Online Training Simplified, Organized and Easy Online Videos to Watch!

Written by Siotha on February 29, 2008 – 11:39 am -

Have you noticed how unorganized training sites feel when they have hundreds and thousands of videos. It could take 3 or 4 minutes to get through them. So, Jeremy, my team, and I have been feverishly working on making xTrain better… Just take a look at this quick intro to the site…. (Note: Please login to xTrain before trying the following! It’s free and won’t cost you anything just to sign in and easy to watch the free classes). We’ve worked really hard to make our site logical for the different types of artists – photographer courses are in photography – designer courses are listed in graphic design – internet marketing courses are only in internet marketing sections. How cool is that – we’ve designed the site – so that you choose your training by passion – then by subject – then by topic!

Free Training & Tutorials: Graphic Design, Online Marketing, Photography, Concept Art, Adobe CS3 & more!

Written by Siotha on November 26, 2007 – 10:16 pm -

It’s time for some more free classes isn’t it? Well… Start with these… then… get ready for a new round of free classes for the holidays!

What is Graphic Design?

Have you ever considered a career in Graphic Design? Let the experience of award-winning agency owner and design author Bryan Peterson explain what Graphic Design is.

Course: Design Process Trac: Graphic Design

Attend Preview Instructor: Bryan Peterson

Drawing Fundamentals

In this informative and fun class, tools needed for drawing are introduced. xTrain expert, Ron Lemen, demonstrates everything you need to know, from how to sharpen pencils and use a sanding pad to the differ… More

Course: Drawing Fundamentals Trac: Digital Arts

Attend Preview Instructor: Ron Lemen
Other classes include: Photoshop Drawing, RPG Concept Drawing

Brushes

This class compares and contrasts the look of real media on paper to its digital counterparts in the program. Reviewed are soft media (pastels, oil pastels, charcoal – vine and compressed), and wet media… More

Course: Painter X Trac: Digital Arts

Attend Preview Instructor: Ron Lemen Learners: 1083

What is SEO

Did you know that Search Engine Optimization could increase your site traffic by 200%? Watch world renowned expert,Tony Wright, explain what SEO is!

Course: Search Engine Optimization Trac: Online Marketing

Attend Preview Instructor: Tony Wright

Exposure Modes

The exposure modes on your camera could be the difference between a good picture and a GREAT picture. Photography expert,Rick Sammon, shares his techniques in this interesting and informative class. Explore … More

Course: Digital Photography Hot Shots Trac: Digital Photography

Attend Preview Instructor: Rick Sammon

The Silhouette

Silhouettes can be as dramatic as the people in them. Attend Rick’s free class on how to make great silhouettes.

Course: Digital Photography Hot Shots Trac: Digital Photography

Attend Preview Instructor: Rick Sammon

3-D Whales Experiment

Join Dr. Brown in his Adobe Photoshop Laboratory and supercharge your 3-D skills! Discover how to import 3 dimensional vector art then adjust size, tinker with lighting effects, and manipulate tiny, unsuspec… More

Course: Photoshop Laboratory Trac: Adobe CS3

Attend Preview Instructor: Russell Brown

Animation Experiment

Discover how to quickly edit movie frames in Photoshop CS3 Extended Edition and control timelines with a wave of your hand. To complete your animated masterpiece, investigate* motion blur techniques and even… More

Course: Photoshop Laboratory Trac: Adobe CS3
Attend Preview Instructor: Russell Brown

Black and White Experiments

Don’t touch that vial! To transform your images into black and white, belly up to the workbench in Dr. Brown’s Adobe Photoshop Laboratory! Explore more than a dozen ways to convert images into handsome* blac… More

Course: Photoshop Laboratory Trac: Adobe CS3

Attend Preview Instructor: Russell Brown Learners: 1065

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Portrait Retouching Experiments

Learn the Good, the Bad and yes, even the Ugly of photo retouching in Photoshop CS3. This Photoshop Laboratory will show you the professional techniques to make your facial retouching amazing and realistic… More

Tags: ben willmore, bryan peterson, Classes, concept art, free training, free training & tutorials, Graphic Design, lessons, online learning, Online Marketing, Online Training, photography, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, Ron Lemen, rpg art, Russell Brown, tony wright, tutorials
Posted in 3-D studio, Adobe, Adobe CS3, Animation, Art, Black and White, Classes, Computer, DSLR, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Graphic Design, Graphic Design Training, Illustration, LightRoom Training, Media Marketing, Online Advertising Expert, Online Advertising Training, Online Marketing, Online Marketing Expert, Online Sales Training, Online Training, Orc illustration, Painter X Illustration, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, Professional Learning Community, RPG concept, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, Ron Lemen, Russell Brown, SEO marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Skateboard Deck Design Photoshop, Social Media, Tutuorials, ben willmore, creative training, exercises, experts, free online classes, free photoshop, free training, graphic artists, online PR, painter x, photoshop, photoshop CS3, portrait retouching, skateboard, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain, xtrain geek | No Comments »

Online Training: Digital Photography, Photoshop CS3, Adobe LightRoom

Written by Siotha on November 19, 2007 – 6:07 pm -

Do you have a passion for Photography? How about Photoshop?

xTrain.com is now offering world class training for Digital Photography, Photoshop, Digital SLRs, and all the other tools that a photographer needs to know in order to enhance their craft!

Courses in this trac include:

Digital Photography Hot Shots by Rick Sammon

A comprehensive A-Z digital photography and work flow course about how to select your equipment, accessories how to plan and prep for a shoot. Along the way featured techniques and tips about how to shoot animals, people and nature are all included in this highly inspirational course. There are 6 classes in this course:

Streamlining Your Photograph Handling and Processing using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom by Rob Sheppard

Do you organize your digital photos as well as you did your traditional films? Well, in this class Rob will show you how to easily and cost effectively streamline your organization. Metafiles, Collections, Non-Destructive multi-image editing are all covered in this indepth course on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

Classes in this course include:

Photoshop CS3: Simplified and Easy by Ben Willmore

Have you mastered Photoshop CS3 yet? Why not? This course is for new and experienced Photoshop CS3 users. Ben’s indepth knowledge and comprehensive explanations of the features new to Photoshop will enhance your Photoshop game!

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mastery by Ben Willmore

High Dynamic Range Similates what the eye really sees. In this course, Ben will show you how to shoot, process and artistically enhance photo – sur- realistic images. Each of these four classes will enhance your artistic photography skills..

Photoshop for Photographers: Outdoor & Nature Photography by Rob Sheppard

If you only take nature photographs, then you really need to participate in this course. Photoshop can be very intimidating and has many features a nature photographer might not otherwise use. But Rob will guide you through the steps that every digital photographer who specializes in Outdoor or Nature photography need to know in Adobe’s Photoshop software. (Presented on the PC version of Photoshop!)

Classes include:

Digital Photography & Photoshop for Baby Boomers by Rob Sheppard

Are you new to all things techy? Are you trying to remember what those buttons and gagdets are that your family has said – sure I’ll help you learn to use them… but then it didn’t quite make since what they were talking about? This course is geared for those non-techy who want to improve their digital photography experience including using Adobe’s Photoshop Cs3.

Classes in this course include:

Photoshop Laboratory Free Classes by Russell Brown

Secrets of the newest version of Photoshop are revealed by scientist, Photoshop enthusiast, Guru, Senior Creative Director of Adobe – I mean – Russell Brown! Each of these courses specialize in new features of Adobe Photoshop CS3, or Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended. Topics such as: 3-D, Black and White, Animation, and Portrait Retouching are all entertaining and valuable lessons offered for free!

Tags: Adobe Lightroom Training, Baby Boomer DSLR Training, BAby Boomer Training, CAnon Cameras, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, DSLR training, grandparents photography training, HDR Training, Nature Photography Training, old people training, Olympus Cameras, Online DSLR training, Online Training, Outdoor Photography Training, People Photography Training, Photoshop CS3 Training, Photoshop for retired training, Retired Photographer training
Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Animation, Art, Black and White, Classes, DSLR, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Graphic Design Training, LightRoom Training, Online Training, Painter X Illustration, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, Russell Brown, Tutuorials, ben willmore, creative training, exercises, experts, free online classes, free photoshop, free training, painter x, photoshop, photoshop CS3, portrait retouching, retouching, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 4 Comments »

RPG CONCEPT ART, Online Training – Digital Art with Ron Lemen in Painter X on a Cintiq

Written by Siotha on October 30, 2007 – 2:33 pm -

We posted a new class today. Actually, it’s a class in a series that we are doing in digital Arts.
Traditional Drawing in a Digital Realm. All classes are done by Ron Lemen in this course and we’re really excited that he has chosen xTrain to do these very popular classes.

About the Class: RPG Concept Illustration in Painter X

This class is done in the software program Corel Painter X using a Cintiq (what is that? explanation here ) Ron Lemen produces an illustration of an ORC which is a character from a science fiction/fantasy video game or comic book. Ron first created a storyboard using basic shapes, decided what items to add to the design, and then elaborated on the simple drawing to create a finished piece. According to Ron, this illustration of an ORC would be found in a full color book or Game manual. This would probably interest someone interested in comic book illustration because of the lessons in storyboarding and framing, as well as character posing or movement.

About the Instructor:

Ron Lemen is a graphic and traditional artist. He’s also been a designer and/or creative director for video games like Myst 3, Whacked, Soldier of Fortune 2, and NBA 2006. As a freelance illustrator, he’s worked for companies like Upper Deck, DC Comics, and Hasbro. He’s currently working on a project for Lucas Films ltd. Ron’s teaching style and passion for art will inspire you. And if you like Concept Art, Ron’s classes will teach you to structure your work for commercial use.

Tags: character design, character drawing, comic book illustration, Digital Arts, fantasy genre, fantasy illustration, Online Training, painter x, Painter X Illustration, roll playing game concept art, roll playing game illustration, Ron Lemen, RPG Concept Illusrtation, RPG video games
Posted in Art, Cintiq illustrtations, Classes, Fantasy Book Illustration, Illustration, Online Training, Orc illustration, Painter X Illustration, RPG concept, Ron Lemen, Tutuorials, exercises, experts, internet skateboard, painter x, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 2 Comments »

xTrain.com Learner’s Submissions

Written by Siotha on October 12, 2007 – 6:48 pm -

Today we want to showcase some really cool works by our learners at xTrain.com.

Just so you know – Anyone (with an account at xTrain) is able to submit an exercise (a hands on activity with our classes) or their portfolio pieces for review and commenting by peers and gurus!

Here are some of my fav’s today:

HDR Exercise by William Palank
Exercise File by William Palank for the Enhancement class of HDR Mastery by Ben Willmore

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Exercise File by Laurie - Identity System
Exercise File by Laurie Gardner for the Identity Systems class by Chuck Groth

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portfolio submission © by Scott Slattery

Portfolio submission by: Scott Slattery @2007 Scott

Tags: ben willmore, chuck groth, comments, digital photgrapher, enhancement, exercise, Graphic Design, graphic designer, HDR, High Dynamic Range photography, identity system, laurie gardner, learner profile, Learning buddies, porfolio, questions, ratings, reviews, Scott Slattery Portfolio, william palank, xtrain, xTrain.com
Posted in Art, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Graphic Design, Graphic Design Training, Online Training, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, Web Design, creative training, creative writing professionals, exercises, experts, work, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | No Comments »

Photoshop CS3: Simplified & Easy by Ben Willmore – FREE Class today!

Written by Siotha on October 1, 2007 – 10:35 pm -

Hi guys!

Just wanted to drop you a personal note and let you know Ben Willmore’s Free class has been uploaded to xTrain.com.

It is new and all about the Quick Selection Tool in CS3. I personally don’t know how we ever lived without this tool. No more magic wand guessing what areas or color shades, or color values, simply click and drag over the area you want to select and it “thinks” for you! I love it! So now you need to check out what makes this tool so great, by attending a free xTrain class by Ben Willmore!

Do you think we should put this class on youtube?

Tags: Creating cool pics in Photoshop, Digital Photography, free Ben Willmore, free class, Free tutorial, photoshop, Photoshop made easy, Photoshop Simplified and Easy, Selections in Photoshop, xTrain.com, you tube
Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Model Retouching, Tutuorials, ben willmore, creative training, exercises, photoshop, photoshop CS3, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 2 Comments »

HDR Mastery Course – AMAZING Photographs

Written by Siotha on September 25, 2007 – 10:14 pm -

Have you seen Ben Willmore’s HDR Mastery course yet?

I found 2 awesome exercises that our learners submitted through xTrain. I am very excited to show them off, I hope they don’t mind. They’re Beautiful!

HDR exercise submitted by xTrain Learner
Copyright Brent Williams, member online community of xTrain.com

xTrain exercise submitted by xTrain learner
Copyright April Andrews, xTrain.com community member

I just want to add, that Ben Willmore did a great job with the High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mastery course. We look forward to his upcoming courses, hint hint…

- PS – These are real photographs processed with HDR techniques! If you want to learn this technique from one of the world’s foremost photographers please check out: www.xTrain.com

Tags: ben willmore, cool hdr photographs, HDR images, HDR Mastery, hdr mastery ben willmore, HDR photorealism, HDR processing, High dynamic range mastery, photomatix
Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Art, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, Tutuorials, ben willmore, creative training, exercises, experts, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 2 Comments »

Digital Photography: So Easy my Toddler Can Do It!

Written by Siotha on September 24, 2007 – 1:20 am -

My 3-Year old has officially mastered the iPhone.

She can do more than most people who are just taking it for a test drive. Here’s the list:

She can unlock the phone, including 4 digit code
She can play “numbers” with the calculator
She can change the ring tone. (No help from mommy or daddy!)
She can navigate, enlarge and view pictures in the camera rolls on the iPhone
And.. She can take better pictures than me with the digital camera!

So. After all the training we have at xTrain I found myself oohing and ahhing over the composition, focus and how did my daughter take that picture. You see, she was trying to take a picture of her Gerber daisies she received from Mommy & Daddy for being such a big girl at Pee-Wee Cheer leading.

So here ya go.. Enjoy… My daughter’s picture

iPhone pic by toddler

Daddy says we need to Photoshop this to make it even better. But my thing is – my daughter composed and took this picture without any help from us. I was on the computer and dad was in another room. Why Photoshop something when it’s preciousness is that she was able to work the camera on the iPhone so easily she can take good pics!

Tags: , Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, gerber daisies, iphone calculator, iPhone camera, iPhone mastery by Toddler, iPhone Photo, iphone photos gallery, iphone ringtones, Toddler digital Photo, Toddler Photography
Posted in Cell Phones, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, exercises, photoshop, photoshop CS3, retouching | No Comments »

What is Online Training? (part 1)

Written by Siotha on September 15, 2007 – 10:38 pm -

Lately my post popular questions are:

What is Online Training?
Is it as effective as In Person Training, is it possibly as good as College?
What is “After Market Training”?
Who is an xPert with xTrain?

Well today I want to start with my philosophy of online training. There are many professors, many xPerts many reports on the subject and all of wich are great… but… can be a bit over informative. So let’s get started. I like the KISS method: Keep It Simple Stupid.

What is Online Training, with xTrain.com?

Easy. The best thing about online training with xTrain, is that there are 3 basic steps:

Enroll

Attend + Participate (Learning isn’t one with out the other)

Take the quiz for our Certificate

Learn at your pace. We’ve hand selected Xperts to teach you. Now, with the internet you can learn at home, at work, on the road, in your pajamas and at YOUR pace. Each of our classes are broken down in to small segments, small enough to complete a concept, but large enough to keep you interested.
Show off your talent. With the age of interactive media upon us, we have set a high standard of participation.
- Profiles announce who you are, and what you are doing with xTrain.
- Exercises are custom designed for your interactivity with the class. We want to see what your work is!
- Peers, Faculty & Guru Reviews of exercises are a vital part of our community. This not only facilitates the feedback process but also opens up dialogs between users across the room, state, country, and world!
- Portfolios are for your polished work. We know how important it is to show off your talents – whether for personal respect, job changes, or project bids. Use our portfolio section for peer, guru and faculty reviews, revisions and respect! Oh – and I have a secret…. Portfolios are SOOOO important to our creatives we’re going to be vamping & setting a cutting edge pace for portfolios in the near future!
- Oh – and may I please ask a favor? As tempting as it may be to be harsh to your fellow learner because you are not face to face – please don’t use the commenting features to be mean! We love you guys, and want our community to be fun and friendly!
Read more »

Posted in Online Training, Portfolios, creative training, exercises, xPert, xPert Training, xtrain | No Comments »

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