For those who have been hoping for a conference here in the USA, I am excited to announce that the Kingsport Art Guild will be hosting a 2nd day Blender Conference here in scenic Kingsport, Tennessee on August 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, 2008. This conference will include mini work shops and tutorials on various intermediate and advanced techniques used in Blender. Much of the focus will be on some of the newer features of version 2.46.

For example Matt Runion will be presenting on the new particle hair system . We also will have a segment from Allen Davis, who was a Character Artist at the Disney Design Group in Disney World Orlando! He currently is the 3D artist and animator for Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. The conference will cost $60 for both days for registration postmarked on or before July 15, 2008. Late registration will be $75. If you are interested in providing one of the short talks, on some aspect of Blender in which you have some expertise, Please contact me at [email protected] or call me at [U.S.A] (423) 863-2864 and let me know. If your presentation is accepted the cost of the conference will be waived for you.

Also due to requests for another Basics Blender class, I will be teaching a 3 Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on June 14, 28 and July 12, 2008 for those who are interested. The classes will cover the basics of the interface, modeling, materials, texturing, rendering, animation, character modeling, rigging, skinning, vertex keys, actions, NLA editor and offset bones. All three classes will be $120 with a discount of $10 if registration is postmarked by June 1, 2008, and will be held in room 228 at the Renaissance Center. Although this class is open to anyone, it is especially designed for those who want to get up to speed with the basics before the Blender Conference. Again if interested please feel free to contact me at [email protected] .

Thanks

Byron