Learning Autodesk AliasStudio (former Alias Studiotools) by yourself.

I've decided to upload this topic while remembring how hard was to find some tools to learn Alias Studiotools (I don't know...I prefer to call it with its old name), back in the days when I've decided to change drawing platform without having the chance to do some courses (in Greece there isn't any) and didn't had the time to go in a foreign country.
So after a very good research I recommend this self-courseflow...

First of all by this book: "Learning Design with Alias Studiotools"
In it you'll find everything to learn the interface, how to set up things and teaches you how to draw products (from a table with a lamp on it to a cellular phone and a racing car) with awesome and quick techniques.
So while you draw you learn the program and not just a reference on which button do what without seeing the result.The book also include a DVD with a trial version of the program and four video tutorial.


After that you must buy those two DVDs...

"Modeling Essential with Studiotools"
A DVD for beginners, where you'll learn all the theoretical concepts to understand why the program does what it does (concepts that are applicable for all 3d modeling programs).
After that you'll model side by side with the host a kaleidoscope learning many tricks (after all I think Gnomon Workshop are the best in the market) and render it.A tip from me is to use the workflow (on how to pick functions etc) and the UI of the book and not of the DVD...offcourse the final choice is yours.
Below a preview...

"Product Design Rendering Essentials" Where finally you'll learn how to reder achieving high quality immages to present your products to your clients. Inside are explained theoretical light and materials behavior and offcourse how to setup those and cameras in the program.
Below some snapshots...







Also there are so many free tutorials over the web from designers and design studios (thanks to all of them) but will help only if you are allready familiar with Studio (try to search for Studiotools tutorials or Aliasstudio tutorials etc).
Finally the last advice is that more you'll practice, more better results you'll get. But I think you allready knew that.

links:
Learning Design with Alias Studiotools
Modeling Essential with Studiotools
Product Design Rendering Essentials