Loklo Media 3D Animation Blog

I believe that there are a lot of blog readers who never venture over to “the other side” of my site – the actual business side, where I offer 3D animation services for Architectural visualization, engineering, process/plant function animations and more. It’s really fun to be able to explain these different designs, and processes in 3D. Not only do I get to work in either Blender or 3DS Max (whichever gets the job done better, often both combined), but I get to actually learn all of the details involved with the system I’m showing.

One of the things that my previous clients love about me is that I’m not just a computer guy. I do love and know a lot about computers – Windows 95 thru 7, Linux, Mac OS X + hardware. I mean, I did go to school for electronics and computers. But I also grew up in the oil and gas industry of central eastern Alberta – so I’m very well acquainted with hands on stuff.

I rebuilt my first car (a 1965 Plymouth Fury III (second “story”)). I worked as a pipefitter and pipeliner as well as hotshot truck driver, small crane operator, and infrequently operated other heavy machinery – and loved it (most of the time). Though I love the computer and 3D stuff better. So when a client says “run some pipe from this building to that skid” – I know that flanges, valves, 90’s etc are needed. I also worked for a couple years as a custom house framer in Calgary – so I know how to swing a hammer and miss my finger. I know what a gable vs cottage roof is, as well as things like fascia, and the underlying structure.

So please head on over to www.loklomedia.com when you need that process or design illustrated. It’s great for print as well as video for either sales, pre-sales, or training purposes.

One of the best (one of the only) magazine for 3D artists is 3D World. It’s a nice thick magazine, that costs $20/month if you buy it at a local stand. Annual subscriptions run at about $120 USD, which actually gets you 13 issues, as they publish a bonus issue in December for subscribers. 3D Worldmag.com

This magazine offers 3D tips, technical specs for new and recommended hardware, reviews, movie making how-tos, and the like. It also contains a great resource CD full of textures, models, light probes, software (some trial, some full versions) and stuff. For most months, the CD is worth more than the cost of the magazine. And at roughly half price for the annual subscription, more than worth it!! The magazine also has a section of a featured 3D modeling or animation tutorial for one of the mainstream apps each issue.

As I use Blender and 3DS Max, they are both featured applications that get plenty of coverage in the magazine. I think I’m going to subscribe very soon.