Dover Studios released "Maya Shading Networks 2nd Edition," their latest visual effects training video. It's a guide to creating shading networks in Autodesk Maya.

The second edition has been completely revised and updated and features crystal clear 1080p high definition video. It's taught by visual effects artists, Andrew Hazelden and Russell Hazelden.

Topics include: aging a shiny metal surface by adding a layer of tarnish, using the Mental Ray IPR renderer to interactively preview shading networks, creating 2D and 3D procedural textures, adjusting specular highlights, exploring various ways to assign materials to objects, using environment maps to create reflective materials, and adjusting 2D texture placement attributes.

Participant will learn how to use incandescence and glow to simulate materials that emit light. This effect is often used when creating materials for light fixtures, television sets, and glowing hot lava. Participants will also discover how PSD networks can be used to simplify the creation of shading networks that contain multiple file textures.

Advanced topics include: using light linking to control scene illumination, adjusting shader glow normalization values, viewing render statistics in the Maya render log, and utilizing shared nodes to make shading networks simpler to maintain.

For more information visit http://www.DoverStudios.com and watch the free preview. Maya Shading Networks 2nd Edition is available now as a download for US$49.95.