mental ray
Training Information

mental images^® is now offering three separate tracks of mental ray^® training classes from its Training and Consulting Services. On the main mental images site, see mental ray Training and Consulting. This class is the first in the programmer track, the 400-level classes.

401 - Writing mental ray Shaders

This class offering is intended for programmers, who are familiar with scripting languages, scene file formats, etc., and the C programming language. This class, named Writing mental ray Shaders, covers mental ray in breadth and depth giving many examples of various types of shaders in mental ray. You will also learn about .mi scene files and Phenomena, as they provide the foundation for our shader programming context. We prefer that students for this class have facility with text editors, and command line execution, to keep the class moving.

The outline of this class, Writing mental ray shaders follows a visual-oriented presentation, after basic foundational structure has been introduced. In fact, each introductory class in the various levels follow this same pattern:

• Structure - scene, shaders, and usage
• Color
• Light
• Shape
• Space
• Image
• Implementation
• Illumination Models
• Style, Convention and Debugging

Prerequisites

The minimum requirements for taking the class include:

1. Experience using mental ray in one of the 3D applications (Maya, XSI, 3ds max, etc.).
2. Knowledge of scripting language or common CG scene file format idioms:
   • Variable declaration and type definition
   • Control structures: conditional flow, loops
   • Function definition
   • Data types for arguments or data in a file
   • Structs: pointer syntax, field access
   • Compilation, linking and definition of shared libraries.
3. Reasonable proficiency with a text editor and command-line tools.

Cost

The cost of the training course is $1500.00 US for the LA class, or 1150 Euros for the London class. It includes a personal use license of standalone mental ray. If you are a student or an intern, please contact us for potential discounts. We will accept major credit cards and Company Checks.

General Training Program Information

Our training program contains separate tracks of classes, each track targeting artists, TDs or programmers. We created an introductory class series of single-day classes for artists who use mental ray, and desire a better understanding of how it works within applications. For TDs or technically-oriented artists, we created a comprehensive three-day class for those who wish to extend the capability of mental ray through Phenomena development. And for programmers with knowledge of C/C++, we offer a three-day introductory class for shader writing.

Training through this program is typically application independent, however we will usually have your application of preference available for use during the class. We use standalone mental ray for almost all of the exercises for developing Phenomena or writing shaders. However, in the "Using mental ray" series, we primarily stay within the application, so we need to match the student's preferred application with our system preparation for class.

Where

Except for a temporary relocation to Digital Domain's training facility in Spring 2007, the mental ray training classes will be held at RFX in Hollywood, CA. We are also holding them at Escape Studios in London. Please contact Bart if you are interested in on-site training at your production facility.

When

September 2007

Class 401 - Writing mental ray Shaders
Mon-Wed., TBD, 10AM-6PM

How

To sign up for a class, please call Becky Tredway, the CFO/COO of mental images, inc. at (415) 377-9296, or send an email request to training@mental.com. Please include your full name, phone number, and other pertinent contact information.