Frequently Asked Questions

This is updated as questions come in, so if you ask it we just may add it to the list!

How can I become an author?

First step is to talk with us. We are a very close nit group, but open to add more members to it. We tend to like to get to know you a bit, and see if you laugh at our jokes. Other then the “works well with others” we do ask that you be actively working in the industry and have a few education materials online. Once you have this we will do a series of skype calls to chat it up, and have you a do a quick instruction session with the CG Cookie Crew

Where can I download 3D Studio Max at?

Autodesk offers a 30 day free trial to get your feet wet at http://www.autodesk.com. After the trial you have the option to purchase a commercial or student license depending on your needs.

How is Max Cookie related to Cg Cookie?

CG Cookie is the mother of Max Cookie. CG Cookie set out to offer training on various software packages for artists around the world. As CG Cookie grew, we started to be well known for our consitent high quality streaming education. Initially we branched off http://blendercookie.com, but also wanted to give Max users their own stopping ground. Since then CG Cookie has evolved into more of our headquarters site featuring our education materials from both our sites (Blender Cookie and Max Cookie).

Do you guys do this full-time?

It feels like it, but in reality, or technically we do not. All involved have day jobs or freelance to help support the mortgage, rent and daily bills. Though when we are not at our daily jobs, we are working on CG Cookie and the education within. We do this because we enjoy creating something out of nothing. Meaning, there used to not be a CG Cookie, and there certainly wasn’t a Max Cookie. But now there is, and both are well recognized education sources on the internet. The question that keeps us going, is what can we create/offer next?

Will they ever make a SpaceBalls 2?

We thought they were after the first one clearly stated they were going to make, “Space Balls 2, the search for more money”. But looks like they dropped that ball.

How can I help out?

Of course the easiest way is just by supporting us online. By purchasing source downloads, adding us to your social networks, sending out our links via instant messengers when you dig a lesson we produced. We do not have the income to buy the expensive adverts in magazines, so our whole existence has been created by word of mouth.

If you happen to have a few web skillz in your back pocket, photoshop, PHP, MySql, or CSS, we of course are interested in talking with you as well. jobs@cgcookie.com

How are source downloads delivered?

We are using http://e-junkie.com as our digital delivery service. They hold a predominate client list using their service, and we are happy to be one of them. Upon your payment being received by our merchant processor (paypal or google) they will send notification to e-junkie to e-mail you the download links. All of this should take less then a few minutes to deliever the download links to your e-mail address.

Most of our source downloads contain a high resolution video of the tutorial you watched (if it was a video tutorial) and any source files we are able to offer. Textures, .blend files, etc… Our videos are compressed with Quicktime / h.264 to help keep sizes manageable.

How are your source files licensed?

All “Education” source files that we offer on the site are meant to be used for education purposes only. You are allowed to copy to your devices to view and learn, but are not allowed to redistribute or use in commercial work.

The videos on the site aren’t playing, what should I do?

We are using Vimeo’s community building power to house our videos. They are a very reliable world-wide source and so far we have been completely knocked off our feet by them. Seriously, these guys rock. But if you are having troubles viewing them, there are a few steps to try, aside from getting the hammer out.

• Clear the cache of your browser and restart it. This is usually done by hitting F5, or it will be in the preferences.
• Restart the computer. This is great for other problems as well, sometimes they all just need a restart.
• Check internet connection. With the high resolution videos slower connections, or slower machines may have trouble viewing them. Worse case scenario the source downloads are always available for purchase.

I downloaded the source files, but I only hear audio with no video?

It is hard to see what each users personal computer set-up may be. We try to compress our videos in the most accessible format, but some computers are simply unable to play as they are. So first thing we recommend is to give this video player a shot. VLC Media Player (Download)

May I embed your tutorials or host them on my site?

Your are welcome to link to our tutorials here on Blender Cookie or Max Cookie, but we ask that you please don’t embed or host the videos on your site.