Lightwave 3D 5.6
Wrap-up of the Hands-on Workshops
in Minneapolis/St. Paul
August 1 - 10, 1998
The Minneapolis series of hands-on workshops was quite successful. This was the only city where the Organic Modeling and Character Animation series was not offered. Instead, the photorealism workshops on Lighting & Camera Techniques and Surfacing Techniques followed Essentials and Advanced Techniques.
Participants came from the following states:
Class sizes were similar to previous cities, small enough for personal attention from Bob and large enough for meaningful interaction with other LightWave animators:
| LightWave 3D Essentials | 11 students |
| Advanced LightWave 3D Techniques | 12 students |
| Advanced Lighting & Camera Techniques | 8 students |
| Advanced Surfacing Techniques | 5 students |
Evaluations for each workshop asked the following question:
To what extent did this workshop meet your expectations overall?
| Results: | Low | 3% (See note) |
| About what I expected | 20% | |
| Exceeded my expectations | 77% |
Note: One evaluation indicated low. This was in the Advanced LightWave 3D Techniques class by a student who had previously taken Advanced Lighting & Camera Techniques, Advanced Surfacing Techniques, Organic Modeling & Character Animation Essentials, and Intermediate Organic Modeling & Character Animation from Bob in another city earlier this year. This student mentioned that there was significant overlap between previous classes and Advanced LightWave 3D Techniques. Taking the workshops in this order was a result of scheduling and family connections in the Twin Cities area. When students have taken the workshops in the suggested order, there has not been anyone whose expectations were not met in 1998. Some people might think that one low evaluation in over 250 this year is no big deal but we take evaluations seriously as they help us plan for future Washburn Workshops and maintain the quality you have come to expect.
Some comments from the LightWave 3D Essentials workshop:
"This was a very good introductory course on the use of LightWave 3D." -MRJ, Software Engineer, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi
"Overall a super class. The labs make it superb."
"Very easy to follow & the overall coverage of the software is a great start."-KP, Animator/Graphic Artist, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
"Bob really investigated what we were going to use LW for and spun his tutorial of the tools around us."-RBB, VIS Engineer, SSC, Mississippi
"It's a lot to swallow each day."
"I'm a 3D novice. This class delivered as far as teaching me the fundamentals."
"Great workshop. I learned more in 3 days than I would in a month on my own."
"Biggest problem is that I did not spend enough time preparing before the class." NOTE: We strongly recommend that all students in this class at least attempt the Modeler and Layout tutorials in your LightWave user's manual before attending.
Some comments from the Advanced LightWave 3D Techniques workshop:
"All of my 3D training has been self taught. This class made a world of difference." -MD, Broadcast Designer, Minneapolis, Minnesota
"Excellent. I will be back for more."
"I can't wait to attend my next workshop. I got everything I expected out of my time here...and then some!" -GC, 3D Animator, El Paso, Texas
"Bob is funny & keeps things interesting & upbeat."
"Exceptional."
"Covered a lot of material - at the right pace. Bob makes the class very enjoyable. He is an excellent instructor and I feel very fortunate to have him as an instructor." -MJB, Manufacturing Engineer, Minneapolis, Minnesota
"I liked the hands-on computer time." -GLW, Electronics Engineer, Corona, California
"After visiting the Washburn web site, I didn't think the class could be THAT good. Bob outdid my every expectation!"
Some comments from the Advanced Lighting & Camera Techniques workshop:
"I like the speed of the class. We covered a lot of material." -GC, 3D Animator, El Paso, Texas
"I liked the depth of information."
"Bob did his usual great job in this class. It made me look forward to each day of class." -MJB, Manufacturing Engineer, Minneapolis, Minnesota
"The subject was fun. I enjoyed working with camera angles in the scenes."
"I liked the examples that applied the techniques."
Some comments from the Advanced Surfacing Techniques workshop:
"I liked the lab time."
"I liked the molten metal morphing into the poor old cow."
"Wonderful. It feels good to progress over the basics into more complicated surfaces. Bob is a great instructor. I have thoroughly enjoyed these 4 classes." -MJB, Manufacturing Engineer, Minneapolis, Minnesota
"I liked Bob's depth of knowledge and advice."