Category: Essential SKILLS


  • Learn Alias and VRED at home: Autodesk releases Alias and VRED Learning Editions

    What they are, how they work, who can access What kind of Learning Edition software is Autodesk releasing? Both Alias and VRED are releasing Learning Editions. They’re meant to increase access to our software. This provides users the time to really get to know the programs and finesse their skills. We’ve heard from a lot […]


  • Hands-on Introduction to SubD Modeling, Part 2: Hybrid Modelling in Alias

    What This Is             This series covers Alias ESSENTIAL SKILLS in a 2-part video series: In this series, our own John Hartigan introduces you to SubD Modeling by walking through the creation of a simple model – our Monster – to present the tools in a clear and accessible way. Who It’s For            Beginners in Alias, […]


  • Essential SKILLS: Getting started with Alias

    5-part video series for beginners Part 1: Introduction to Alias User Interface Part 2: Fundamental Alias tools In this five-part series, our own Rich Mazza introduces you to the fundamentals of Alias. Think of this as getting a lay of the land, a high-level overview of the Alias User Interface and the key tools you’ll […]


  • Learn from the experts: Real-time visualization (OpenGL) in VRED

    This 4-part YouTube tutorial series focuses on real-time visualization (OpenGL) in VRED. Automotive designer Christian Woefel shares tips and tricks for setting up and optimizing your VRED scenes for better performance. The videos explain the necessary trade-offs to get the best possible render quality while maintaining smooth, real-time interaction with the scene in VRED. Watch […]


  • The Alias workbench: Kerry Kingston’s Alias training videos

    Learning Alias Back in the day, designer and Alias expert Kerry Kingston created a slew of Alias training videos that she hosted at www.aliasworkbench.com. The decision to call the site a “workbench” was a deliberate one: Kerry wanted the videos to reflect the lived experience of designers (which can be messy, with a short attention […]


  • Taking Alias to the next level – a webinar

    On July 21st, the Alias team hosted a webinar to share some tips on using a few Alias tools: Working in a team environment and working with Engineering information via Reference Manager Exploring the Surface Continuity Locator improvements Reviewing enhancements to the Align Tool Check out this replay, complete with demos, below. Stay tuned for […]


  • Behind the scenes with Mike Turner, S03 E04: Exterior imaging — adding motion

    In episode 03 of his third VRED series, Mike Turner goes deeper into raytraced rendering and covers the basics as well as an overview of VRED options and how hardware/software is evolving. In episode 04, Mike shows you how to add basic motion within an environment to convey a sense of dynamism and speed – […]


  • Behind the scenes with Mike Turner, series 03, episode 04: Exterior imaging – adding motion in VRED

    In episode 03 of his third VRED series, Mike Turner goes deeper into raytraced rendering and covers the basics as well as an overview of VRED options and how hardware/software is evolving. In episode 04, Mike shows you how to add basic motion within an environment to convey a sense of dynamism and speed – […]


  • Behind the scenes with Mike Turner, series 03, episode 03: The basics of raytraced interior rendering in VRED

    In episode 02 of his third VRED series, Mike Turner takes us through interior rendering and VR set-up, offering some great tips for optimizing scenes to perform well with less than less-than-state-of-the-art hardware. In episode 03, Mike goes deeper into raytraced rendering and covers the basics as well as an overview of VRED options and […]


  • Getting started with Alias, parts 3-5: Marking menus, hotkeys, preferences

    5-part video series for beginners Part 3: Introduction to Marking Menus Part 4: Using Hot Keys Part 5: Saving and Exporting Preferences In this five-part series, our own Rich Mazza introduces you to the fundamentals of Alias. Think of this as getting a lay of the land, a high-level overview of the Alias User Interface […]


  • Hands-on introduction to subD modeling, part 1: Creating the basic elements

    What This Is These tutorials cover Alias Essential Skills in a 2-part video series: In this series, our own John Hartigan introduces you to SubD Modeling by walking through the creation of a simple model – our Monster – to present the tools in a clear and accessible way. Who It’s For Beginners in Alias, […]


  • Behind the scenes with Mike Turner: Interior rendering & VR set-up in VRED

    In episode 01 of his third VRED series, Mike Turner gives us an overview of DGDesign’s history with public transportation design and shares some of the work they’ve done. In episode 02, Mike turns to interior rendering and VR set-up. He discusses his experiences with interior design visualization in VRED and has some great tips […]


  • Learn from the experts: High-end visualization in FullGI with Toby Lee

    The Expert CGI Artist Toby Lee didn’t plan on a career in automotive design. He envisioned a career in the gaming industry and pursued that training. But when he modeled a car for part of his study, he discovered the passion for automotive design and redirected his energy and talent. We asked Toby to do […]


  • Getting the most from Alias Help: A conversation with Alias Help expert Randal Ellwood

    We’ve seen your engagement with our learning and training tools, both here at the Design Studio Blog and via our LinkedIn channels. So Autodesk Chief of Staff Blake Avery and I sat down with Randall Ellwood, Principal Content Developer, to talk about Alias Help. You can listen to the podcast here: Alias Help Basics What […]


  • Top half of frame is a white man in VR goggles moving VR hand controls. Bottom half of frame is interior view of a bulldozer cab and control panels.

    Behind the scenes with Mike Turner: LiuGong industry case Study

    Last year, we watched DGDesign Senior Designer Mike Turner explore backplates, data import, and specialized backgrounds. This year, we’re moving off highway for insight into design work supporting large, off-highway vehicle design. Episode 01 goes behind the scenes at DGDesign to hear about a small range of bulldozers, a battery electric vehicle concept, and a […]