Thanks Tim and Ed for you kind words.
Tim... I never heard of you or KeyShot 2 years ago. I always considered myself a 2D artist and an average retoucher at best. Your patience and ability to teach others with your knowledge and talents is what has helped me along into the 3D world. So I think I owe you at least a cold beer or two. LOL. "Thank you." !!
Ed...Thanks but don't know the first thing about hosting a webinar. I am not even sure I would be any good at it. It's always instinctive for me to break it down into these basic steps.
1. What's your deadline and end result you want. Aspect ratio/size, resolution, customer reference, variations, bleed..and work backwards from there.
2. Import a model ( don't even need to materialize it yet) and establish a flattering camera angle FIRST that needs client approval. Soap car look or ambient occlusion is fine.
3. Once you get that under control it dictates your environment "perspective". This is the wide end of the creative funnel. Have fun imagining the best case scenario/Brand appropriate look.
4. Gather high res. puzzle pieces stitched together in photoshop to create the look you want. Follow your perspective guidelines to add the realistic drama you want. Import as a backplate.
Doug