Is Cineversity worth it?

[LucentDreams]

No courses as of yet, its a large collection of video tutorials of two types. Video Manual type videos explaining simply how tools work or what all the settings of an object does. much easier to see than a manual, and definitely more thorough.

the second Type are project tutorials, theres only a few right now, but they are adding constantly.

As for whether its worth it or not, get the free account at least, gets you access to basic videos and you will find as more and more r10 stuff comes out a lot of the older R9 stuff will likely become free too. Its not as specifically indepth in modules compared to say 3dfluff and the likes.

[Delinos]

Hi
I have been using it for 6 months or so and I really have learned a lot. It's good for a reference and to get some ideas how tools can be used in other ways. Easily pays for itself when it comes to learning new stuff. Some courses would be nice to have in the future.

Cheers
Anders

[gildattack]

i've been wondering the same thing. i'm actually waiting for a more 'complete' set of tutorials on CA. I would absolutely go for something from start to end (a proyect based tut), covering in depth CA. The moment i see it online i'll suscribe for sure.

[seco7]

I purchased a month or so ago, right after R10 was announced thinking that it would be a good way to get up to speed quickly with R10. But I have found it much more than that. One interesting aspect I didn't expect was it showed me how set in my ways I am. There are always many ways of doing the same thing, but we (at least I) tend to get comfortable with a certain process and stick to it. Actually seeing (video tutorials) other (much more skilled) users attacking the same problems using completely different techniques has been very beneficial.

That's my experience thus far.

Steve

[spirozero]

I guess I've always wondered - why pay so much for online tutorials when there's free tutorials to be found on sites like C4DPortal & C4DCafe?

To be fair, I've never really explored much of Cineversity (I have a hard time finding my way around the site!). So, maybe it's really worth the price as some have said?

[s66]

If you are an experienced C4D user AND an experienced 3d artist, maybe not. Otherwise
yes, it is very worth the money. The price is very competitive and the content is high
quality. Right now it is more, if you push X, then Z will happen type tutorials which can
be very valuable when the toolset is as deep as C4D but in the future I hope they add more
project based or skill based tutorials, more like Gnomon I realize Gnomon is a different niche at $70 / DVD but it would be great if Cineversity could add 1 or 2 comparable tutorials a
year.

-Sadato

[Continuumx]

I would prefer a pay as you go where I could pay for 10 or 20 lessons at a time or something so I can really be specific as to what I want to learn and when.

[PresNevins]

The USD100/year subscription feels more than reasonable, but honestly the USD300 entrance fee has had me procrastinating since Cineversity was announced. If it were just a straight 100 per year rate then I'd already be signed up.

I keep looking at the site to see what they've got. I guess I'm also waiting for more CA-/rigging-/skinning-related tutorials to boost me over that first price hurdle.

[belushy]

I have a slow download here in vienna (not why my connections is weak;cable )
an it thakes a while to view it and there is no way to save it an look an it later

i would prefer a DVD version of it or the posibility to save it
maby with Qtime an an Mediakey for Copyright or as Podcast

thats my main argument not having purchased the full version

my 2cents
belushy

although the tuorials are great so i might overthink it in a while

[LucentDreams]

i've been wondering the same thing. i'm actually waiting for a more 'complete' set of tutorials on CA. I would absolutely go for something from start to end (a proyect based tut), covering in depth CA. The moment i see it online i'll suscribe for sure.

does the entire project need to be up all at once ;)

Its coming. The first rigging tutorial series probably won't catch much peoples attention but the Second one is Ithink what most people are waiting for.

the constraint series started goign up, only the basics (again that clickign X does this kinda thing) The second half is waiting on some technical edits.

For each individual the content will vary. one thing i will mention is the benefit for studios. Its the easiest way for a studio to hire say a max or maya user and get them up to snuff ASAP without your other artists slowing down to catch them up.

[gildattack]

hi kai,
Great to know those tuts are coming. Are they related to a project?? Or they are separate tuts focusing on diferent tools??

[LucentDreams]

well you'll see a few on tools go up late today, just very short ones on joint tool joint object and the 3 IK solvers.

The ones I'm referring to are actual project based. Rigging two separate characters (with a third complex one planned down the road) The first one is a stickman with very basic control as he's got no hands etc. The second is a Ninja character originally designed for my old r9 book.

Reminds me one other thing you will get with cineversity is goodies, Script sets and the likes. The first series done by Rick, are already available, check out his video. http://www.cineversity.com/tutorials/lesson.asp?tid=516

I have a set that hopefully will be able to go up with the Advanced constraints series, though due to limitations of the coffee SDK, won't be quite as robust as I hoped. A set of scripts to help setup constraints a little easier.

[Jeff Warden]

So is Cineversity worth it? Are there actual courses or is it just a collection of video tutorials?

I've been using C4D for five years, but exclusively as an illustration tool after model making in Rhino. I'm digging into Cinema for real now, and the Cineversity tutorials are an excellent resource.

[StructAural]

I was just thinking of signing up but am quite stunned by the price. It's certainly out of my price range and most hobbyists I know. Seems a bit overpriced to be honest (over 250 euros to sign up!) considering the lack of Cinema 4d documentation out there or supplied with the software.

[Martypapa]

I'm still a beginner when it comes to C4D, but as I'm already using what I know to enhance my projects in 2D, the Cineversity fee of $299 has paid itself back many times already.

I watch 3-4 videos a day and have found numerous ways of doing what little I do in C4D better and more structured - and at the same time gradually building up my competences for when I'm able to jump in and do full 3d projects.

For me those videos works like a charm. But if I were only using the application for hobby purposes I probably wouldn't feel the urge to spend that amount of money. I'd probably pick up one or two books instead.

[StanrickKubley]

As someone working primarily in other programs but trying to migrate to Cinema, I have to say the dearth of training materials is a negative. One could get the impression that, say, sophisticated character setups simply can't be done in Cinema 4D (which thanks to Kai I know is far from true). It's a shame that Cineversity has to cost so much up front. Teaching would seem to be the best marketing a company like Maxon could do. My two cents.

The Utopian tutorial set IMO would include, first, an overview of approaches. For instance, do you want to link the arm and clavicle to the spine using joints or constraints (broken hierarchy) and how to do either? Then tutorials for individual parts: spine, arm, leg, tail, wing. These should show basic setups and complex setups with IK/FK, bendable limbs, scripts for controlling finger curls and toe and heel pivots, and so forth. Then a section showing various ways to control faces. Some good supplemental then would be a section for dynamics in the rig (like a dynamic ponytail for example) and deformations based on animation (like wrinkles around joints).

(Osipa provides a free script that, once you have your morphs constructed as per his specifications, does all the scripting and controls for you. A Cinema version of this would be sweet.)

[LucentDreams]

fabian's shared a nearly automated stop staring setup. and honestly with vamp as I show in my course you can practically eachange his actual included face morphs to your model with minor defects.

The kind of tutorial coverage your asking for is a lot of time, work and cost if one was to do a series like that they'd be charging serious costs for a Dedicated DVD. If was to do something liek that it would be bare minimum a $60+ book or $100 DVD. Compare that to 300 for your first year, which I might add for most users their year long commitement saw 40+ new tutorials created since they first joined.

[StanrickKubley]

Sorry, I accidentally created a bit of a non sequitur. I meant the first two things, the cost of Cineversity and the desire to have the tutorials I mentioned as seperate statements, not that I expect the tutorials for free. Having said that, it would be nice if those tutorials were available for Cinema 4D in ANY form.

P.S.: Didn't know about the Fabian tutorial. Downloading it now.

[StructAural]

What would be nice for the skint ones amongst us, would be if some tuts could be bought individually as personally only 50% of the tuts would be applicable to me, for instance.

I still want to join Cineversity but it'll have to be in a while, I can't justify that money unfortunately, at the moment (I'm a new father and my wife is a full time mum) - though I'm going to see if my company can...

[heathivan]

I am a subscribed user of Cineversity. But leaning towards learning CA. . .I do not find it worth the cost. The tutorials are a bit too simplistic. I had hoped for timeline management and key-framing tips. A response in this thread from 11-30-2006 said CA tutorials are coming. And yet as of today there is not one animated, or even rigged 3d character to be viewed anywhere in the tutorials. Most of what you'll see is akin to demonstrated bullet points from the manual.

I believe the $$$ could be invested in better advanced training, but again, I'm only really interested in the CA.

my 2 cents

---h

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