Hello everyone!
I am thinking of taking classes to become a better tech artist, money is not a issue, and preferably any sort of online master classes would be great, figure if you where training a TA from the ground up what classes would you suggest?
What kind of TA/TD do you wanna be?
Develop tools, scripts, UIs, shaders, rigs, pipeline etc…
Go to the tech art bootcamp at GDC, and also make sure to hang at the tech artists (and tech animators) roundtables.
@seforin: share your experience if you attend tech classes !
A lot of knowledge can be found on www.gdcvault.com , but most of the presntations are already posted on this forum. Just do a search on gdc.
EDIT: I just reminded myself that there is http://www.riggingdojo.com/
Hey thank you VERY much. The rigging dojo is a excellent resource!
To be very short, I am currently trying to expand past my 3D skills/semi tech in engine game skills and shift into more tools and pipeline stuff. While still keeping a strong foundation of in game based stuff (shaders and VFX when im allowed)
Anyway, my studio is essentially a very heavy maya based studio so rigging dojo has alot to offer ,with what I was already learning privately…some outside resources suggested I learn some of the following.
c# (a must have)
Python (Great for tools and maya based)
-Introduction to object oriented programming (c based preferred)
-Introduction to database programming/management
-Hlsl based programming
-Glsl Based programming
I am currently enrolled with online courses for python that have given me a great direction since I already had a basic understanding of it. When classes end in nov I want to make my next shift.
But anywho to answer your question dgovil, my job wants me to be the main TA so I need to do everything that could be a possibility (hello full plate of work!) in the future, so I wouldnt rule out UI general tool development either.
And not to forget. The best learning source is tech-artists.org
If you have any questions, just make a topic 
Many amazing people on this forum ready to help out.
I havent got the cash flow yet to grab it but chad’s stuff on cgcircuit looks might awesome. Also riggingdojo. Not been a student there but their facebook and twitter is usually filled with good stuff to check out. Plus they were sponsoring Jeremy Ernst’s UI tutorials too. (which are another must check out)
Not sure how they’ve held up over the years but Jason Schlieffer’s DVDs were always pretty useful back in the day.
http://jasonschleifer.com/
<shameless>
Plugs:
MoBu Python: Py Scripting MoBu0
Maya Python Dev: Power Python Dev for Maya
</shameless>
Definitely grab Jason’s stuff 
man all this info has been great guys, definitely a great place to get a idea /start from. Right now im doing some courses on coursera.org, so once I wrap that up I would love to see how to integrate a python language into maya and practical TA uses of it. After which I will be partaking of classes in the rigging dojo and see what cgcircuit has to offer at the time. its going to be a interesting year. Thank you everyone for the continued input!
Hello all, I am just dropping in to report some updates. I have been taking the Coursea.org courses For introduction to python, to learn the syntax language of it (which I have a little solid of a understanding at this point) But , I feel that I still dont have a solid enough of a understanding to actually use it for anything in particular. I know its a powerful tool if I wanted to create stuff for maya…But I dont really understand how I translate what I do in python to maya just yet…is there some resources or sites anyone would recommend if Im trying to transition from just learning the syntax language of python to actually doing something useful with it? Im sorry if alot of these questions seems a bit newbish , Im coming from a heavy engine background understanding with nodes/triggers etc, to doing real tech art with code! @_@
I’d suggest looking at CG Talk. But really the best way to learn about hands on implementation of Python within an app (imho) is to just jump in and have a go. Find a fairly straightforward maya problem and then have a go at doing a tool for it. The help files should be good enough to get you started.
Along with CG Talk, I also suggest picking up Maya Python for Games and Film. Probably give you an understanding of python and maya plus its written by some of the people on the website.
Just a little update , I received the book in the mail yesterday, this is exactly what I wanted as a start guide Thank you again for the recommendation 
Wish me luck , im going to be doing math soon! D:
[QUOTE=seforin;19104]Just a little update , I received the book in the mail yesterday, this is exactly what I wanted as a start guide Thank you again for the recommendation 
Wish me luck , im going to be doing math soon! D:
[/QUOTE]very good book the real fun begins with the introduction of OOP in this book and the Human Class example is great, at times continuing this book I have read some other books like Expert Python Programming (another great book), however, in Maya Python book, I have reached chapter 8 but seriously disappointed it has very less content to educate about qt and PyQt, contributed by Kristine Middlemiss, I was very confused yesterday to which sdk to download or where to get qt designer as shown in the AU Masterclass : Oh My, Maya is Qt! which is again by Kristine. I would appreciate if someone can link me some dojo to build GUI using qt and then what and how am i supposed to say thats PyQt?, yesterday night i discovered PyQt is managed by riverbankcomputing so getting PyQt is different then getting Qt SDK or Qt Designer.
Hey seforin I hope you enjoy our book!
As for PyQT. You should check out Nathans site here: http://nathanhorne.com/ He has been compiling the files needed for PyQT. The files for Maya 2011-2013 are on his site for download. QT has a bit of a learning curve to get the whole thing started but Nathan has a tutorial to start out here: http://nathanhorne.com/?p=451 Unfortunately we were not able to add all this information to the book but at least Nathan put this up.
Ryan
Hello Ryan later i came across with Nathan’s site you mentioned, and spent some time learning from it and many different resources including QT Documentation. I madethis standalone application. Just out of curosity since I am going for a job walkin … How useful it would be and what level of knowledge of Unix & shell programming is expected that can add to skill to become a TA?
Rigging Dojo :
GameCharacterAcademy :
Puppeteer Lounge