Strata's Spring Forward Sale starts today, celebrating our countdown to the end of winter with a 20% across-the-board savings on everything you need from the Strata Store. Whether you're buying a single application, the entire Strata CX Suite, or accessories like model libraries and training videos, just enter coupon code: SPRING11 for an instant savings on everything in your cart. When the clocks spring forward on March 13, 2011, this sale comes to an end.

We have just consolidated what we feel are the most useful first-timer training videos into a new category called Newbies at Strata 3D University. For designers who are new to the whole 3D thing, the application environment, toolset and concepts can be a little confusing and intimidating. This collection of introductory videos will familiarize you with the basics of 3D and challenge you to take your new skills to the next level..

Follow Strata today! Each month we randomly select one of our Facebook friends or Twitter followers to receive a free month of training at Strata 3D University. If you're already a University subscriber, we'll refund one month's worth of training. And our first winner is: Matthew Battershell. Congratulations! We hope you're ready to dig in and develop some serious 3D design skills.

Christian Moore will be conducting a Strata Design 3D CX class April 13-15 in Philadelphia, PA. The 3-day course will cover the entire spectrum of 3D skills including modeling, texturing, lighting, animation and rendering, as well as the business side of working with clients and planning / storyboarding projects. The class is limited to 20 students. Visit www.ChristianMoore.com for more details.

For a guaranteed chuckle, be sure to check out Tim Donahue's "In Case of Clowns, Break Glass" rendering. Strata Cafe member Xavier Mestres of Barcelona has also been very active in the Strata Cafe recently, posting an interesting mix of packaging renderings and 3D concept quicktime movies. Lastly, Chris Tyler posted some stunning renderings of his own and followed it up in the Strata 3D University with a tutorial series on how it was all done.