If you’re looking for training beyond the basics, then the Advanced Visual Effects DVD is for you. This DVD volume (part of the new Turbo Training collection) contains over 14 hours of material from special effects creator and Particle Flow master Allan McKay.

Aimed at intermediate and advanced users, the Advanced Visual Effects DVD showcases much of Allan’s talent and techniques for producing incredible animation using 3ds Max and the Particle Flow particle system. Starting with simple examples, Allan works up to more complex effects including generating procedural tornados and volcanoes, as well as a drip system that must be seen to be believed. He also covers topics including the use of procedural materials, reactor 2 physics basics.

Additionally, an entire section is devoted to his use of Autodesk Certified Animation Plug-in AfterBurn 3, showing how he makes believable explosions, ground fog, clouds and more.

Just look at the DVD index:

I. Particle Flow Basics
1.1 - Introduction
1.2 - Tests
1.3 - Going thru Events
1.4 - Particle Loops
1.5 - Building Flows
1.6 - Deflectors
1.7 - Freeform Demo

II. Simple Particle Effects
2.1 - Attract Particles
2.2 - Push Particles
2.3 - Velocity Tests
2.4 - Ocean Whitecaps
2.5 - Sequential Dispersion
2.6 - Flocking Birds
2.7 - Laser Airstrike
2.8 - Procedural Footprints
2.9 - Ion Cannon
2.10 - Sticky Fluids

III. Using Procedurals
3.1 - Creating a chasm
3.2 - Eroding a Planet
3.3 - Craggy Surface
3.4 - Conform to a Surface
3.5 - Acid Burn

IV. AfterBurn Effects
4.1 – AfterBurn Combustion Intro
4.2 – AfterBurn Clouds
4.3 – Explosion Type I
4.4 – AfterBurn Fog
4.5 – Fog Bank
4.6 – Explosion Type II
4.7 – Asteroid
4.8 – Fireball

V. Dynamics & Reactor
5.1 – reactor 2 Basics
5.2 – Fracture Part I
5.3 – Fracture Part II
5.4 – Particles and Geometry

VI. Advanced Effects
6.1 – Volcano
6.2 – Tornado
6.3 – Drip System Part I
6.4 – Drip System Part II
6.5 – Drip System Part III