Book Description
Take your Maya skills to new levels with the sophisticated coverage in this authoritative Autodesk Maya Press reference and tutorial. From key basics through advanced techniques, a team of Maya experts provides you with the very latest professional-level instruction on Maya Complete and Maya Unlimited through tutorials and hands-on practice. Whether a novice or an advanced user of Maya, you’ll find everything from key basics through advanced techniques.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
Customer Reviews:
This book is excellent!.......2007-09-04
I highly encourage anyone who wants to learn 3D animation with Maya 8.5 to get this book. It comes with a CD ROM that has many helpful source files that go along with the chapter. Each chapter gives you a thorough lesson in the many powerful features that Maya 8.5 offers.
Great for intermediate 3D users, even if new to Maya.........2007-09-02
I bought this book along with "Learning Autodesk Maya 8: Foundation" here on Amazon, and have found Mastering Maya 8.5 to be a much better help. I am relatively new to Maya, but have a 3D background (and 2d of course), applying it to mechanical engineering applications using other Autodesk products for around 10 years.
My work experience (even though it is in a different field than what Maya is used for) has given me a leg up on learning Maya (sort of, as Maya is its OWN world entirely compared to all the other programs I've learned, as they are just for modeling, not animation, texturing, lighting, etc.). Just so everyone knows that my review on this book is also tainted by my work history.
Using this along with Gnomon Workshop DVD's has made me a lot more proficient at what I need to do for work in the real world a LOT faster than trying to use "Learning AutoDesk Maya 8, Foundation".
I would recommend it for the intermediate 3D modeler/artist over all the other books I've looked through in friend's libraries, especially if you are actually USING 8.5 as opposed to older versions of Maya, of course :)
Very very good advice immediately in Chapter 1, regarding learning Maya in general, "The Maya interface can be a bit intimidating, and it's not fair to expect yourself to pick it up right up and remember where everything is"... also "Try not to rush it.." Maya is a large mountain of a program, and this book has helped me along my path quite a bit.
For the new Maya user who has a 3d background in other programs, I would recommend this as a first book, even though it has the word "mastering" in the title. Also, the Gnomon workshop DVD's on Maya are very good also if you can afford them or borrow them from a friend.
Need more time!.......2007-09-01
This book isn't bad but you don't really get to Master Maya with it. Mastering Maya 8.5 does provide a pretty thorough overview. I had to fly through this book in 10 weeks because the college I attend is on the quarter system. It's a decent reference book, however, it doesn't give specific answers but gives the reader a more general idea. I bought Advanced Maya Texturing and Lighting for the next quarter and it goes into detailed explanations for every project. Maya is an extremely intensive program and time is needed to really understand it. Mastering Maya 8.5 is a great foundation book that takes you through the most basic steps everyone should know before continuing further.
All the things you wanted to master.......2007-05-13
This is a great intermediate-advanced book for those who have some knowledge of Maya. It teaches all the techniques you need to know to use Maya 8 to the full. Probably too advanced for a beginer.
The best keeps getting better........2007-04-22
This is THE book to have for the beginner and expert alike. I found its written explanation very easy-to-follow, and the illustrations are helpful as well.
Book Description
Riveting illustrations and step-by-step instructions show animators at .all levels how to create professional, studio-quality 3D models and animations in this easy-to-follow guide that includes a CD-ROM. From basic to advanced information, this handbook covers it all: NURBS and polygon modeling/animating; deformation tools; modeling human figures and expressive facial animation; lighting, surfacing, composition, and special effects. Exercises are provided in a non-software/non-platform-specific format to encourage readers to experiment with their own technology. A huge number of illustrations along with sample animations on a CD-ROM make this a book no aspiring animator, pro, or teacher should be without.
Customer Reviews:
For artists seeking more than programmer's technical tips.......2004-11-13
Technology affects art and the many changes in computer animation and effects means that the art world faces both new challenges and new innovations in 3D modeling. Surprisingly, Peter Ratner explains, the changes mean less technical challenges for artists with more ability to focus on creating art rather than deciphering computer systems - and the second edition of his Mastering 3D Animation is just the place to begin. Ratner is a professor of the topic at James Madison University - and the founder and head of the first computer animation program in Virginia, so his background lends particularly well to discussions. His paintings and computer graphics have received exhibition and acclaim - also a plus for artists seeking more than just a programmer's technical tips.
"Mastering 3D Animation" suitable as collegiate text.......2001-11-26
Peter J. Ratner's second authoring effort, Mastering 3D Animation, is a 333-page softcover text that is a comprehensive, detailed and practical tutorial guide addressing nearly every aspect and segment of the 3D graphics genre. The book's 14 chapters-and accompanying follow-along CD for PC and Mac-speak to modeling (beginning and advanced), animation, special effects, lighting, surfacing techniques, facial animation, elements of action, figure movements and composition and cinematography. It's an exceptionally capable complement to Ratner's first book, 3-D Human Modeling and Animation. (Ratner currently is updating the latter text with a wholesale rewrite.)
Make no mistake: This is no cursory guide to constructing simple geometry, slapping on some stock textures, animating basic movements along spline paths and rendering to AVI while you're sipping on a latte, watching the Discovery Channel. A full-time professor in the 3D Computer Animation department of James Madison University and the program's founder, Ratner relies on the broad and substantial digital and conventional art experience that has rewarded him with artistic entries in more than 80 national and international juried exhibitions. Ratner is well-versed in most aspects of 3D art creation, choreography and cinematography. The results of his industry experience are a splendid collection of detailed and refined insights and experiences assimilated into a thorough tutorial guide. I have no doubt-as many experts agree-that Mastering 3D Animation is equipped to serve as a collegiate-level textbook for 3D computer animation curricula.
Spanning the many processes related to generating 3D digital art, Ratner illustrates his critical techniques with 658 black-and-white line drawings and grayscale screen captures. The images vary from basic and sketchy but illustrative black-only perspectives, steps and graphs to grayscale representations depicting character renderings, particle systems, height fields, geometric displacements, facial close-ups, rendered environments and more. Of particular interest to those having cinematography or traditional art backgrounds are the commentary, instructions and grayscale reproductions of painted and sketched art dating back multiple centuries.
Those attending to a more technical emphasis and interest are accommodated in every respect, however-minus superficial references to hardware specifications. Early on, Ratner clarifies his intentions in composing this text: "[The book's] purpose is not to create button pushers who can boast about megahertz, abundant RAM, big monitors and software with all kinds of bells and whistles. It is hoped that aspiring 3D artists will learn some valuable lessons from the great art geniuses that have preceded them." (Foreward/vii) Yes, Ratner does wane philosophical, at times, but his contemplative tendencies bring a refreshing and purist perspective to a field frequently inundated by overly technical meanderings and functionally pointless rambling. Thus, Ratner blends an in-depth artistic and technical knowledge with a practicality and philosophy altogether forming a well-rounded perspective-one catering to persons of various inclinations and backgrounds.
The companion CD contains 200-plus 3D models in a variety of formats: LightWave 3D's .lwo and .lws; Wavefront's .obj; Maya's .ml and the generic .dxf. Tutorial project files are archived in QuickTime (.mov) and JPEG (.jpg) formats, and Ratner also includes a Photoshop brush file (.abr) for creating "grime" textures.
As for the text's informational composition, chapters one and two explore the basics of 3D modeling-polygonal and spline-based (NURBS). Chapter 3 addresses basic 3D animation, while the fourth delves further into animation by considering the role of deformation tools: skeletons ("bones"); kinematics; lattice flexors, etc. In Chapter 5, Ratner explains special effects, including the use of spheres, particles, collision detection, voxels, fragments, displacement mapping and more. Part II of the text, Advanced 3D Modeling, begins with commentary about the human head's structure and composition, including muscles and bone. Ratner explains both the NURBS- and polygon- based methods for modeling the head. Special attention is allotted to features, such as the eyes, eyelids, eye sockets and ears. There's no lack of detail, here, and NURBS fans will experience a rare sensation-a feeling of belongingness.
The next two chapters, six and seven, are devoted to modeling the human figure. The latter stresses finishing-hair, eyelashes and clothing. Chapters 9 and 10 comprise Part III: Preparing for Animation. Lighting is the focus of Chapter 9, and Chapter 10-another that may appeal particularly to conventional artists-deals with surfacing techniques. The author goes beyond the typical texture map types-cylindrical, planar, spherical, cubic, etc.-and the use of photos to address alternative surfacing methods, such as transparency (alpha) and displacement maps. In short, Ratner extends well beyond the conventional surfacing methods most highly publicized, deeply exploring what might be categorized more aptly as upper-echelon trade tips than as common genre knowledge: creating sophisticated bump maps; using grayscale gradients in displacement; and more.
Part IV of the book, Character Animation Fundamentals, includes chapters 11-14: Expressing Emotion with Facial Animation (11); The Elements of Action (12); Movements of the Figure (13); Composition and Cinematography (14). Once again, the author uses an expansive knowledge of choreography and anatomy to help quantify how human emotions are exhibited: body posturing; eye wideness; lip contour; eyebrow position; even directional muscular pull. Each of these considerations can be projected in a 3D figure, and Ratner shows the reader how. "A muscle is composed of a bundle of fibers that work in mutual association to perform common duties," Ratner writes on Page 248. "... It is this combination of movements that results in the complicated harmony of the facial muscles."
The Elements of Action chapter confronts those issues pertinent to a convincing human portrayal by a mere collection of polygons or surfaced curved lines: timing; sound syncing; weight and recoil ("squash and stretch"); walk cycles and more. Chapter 13 addresses concerns complementary to those in the previous one, including body mass motion, pace and impact, equilibrium, action lines, rhythm and still more. The final score of this harmonized tutorial prose pursues line composition, spatial arrangement, blocking (proxy geometry) and all manner of photographic issues and techniques. The reader will learn practical cinematography terminology-camera techniques and movements, transitions, more-and the fundamental tenets of motion depiction utilized by artists centuries earlier.
A thoroughly enjoyable book.......2001-11-06
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from its technical standpoint of working between the program and the supporting 3D theory/thought process that Mr. Ratner provides.
Finding that balance of an artist and technologist from where to launch one's vision and future visions of creativity starts with good knowledge. Ratner gives many facets of where to see this vision and tutorials to follow through with your own creative projects.
I commonly work with many high-end graphics programs, Lightwave 7.0 being my newest program on my plate. Peter Ratner's 3d book getting me from a begining user from just reading the index to a 3D artist ready to start the new facets of my own portfolio. Mastering 3D Animation helped quite a bit everything from the Modeling and subdivides to the theory/progress.
Joseph Arthur
Information Architects, Principal
First Mediocre Review.......2001-06-27
Although a nice book that goes into depth in areas that other modeling books haven't, the generalized, not-to-mention-one-specific-application approach the author has taken left me, a beginner, bewildered and drooling. Also, I think some of what isn't explained in detail was not explained purposely as it was difficult to put into words and considered common sense, which seems to be the case with several tutorials and books that I've read on modeling. I want to know things like: Once I have my splines slapped down in a front perspective, how do I push and pull them properly from other perspectives so they'll take shape, or When defining detail with polygons, how many should I tesselate, how can I manipulate them to look like a gradual bump for a muscle and not a sharp cornered cliff? To sum it up, the book was written for the more experienced and those who are very well aquainted with their software packages-I was expecting step-by-step modeling for newbies.
Wonderfully written.......2001-05-12
Mastering 3D Animation is a wonderful book, full of useful information that you will refer to again and again. It covers many complicated issues in an easy-to-understand way so that beginners and advanced users alike can grasp the information. Definately a title that will remain in your library for years to come.
Average customer rating:
- The manual Viz should have come with
- Good content, BAD typographic job
- "THE" VIZ Book-You needn't look further
- The best viz book to date
- The VIZ book you really need
|
Mastering 3D Studio VIZ 3
George Omura
Manufacturer: Sybex
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Learning 3d Studio Viz: A Tutorial Approach
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Inside 3D Studio VIZ 3
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3D Studio VIZ Tutorials
ASIN: 0782127754 |
Amazon.com
Written for architectural designers, Mastering 3D Studio VIZ 3 is a practical, hands-on guide to using this 3-D modeling and rendering tool from Kinetix. The author is a good writer, and he's got lots of experience in VIZ. This book, his fifth, highlights both facts.
Spanning over 1,100 pages, and containing 16 chapters and four appendices, the book covers everything from the basics of using VIZ all the way through final rendering and delivery of VIZ-rendered animation on videotape. Each chapter is illustrated with screen shots and rendered frames, and contains step-by-step text for the tutorial in question.
While the book does a terrific job of teaching how to use the program, the real stars are the appendices. "Modifiers and Materials," "Patches and NURBS," and "Helpers and Effects" offer clear and concise information on all of these important features. These appendices alone are an invaluable reference resource.
Technically oriented tools like 3D Studio VIZ aren't easy to use. At best, the rendered image simply will look wrong; but, at worst, it can convey the wrong information to the client, and force design changes when none should be made. Using a tool like VIZ with accuracy is important, and Mastering 3D Studio VIZ 3 is a terrific reference guide for learning and using it correctly, efficiently, and painlessly. --Mike Caputo
Book Description
Master 3D Studio VIZ
Including All the New Features of Release 3
In Mastering 3D Studio VIZ 3, world-renowned AutoCAD expert George Omura teaches you every aspect of AutoDesk's powerful 3D design and modeling tool. Whether you're entirely new to VIZ or just want to get up to speed on the latest release, this book offers the explanations and clear, step-by-step instruction you need to put VIZ to work in even the most complex of design projects. Coverage includes:
* Finding your way around in VIZ
* Getting up to speed on the newest features
* Importing and exporting AutoCAD files
* Creating walls and doors
* Creating complex shapes
* Matching designs to background photographs
* Creating realistic and dramatic lighting effects
* Creating materials and applying materials to objects
* Creating geometry from bitmap images
* Basing designs on bitmap sketches
* Setting up animated walkthroughs
* Producing video output from animations
* Adding props to VIZ models
* Produce design presentation views-building elevations and top, front, and side views
* Placing sunlight for sun-shadow studies
* Using image editing programs in conjunction with VIZ
* Using AutoCAD in conjunction with VIZ
Customer Reviews:
The manual Viz should have come with.......2003-05-03
After one training session and about 10 months using Viz I bought this book and found it very useful.
Although it is 1100 pages of info, it is not blindingly full on, rather the author concentrates on making sure the methods and techniques are fully and clearly explained with plenty of screen shots and repeating previously explained information where needed. You won't find everything Viz does in this book but you will find more than enough to be able to create life like rendereings.
As much a [beginners] guide as it is an advanced user's salvation, this book sits on or near my workstation at all times.
Just make sure you order the correct version (for Viz 3 or 4)!
Good content, BAD typographic job.......2002-02-01
I have recently received this book as a gift. The content is GREAT but the format of the book LACKS A LOT in quality. That is, because there are over 1100 pages and because somebody had the unfortunate idea to place 16 color drawings on thick glossy paper in the middle, my long awaited book got ruined (read broke in two pieces, right in the middle). That was the WORST typographic job I have ever seen. All thanks to SYBEX Inc. who have edited this book. Hey guys, couldn't you make two volumes?
"THE" VIZ Book-You needn't look further.......2001-07-18
This book is the FANTASTIC. I'm an Architect and so appreciative that such a book exist. The material is meant for Architects (although applicable to many other 3D disciplines) and is extremely indepth without being tedious. The exercises are taken from historical projects recognized the world over which makes them interesting and fun. Mr. Omura had a game plan in writing this book and it pays off big time for the reader. By the time you've completed this book you'll have the skills and essential tools to create your own world's of expression. The author has a vast understanding of which tools to use to get the job done creativitly, efficiently and effectively. You'll also learn to incorporate industry standard tools outside of VIZ to assist you in creating your own libraries for future use. Is this last word in everything you'll ever need to know about VIZ? Absolutely Not. However, you'll be off to a great start with a BROAD SOLID FOUNDATION enabling you to build high and wide and creatively. ENJOY!
The best viz book to date.......2001-01-11
Have tried several other 3d viz books but this book is the best that I have read to date. Gets you up and running much faster than some of the more "fancy" interactive cd-rom types. Just the right sequence in the chapters for you to learn at a reasonable pace and understand the key concepts. If you need to learn this software than you will not go wrong with this book.
The VIZ book you really need.......2000-11-30
Omura's book is undoubtedly the best book I have read for 3D Studio VIZ! It is very complete with the most pictures, the best examples, tutorials, samples, and the clear explanations. Everything you need to know is in Mastering 3d Studio VIZ 3.
Average customer rating:
- Truly Exceptional! The only book which makes it, well, easy
- Mistakes Mistakes and More Mistakes.
- Teacher's Highest Recommendation
- Challenging for Beginners, but Great Overall
- As close to perfect as a 3dsMax book is likely to get
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Mastering 3ds max 4
Cat Woods , and
Jason Wiener
Manufacturer: Sybex
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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3ds max 4 Bible
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Inside 3ds max 4
ASIN: 0782129382 |
Book Description
Make the Most of Today's Leading Animation Package
With release 4, max further establishes itself as today's dominant modeling, animation, and rendering package. And with its fully revised and updated coverage, Mastering 3ds max 4 further establishes itself as the definitive max resource--just the book you need to master all the techniques supported by this powerful product. Inside, you'll learn all about sculpting and texturing your characters, setting them in motion, lighting the scene, and producing the final animation--for movies, games, television, and the Web. You also get in-depth instruction in MAXScript, including detailed explanations of all that's new to this release. Coverage includes:
* Understanding basic 3D concepts
* Modeling in polygons, patches, and NURBS
* Creating detailed models
* Optimizing models for low-poly environments
* Applying textures for real-time and pre-rendered output
* Animating using parametric animation, forward kinematics, inverse kinematics, and character studio
* Fine-tuning animation by editing keys and transitions
* Creating drama with lighting
* Applying post-process effects
* Cutting and cross-fading between shots
* Compositing in Video Post and combustion
* Exporting to Web 3D with Pulse
* Getting started with MAXScript
* Using scripting for scene manipulation
* Using scripting for animation
* Customizing the user interface
* Defining autostart scripts
* Creating your own plug-ins using MAXScript
Customer Reviews:
Truly Exceptional! The only book which makes it, well, easy.......2003-04-24
I thought I'd never learn to use this program. It's HARD. Not impossible... but not easy, either. I'd almost given up when a friend told me he'd found this one book which made Max4 seem pretty tame; I was, frankly, skeptical. But, I've gone through the *entire* book (with the exception of small parts of the final chapters), and feel I have the measure of the program.
It seems that some others who've used the book claim to have had certain problems with it. All I can say is that this is the clearest documentation I've seen and, as for problems: zero. Although no MAX book is going to make the program trivial, this comes as close as possible, with no stumbling blocks.
Mistakes Mistakes and More Mistakes........2002-10-25
That's what this book should be called.
Trust me , you don't wanna own this book, you'll just be
wasting your money.
I'm well beyond disappointed w/ this book.
But hey, what do you expect when you're writing a book
about a version of software that you're obviously not even
using. How else could I be getting errors about obsolete files?
If the files that come w/ the book are obsolete, then the software that made them was an earlier version of max.
Thus the reason for the mistakes, max 4 is slightly different.
What do all these mistakes mean to the person trying to learn
max 4 ? It means you'll be misguided most of the time and you'll
end up pulling out all your hair.
I highly recommend not even going near this book! You'll only
be sorry , like I am. I should've bought the max bible.
Shame on me. :(
Teacher's Highest Recommendation.......2002-08-13
As a college instructor of MAX modeling, texturing, and animation, I both recommend this book to my students and use it myself as a resource. I had the pleasure of contributing to this work in a few sections, and so had the opportunity to examine this work closely as it was written. In addition to providing comprehensive instruction on all areas of MAX, Cat Woods discusses the principles of 3D space and the creation of 3D art with greater elegance and clarity than any book I have encountered on the subject. Those struggling with the tools will find help here. A must-have for beginners, and a strong resource for experienced users.
Challenging for Beginners, but Great Overall.......2002-08-11
Unlike a lot of people using MAX, I was close to a beginner, and was trying to learn it along with a graduate course in animation and design. A friend recommended this book to me, after I had trouble with another...book which was our course text. I can't say whether "Mastering 3ds max 4" is the best MAX book on the market, but it's light years ahead of what our instructor chose.
If you were to open the book, you might get the impression -- the wrong impression -- that it was 'dumbed down', because there are so many illustrations. In fact, I almost didn't buy it for that reason. Only later it hit me that this is a book *about* graphics, so of course it would be graphical, and not like some book teaching you about, say, databases. Once I got used to the way the material was presented, I found the book really easy to follow, and was able to create real animations, from scratch, on my own. I think almost anyone can learn to do it from this book, if they stick with it.
The writing is (for a book like this) almost entirely free of jargon and always clear, even if sometimes, due to my lack of experience, I had to go over things a few times to get the knack of them. I can't say whether this would be the optimal guide for a professional animator, but it seems ideal for people with a good general background in using graphics software, and for 'advanced beginners' like me (and a bunch of other people in the class who borrowed it from me... and didn't want to give it back).
As close to perfect as a 3dsMax book is likely to get.......2002-07-29
Because I needed to learn the program thoroughly for my dissertation work, this is the fifth 3dsMax book I've bought, and it's the first that's not been overtly disappointing. If someone wants to have every little feature laid out in boring detail, there are the official materials and release notes for that. This book is the literal opposite (others suggesting otherwise have clearly not read the book in much detail).
What is most impressive here is that the book is NOT a systematic, unstructured tour of the program, dutifully covering each minor feature. Rather, it is results-oriented: if you want to accomplish X, here is how you go about it. Although it is graphically-rich and amazingly clear, it is most certainly not a comic book version of a Max book, and is clearly targeted to the sophisticated user. Even though a beginner would find the book quite useful, it should probably be bought in conjunction with a primer or a book "introducing" 3dsMax.
The writing is sprightly and, although there are spots where the editing might have been tightened, it is well above average even in that regard. In fact, if anything, the book has a crisp literary feel to it that will appeal to most readers, but may not be the style of choice for really hard-core users. Still, this is preferable to the studied dessication of nearly all the other books I've seen on the topic.
Finally, the graphical illustrations are uniformly excellent, leaving little to the imagination. I'm hoping that this team sees fit to write such a guide for the next, inevitable incarnation of the program. I for one will be advance ordering it.
Book Description
Model and animate an alien, a remote control, and a rover vehicle! Through hands-on, step-by-step tutorials and directly relevant discussions, Mastering the Art of Production with 3ds max 4 entices readers to participate in the process of taking a full 30-second animated commercial for a realistic model company - Ion Z Batteries - from concept through to completion. Developing project requirements by reviewing storyboards and planning a live video shoot for 3D element integration is just the beginning! As they progress through this thoroughly engaging and fast-paced book, readers will also experiment with various styles of modeling and skinning techniques; gain expertise using IK controllers; develop user interfaces to simplify complicated animation techniques and implement MaxScript for further animation control; create and apply global illumination; use procedure maps and PhotoShop to generate textures for objects in the scene; apply proper rendering techniques; and complete post-production editing with Discreet's Combustion. Ideal for anyone with an interest in digital art, 3D modeling, or animation, this all-inclusive introduction to contemporary industry techniques is centered on producing a professional product for a client, takes optimal advantage of leading-edge 3ds max 4 tools and options to develop a seamless character setup, and is perfect for users of all abilities.
Customer Reviews:
Not Ready for Prime Time.......2006-07-22
I have been working with this book for several years. I have never been able to anything more than the modeling tutorials. The scripts do not function, therefore the UI's do not work and you are unable to finish the book! Additionally, you are unable to contact the authors to obtain corrections. I have purchased every book that Michele Bousquet has published since 3D Studio Dos 1. This book is not her best effort. Great idea to take a student from start to finish on a project but there-in lies the rub, a student nor could most instructors use this book for a reference must less a book to use for classroom instruction. Wasted time and wasted money..............
EXCELLENT BOOK!! WROTE FOR THE NEWBIES........2003-07-03
I was a total newbie when I bought this book, and it have really made me improve in almost every aspect that must be known in 3ds max. Of course if you already know advanced techniques you'll probably get bored with the book. In the animation aspect I think is a bit short (talking about teaching you how to simulate motion like the walking cicle for the alien and so.)But the tutorials in modeling are excellent and very easy to understand.
I really don't know if this is useful but I must say that I completed this tutorials with 3ds max 5 and there was no problem.
EXCELLENT BOOK!! WROTE FOR THE NEWBIES........2003-07-03
I was a total newbie when I bought this book, and it have really made me improve in almost every aspect that must be known in 3ds max. Of course if you already know advanced techniques you'll probably get bored with the book. In the animation aspect I think is a bit short (talking about teaching you how to simulate motion like the walking cicle for the alien and so.)But the tutorials in modeling are excellent and very easy to understand.
I really don't know if this is useful but I must say that I completed this tutorials with 3ds max 5 and there was no problem.
Awesome book!.......2003-04-24
Mastering the Art of Production with 3ds max 4 is definatly worth every penny! The instructions are clearly written and easy to follow (not to mention pictures of basically every step). The entire book is about creating a 30 second commercial for a company. It even explains working with clients! Anyone who wants to sharpen their skills with 3dsmax, this is the book to get. Also, the book has a section on Combustion for post-production.
Great book - covers modeling and rigging in detail.......2003-01-07
Finally a book that doesn't skip parts or refer you to user's manual. Every step is presented in detail. I was surprised how much I learned about modeling from reading this book. This is the best max book I have read so far. Would love to see the authors do a advanced character modeling book.
Book Description
Digital art opens the door to new techniques and methods of painting that would be impossible to achieve in traditional art. It eliminates the worry of ruined surfaces, toxic chemicals, and expensive materials and introduces powerful tools that are able to realistically simulate water color, oil paint, and air brush techniques. What used to take artists hours to accomplish can now be completed in a few short steps. "Mastering Digital 2D and 3D Art" is designed to help the traditional artist make the move to digital media. It includes step-by-step projects that show how to create both 2D and 3D art and offers helpful hints regarding the digital art programs that will most effectively help you meet your objectives.
Customer Reviews:
Should be titled: Beginning Painter and Maya.......2007-05-06
To help out folks looking to buy this book, I just want to point out a few things I wish I'd known before buying it. First, if you are buying it for the Don Seemiller portion, you'd be much better off buying his "Digital Character Design and Painting" book, recently updated. I can't recommend that book highly enough. The current volume presents something resembling an excerpt from the Seegmiller book, taking up the first 90 pages, with the remainder of the book being a basic introduction to Maya. It's TONS of screen shots (in color, unusual for this publisher), with very little verbiage.
In short, I'd only recommend this book if you are looking for a nice short intro to character design with Painter and a beginner's guide to Maya. The title is very misleading.
Average customer rating:
- Where to find the missing files
- A Wonderflul Book! Very Well Written! Excellent Information
- A Wonderflul Book! Very Well Written! Excellent Information
- Luminous Writing, a Model of Clarity
- Missing file problem is a bigger issue than I thought...
|
Mastering 3D Studio MAX R3
Chris Murray ,
Alexander Bicalho ,
Alex Montiero ,
catali Woods ,
Cat Woods ,
Kinetix Training Group , and
Alex Monteiro
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: B00005U4V0 |
Amazon.com
If mastering 3D Studio Max is your goal, Mastering 3D Studio Max R3 makes a solid cornerstone on which to build your library. While not the easiest book to use, it is--like the software--big, rich, and full of good information. It thoroughly discusses the foundation of the topic (basic 3-D concepts, basic Max concepts, the Max interface, modeling, lighting, rendering), and contains excellent chapters on materials, lighting, rendering, and compositing.
Part VI, "Using MaxScript," is the shining star; by itself, it's worth the cost of this massive tome. Spanning well over 200 pages, this section covers the basics of MaxScript, how to manipulate scenes with MaxScript, animating with MaxScript by using controllers and keyframes, and creating plug-in scripts. If you want to squeeze the most from MaxScript, you'll be in heaven with this section.
The book falls short in two areas, unfortunately. The first is that there are no color illustrations to enhance the text on lighting, materials, and rendering. The second is that there is little information on animation and virtually none on character animation. Of the 745 pages, approximately 65 discuss creating and tweaking animation in Max. If you plan on using Max for complex animation of any kind, this book won't work for you. --Mike Caputo
Book Description
3D Studio MAX R3 is the latest version of the leading professional-level program for rendering 3D images and animations. It's used to create special effects for films, television, advertisements, and games. Written by a team of Discreet-certified training specialists, Mastering 3D Studio MAX R3 is filled with proven, practical examples and projects that teach novices and experienced users how to make MAX perform. This book includes a full-color insert featuring an impressive gallery of MAX projects and artwork for examples discussed in the book, plus a CD with MAXScript code samples, models and materials for the projects, and trial versions of plugins.
Customer Reviews:
Where to find the missing files.......2001-09-05
Here is ftp site for the missing files from the CD.
ftp://ftp.sybex.com/2561/
The Author
A Wonderflul Book! Very Well Written! Excellent Information.......2001-08-07
Mastering 3ds Max R3 is an excellent source of information about the 3ds Max program. Although this book seems a bit intimidating because of it's size, 700+ pages, it's very easy to read and understand. The authors have done a wonderful job in explaining the various methods of rendering for this application. I really enjoyed reading about modeling and animation with applying materials and lighting techniques. This book is so well organized that I found myself reading 30 pages at a time without feeling tired or bored. The novice and professional alike will find the section on shortcut keys and MaxScript very useful. I myself was particulaly found of the sections about NURBS curves and the raytrace techniques. The most tedious part of the book are chapters 13-18 which goes into detail about MaxScript, the backbone of the 3ds max program. I found this section to be very informative and necessary to learn. I also appreciated the authors no nonsense approach to learning the application, in which they mentioned that the learning process takes time so enjoy yourself. In conclusion, I think that anyone interested in purchasing this book will soon realize that it was money well spent and that they will enjoy reading it.
A Wonderflul Book! Very Well Written! Excellent Information.......2001-08-07
Mastering 3ds Max R3 is an excellent source of information about the 3ds Max program. Although this book seems a bit intimidating because of it's size, 700+ pages, it's very easy to read and understand. The authors have done a wonderful job in explaining the various methods of rendering for this application. I really enjoyed reading about modeling and animation with applying materials and lighting techniques. This book is so well organized that I found myself reading 30 pages at a time without feeling tired or bored. The novice and professional alike will find the section on shortcut keys and MaxScript very useful. I myself was particulaly found of the sections about NURBS curves and the raytrace techniques. The most tedious part of the book are chapters 13-18 which goes into detail about MaxScript, the backbone of the 3ds max program. I found this section to be very informative and necessary to learn. I also appreciated the authors no nonsense approach to learning the application, in which they mentioned that the learning process takes time so enjoy yourself. In conclusion, I think that anyone interested in purchasing this book will soon realize that it was money well spent and that they will enjoy reading it.
Luminous Writing, a Model of Clarity.......2001-05-01
3D Studio MAX is, to put it mildly, a difficult program to learn to use, and there is a dearth of texts on the topic that rise above Fair-to-Middling. In a sense, that's no longer an issue, as this book by Chris Murray and his team, including talented newcomer Catalina Woods, has set a standard which any of its challengers is unlikely to approach. I feel comfortable saying this simply because, with one possible exception, this is the finest software guide I've encountered. Even the most arcane subjects, for example, Bezier splines, are explained in a manner that not only makes them transparent, but wholly natural, as if you've been thinking in terms of them all along. Such a level of writing and integration is rare enough in any technical undertaking, but is simply breathtaking given the inherent complexity of the program. Highly, highly recommended.
Missing file problem is a bigger issue than I thought..........2001-04-02
The author writes:
As the author of this book, I understand and share the frustration of missing files. Those that purchase the book can contact me directly and I will immeadiately forward a CD with any missing files to them, at no extra charge. (My contact info is in the book.)
I followed his instructions and contacted him with my mailing address and got this reply:
Darren,
Thanks for purchasing the book. If you send me your snail mail address I will have a new CD forwarded to you.
Regards,
Chris Murray
Well two weeks had gone by and there was no sign of the missing files. I sent a follow up message, and another one and another one and another one. Five in fact. Each time the author told me how busy he was and that he would get to it soon. That was six months ago and he never did send the files. I like the book a lot but even after pleading with him repeatedly for months on end, he wouldn't live up to the promise of providing the files. Many of the projects in the book can't be completed without the files so put that into consideration when purchasing. Good luck friends...
d
Average customer rating:
|
Mastering 3d Studio: Modeling, Rendering, and Animation
Jon M. Duff , and
William A. Ross
Manufacturer: PWS Pub. Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0534951368 |
Book Description
Mastering 3D Studio employs projects from fields of engineering, architecture and business to demonstrate how users can transform their ideas from storyboards and preliminary sketches to stunning 3D Studio models, renderings, and animations. Most books on 3D Studio list all commands and procedures in the program; Duff & Ross provide a context for technical use of 3D Studio by providing a practical approach to the work animators must do to formulate and execute a project. Using worksheet pages, they lead users through the vital planning stages of an animated presentation, and the ways 3D Studio can be used to put the final project together.
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