Cover picture of this month issue is also subject of next chapter in Armoured Beast series. This outstanding armoured Polar Bear is created by Borislav Kechashki and he showed us how we can create something similar. In this issue Gavin talks us through how to how to create believable textures for our characters. We wrap the series up next month when Gavin will be showing us how to pose and render our models. Cyborgs series brings another tutorial where Andrzej Sykut continues to show us how to create realistic models and how to integrate them into to our photographs. Really interesting is that, this month’s subject matter is influenced by Matrix. 

A new issue of 3D Artist magazine is launched and it should be already being prepared to sale. 116 pages are covered with texturing tuition, character design tips, animation advice, 50 tips for going freelance, plus loads more. If you’re a Blender user, you’ll love Lech Sokolowski’s step-by-step guide to creating realistic arch vis in Blender. Meanwhile, Richard Pritchard returns to provide the second, and final, part of our character design and development guide. In it he talks texture painting in Mari, rendering options, plus more. Issue 38′s masterclass focuses on editing techniques for 3D animation. Richard Culver explains how to apply the theories of cinematography to improve your animation. 

The leading visual effects software developer The Foundry announced a discount in excess of 95% on their professional VFX software solutions for the educational sector – both students hoping to make their career in VFX and the teachers and institutions who train them.

The new licensing policy provides options for students to use NUKEX, MARI and HIERO (once released) for the duration of their studies for just $250 (€180) per year!  Institutions and teaching staff are also now eligible for more than 95% off list price ensuring courses can teach their students on the most up to date versions of our high end software, providing their students with the best possible preparation for work. 

Portal 3DArtist has extended daeadline for their competition where is possible to win AMD graphics card and a copy of 3D software modo 501 for Mac or PC. How to join to this competition is very simple. You have to send a high-res 3D image from your portfolio but note that modo must have been used for at least part of the workflow. (A free 30-day trial of the software is available from Luxology’s website.) The new deadline for all entries is 17 February 2012.