lyndacom

This course introduces the features of the V-Ray 2.0 rendering engine and demonstrates how to extend the range of Maya with its state-of-the-art tools, such as irradiance mapping, fur and hair textures and shaders, and stereoscopic 3D rendering. The course covers critical concepts such as creating basic materials, image sampling, color mapping, subdivs, and lighting, as well as the Render Elements, RT, and physical rendering workflows in V-Ray. Exercise files are included with the course.

In Visio 2010 Essential Training, Microsoft Certified Professional David Edson shows how to create a wide variety of diagrams with this popular data visualization tool. The course starts off with a tour of the Visio 2010 interface, then demonstrates the ins and outs of creating the most common type of Visio diagrams, connected diagrams. With this foundation in place, the course then shows how to use Visio's tools to make more complex diagrams, including brainstorming diagrams, organizational charts, timelines and calendars, and data-driven pivot diagrams. Exercise files are included with the course.

Accessibility on the web has been an issue for over a decade, and it remains a crucial--but often overlooked--element of web design. Instructor Zoe Gillenwater explains the concept of accessibility as it applies to the web, and describes how it affects the audience. She also covers how to set up accessibility testing, and how to apply accessibility principles to new and existing sites using standards-compliant markup and CSS. Exercise files accompany the tutorials.

In Web Site Planning and Wireframing: Hands-On Training, Laurie Burruss, director of digital media at Pasadena City College, demonstrates the essentials of creating a web site with a polished, professional appearance and a compelling user experience. The goal of this hands–on course is to deconstruct a web site’s home page in order to identify its structural elements and feature set. Using Acrobat Pro and the web developer’s toolkit, Laurie shows how to capture a homepage and create, in another layer, its visual framework (wireframe). Exercise files and a downloadable PDF quiz accompany the course.