As you may know (or not), digital puppet-maker and modo rigging master, Rich Hurrey of Pixar Animation Studios, has recently released new modo 501 Rigging Master Course. After years in the works and a spectacular video production that explains all the possibilities of animating models with modo, it’s definitely a course to pick up. Rich was also kind enough to join us on the Engineer vs Designer podcast, Episode 13 (woot!), and it pretty much rocked our world. Unfortunately, being only a 20 minute show, we weren’t able to include nearly everything we wanted in the final cut. We’re adding an extended audio interview to EvD, but we wanted even more. So today on SolidSmack, we want to connect the dots.

And if that weren’t enough inducement to read on, what about $25 off said rigging course? We thought so. Coupon code after the jump.

First, I totally GANKED (part of) that headline from the Inforbix post on the same topic. That’s how I roll. But let’s hold back the onslaught on data digging for a sec and address something. Inforbix. I understand. It’s hard to say it… without shredding your throat lining by screaming it as loud as you can. So, go ahead. Get it out of your system. Now, let’s move on. Inforbix has launched. What is it? From their site, “Inforbix is a web-based data consumption solution available for purchase on a yearly subscription basis.” In other words, search all of your CAD data, wherever it is, from wherever you are. The base package is FREE. We’ve covered how it works. Here’s how to get started using it.

Are you even the slightest bit interested in going to Las Vegas for Autodesk University 2011? Well, how would you like to go at someone else’s expense? Yeah, that (and beef stew) is what I’m talkin’ about. Perhaps even more enticing, how would you like to win a 3D Mouse to hang around your necks whilst romping up and down the Las Vegas strip? Even BETTER. 3DConnexion is making all your ‘free airfare and hotel accommodation’ dreams come true and all you have to do is give up a little bit of that prized personal info and ! Here are all the details.

Two pieces of good news. You now have a good excuse for both staring point-blank into a stranger’s eye hole and strapping a concoction of electronics and LED’s to your face. Eye-tracking. Eye-Tracking tech for design isn’t even close to being recent news, but it bears mentioning to show you where eye-tracking tech in regard to CAD was three years ago and where it’s heading today.