Photoshop for Game Artists Todd Gantzler has released an excellent new course exploring Photoshop techniques for game development. Areas of focus include coloring concept art, creating tiling textures, painting environments, working with texture maps, and even texturing characters. A wide range of Photoshop tools and techniques are explored, such as vector shapes, custom brushes, time-saving actions, and layer masks. You'll also learn how to apply fundamentals of art, color, and composition to your work. As you work, you'll test your Photoshop art in Maya, an industry-standard 3D modeling program (prior Maya experience not required).
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Dynamic Web Development with PHP Renowned PHP teacher Janet Valade has authored a wonderful new class exploring how to build dynamic Web site features using PHP and MySQL. Working step-by-step, students learn how to: set up and configure a Web site and development site for PHP development; design and build a MySQL database and write basic SQL queries; write basic PHP scripts to collect and process information from forms, troubleshoot and fix common PHP scripting errors; write scripts to store information in a database; and display dynamic information on multiple pages within a site. more

Web Design I update Web design supremo Christopher Schmitt has released a 2008 update to the Web Design I course. Students learn a systematic professional approach to Web design, using site maps, wireframes, HTML/CSS layouts, comps, color palettes, usability tests, and other tools and concepts to make sure their designs hit the mark. Students entering this class are expected to have a basic competence in HTML/CSS design, Photoshop or Fireworks, and Dreamweaver. Building upon those skills, students will complete four portfolio projects that challenge their Web design skills and build an understanding of how to manage Web design projects in a professional context. more

Photoshop Basics update Digital imaging expert Dr. Taz Tally has released a 2008 update to the Photoshop Basics course. Students get a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere digital imaging program for graphic and digital designers. The course kicks off with the basics of the Photoshop interface and quickly gets you working on hands-on projects based on real-world design scenarios. You'll learn to choose and use the best tools for common Photoshop jobs including silhouetting, exposure correction, retouching, layering, setting typography, and creating image composites. more