Review of Inspired 3D Character Setup (Paperback)

I have been using Maya extensively now for two years and bought this book to try to take myself into the intermediate level of character rigging.
The first problem I encountered with this book is that I opened it and the spine broke! Not exactly what you would expect from a [$$$] book.
I think it went downhill from there. Yes the pictures are beautiful and the it really showcases what you can do with Maya(or what others have done), but the editing in this book is terrible. Examples include naming of nodes that on the same page have two different names. The downloads don't match the book. e.g. ch13 has the low-res geo download that doesnt include the sphereCTRL or the cubeCTRL but sure has the proxyGEO. Anyone think i'm messed up? send me the right one please..
Otherwise, you are better off with the Art of Maya, or Secrets of the Pros. I think this is one not quite worth the money.

Product Description
Written by working professionals in the visual effects industry, this book is a guide to building functional characters in the digital environment. You will explore the concepts and theories of creating and maintaining efficient and intuitive skeletal control systems for your 3D Characters. Interwoven within the book are thought provoking and informative interviews with industry heavyweights, stunning visuals and step by step tutorials that allow you to explore and expand your knowledge of the fascinating and challenging world of 3D digital characters.

About the Author
Michael Ford is a Lead Technical Animator at Sony Imageworks and is co-founder of Animation Foundation. He began his career as a digital artist after graduating from UCLA School of Design and has since worked on numerous feature and commercial projects at Industrial Light and Magic, Centropolis FX, and Digital Magic. He has lectured at UCLA School of Design, University of Southern California, DeAnza College, and the San Francisco Academy of Art. He is a certified Level 2 Softimage instructor whose film credits include Stuart Little 1 & 2, The Perfect Storm, The Mummy, Godzilla, Species 2, Mortal Kombat 2, and The Faculty.

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Review of Inspired 3D Character Animation (Paperback)

I'm a bit surprised at the bad rap this book has gotten in earlier user reviews.Suggesting to "just read the manual that came with the software" is preposterous -- these comments are often made by people who think that knowing how to set keyframes in a piece of software makes them GOOD animators, and nothing could be further from the truth.A thorough understanding of how the body moves, how the mind thinks, how external forces affect the body, and other sometimes slippery subjects are critical aspects of the good animator's toolset.

While there are no earth-shattering revelations in this book (how many could there be when the animation industry is over 90 years old), the topics discussed in these pages, often illustrated with short exercises, make a good launching pad for people wanting to go from someone who knows how to make a character move, to someone who knows how to make a character come alive.

The book does a good job of relating traditional animation concepts to the 3D medium, and several of the interviews are enlightening.As a college animation instructor and professional computer animator, I find satisfaction in opening this book in my classroom to point out that artists from celebrated studios such as Industrial Light & Magic and Sony Pictures Imageworks are saying the same things that I am telling my students.My Advanced 3D Animation students spend several weeks reading chapters from this book and applying the information through mini-assignments, which I hope lead them to realize all that they must consider in bringing a character to life.This book is not designed to teach something new to the computer animation veteran -- instead, it fulfills its purpose of showing intermediate to advanced level students of animation a path that they need to take in becoming successful character animators.

While the price of this book is a bit steep, there are several pieces of advice that should be in any character animator's mantra.The information can lead to a big payoff if you really absorb it.

Product Description
The art of creating animation is the ability to generate believable characters that have emotion and life. Regardless of your medium good animation comes from the application of solid fundamentals and an extensive body of knowledge. Inspired 3D Character Animation provides you with a comprehensive set of processes and procedures to animating characters in the digital environment. By taking a close look at the day to day activities and practices of veteran film, commercial, and game animators, readers are provided with a look into the processes necessary to implement these ideas into the world of 3D computer graphics software.

About the Author
Kyle Clark earned his Master's Degree in Animation at USC School of Cinema-Television.While at USC, he produced an animation short that earned him a student Academy Award.He has worked at Cinestine, Sony, Imageworks, and Industrial Light and Magic.He is a lecturer at San Francisco State University and has taught at the Academy of Art-San Francisco, Texas A&M, and USC.His film credits include Space Jam, Mortal Kombat II, Star Wars Episode One, Deep Blue Sea, and Sleepy Hollow.

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Review of 3ds Max 8 Bible (Paperback)

Looking through this book I saw immediately that it suffered from the same problem as it's predecessor:lack of thought to the student's learning path.

It is a problem that is almost universal to computer instructional guides do... lack of any educational theory in its writing. It does not guide the newcomer through the art of learning the software, but rather deals with issues as if one is going through the menu commands.The tutorials consistantly use elements and commands that one will not cover for another hundred por more pages, and the chapters are not designed to "build on the student's knowledge" but rather to give all information about a given cocept right from the beginning.Thus, I am taught how to personalise the user interface and use XREFs (external references) before I am told how to create even the simplest of objects.

I am an experienced 3D analylist, with knowledge of CAD and GIS, so I am not the least experienced of readers on this topic.Even so I found it frequently infuriating to attempt to learn this software using this book.

Product Description
If 3ds Max 8 can do it, you can do it too...

Spark your creativity with the world's most popular animation software and the detailed instruction in this power-packed book from an industry expert. If you're new to 3ds Max, jump right in with a Quick Start program that will have you modeling and rendering a complete image your first day. Experienced users, discover exciting new Max 8 features such as a new module for hair and fur, a new cloth system, and much more. This comprehensive book covers every feature, and it's loaded with professional techniques and full color examples to inspire you.

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of 3ds Max 8

• Model a detailed creature right away with the Quick Start tutorial
• Add realistic and dynamic hair, fur, and cloth to your models
• Create complex characters with Max's new biped features
• Use the expanded Edit Poly options to work more efficiently with Edge Ring and Edge Loop selections
• Explore Max's new Asset Tracking system including the Autodesk(r) Vault client
• Make texture creation a snap with the new Pelt mapping method and the Render UVW Template feature
• Save, load, and retarget animation files using the supported XML Animation File (XAF) format
• Easily render a series of stills from several angles with the new Batch Render tool

Bonus DVD Included!

Features a wide selection of 3D models and textures just right for your own projects, plus the Max files and examples to more than 150 tutorials. The DVD also includes a full-color electronic version of the book!

From the Back Cover
If 3ds Max 8 can do it, you can do it too ...

Spark your creativity with the world's most popular animation software and the detailed instruction in this power-packed book from an industry expert. If you're new to 3ds Max, jump right in with a Quick Start program that will have you modeling and rendering a complete image your first day. Experienced users, discover exciting new Max 8 features such as a new module for hair and fur, a new cloth system, and much more. This comprehensive book covers every feature, and it's loaded with professional techniques and full color examples to inspire you.

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of 3ds Max 8

• Model a detailed creature right away with the Quick Start tutorial
• Add realistic and dynamic hair, fur, and cloth to your models
• Create complex characters with Max's new biped features
• Use the expanded Edit Poly options to work more efficiently with Edge Ring and Edge Loop selections
• Explore Max's new Asset Tracking system including the Autodesk® Vault client
• Make texture creation a snap with the new Pelt mapping method and the Render UVW Template feature
• Save, load, and retarget animation files using the supported XML Animation File (XAF) format
• Easily render a series of stills from several angles with the new Batch Render tool

Bonus DVD Included!

Features a wide selection of 3D models and textures just right for your own projects, plus the Max files and examples to more than 150 tutorials. The DVD also includes a full-color electronic version of the book!

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Review of Maya 4.5 Bible (Paperback)

This is a good book for users with a good understanding of Maya.It covers alot of things that other books dont.The one major problem with the book is the CD has problems on the windows OS.This is resolved very easily.All you need to do is call the publisher.They will ship you a replacement CD within about a week.Other than that Maya Bible is a very good book

Product Description
* All the information needed to create professional-quality 3D animations and visual effects in Maya, the Alias
* Wavefront/Silicon Graphics software used for special effects in movies such as Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
* Explains how to move a project from concept to completion-an ideal quick-start alternative to the fourteen volumes of official documentation
* Covers everything from interface basics and modeling to animation, character setup, and effects
* Concise tutorial allows the Maya user to learn by doing with the help of behind-the-scenes production examples from animated television programs
* CD-ROM includes sample models, scripts, shaders, and textures

From the Back Cover
"This book . . . manages to cover a great deal of ground with needed depth in critical areas of Maya, especially those pertinent to character animation. Joe Spadaro and Don Kim have instilled real-world production experience into this massive volume."
-Duncan Brinsmead, Principal Scientist, Alias Wavefront

If Maya 4.5 can do it, you can do it too...

It's not magic, but it's close. With the Oscar® Award-winning tool that created the lovable Stuart Little® and the thrilling special effects in Star Wars® Episode II: Attack of the Clones, you will become your own set designer, actor, director, and cinematographer. In this groundbreaking guidebook, two well-respected TV and movie animators demystify the complexities of this professional 3D modeling animation and rendering program. With concise and expert instruction, the authors show you how to apply proven Maya workflow principles to help you keep your projects on track in the production "pipeline" from conception to completion. In addition, the Quick Start tutorial gives you firsthand experience creating an animation right from the start.

Inside, you'll find co mplete coverage of Maya 4.5

• Navigate the new Maya user interface and take advantage of the powerful Hypergraph, Maya's award-winning dependency graph architecture
• Become skilled in using the Maya Embedded Language (MEL) to script and automate almost anything you can do in Maya
• Discover the sophisticated NURBS advanced curve and surface modeling tools and the suite of polygon modeling tools for games and interactive uses
• Learn the techniques that'll make you a digital puppeteer, and create emotion in 3D characters as well as motion and physical characteristics
• Use Maya Live to match-and-move 3D cameras to a live-action video
• Explore the features of Maya Unlimited, including cloth and fur, and extend Maya using subdivision surfaces
• Study the work of leading animators in behind-the-scenes examples from familiar movies, games, and television shows

Bonus CD-ROM

The interactive CD-ROM includes a variety of clips, images, textures, bonus chapters, and other animation tools

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Review of 3ds max 5 Bible [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

Be warned, I am a pretty harsh grader.
Well first off this edition does not contain the entire book in a pdf file for easy reading on a laptop/computer so that was definatly a minus.One of the reasons I liked 3DS Max 4 Bible was because you didn't have to carry around the entire book (I've had encyclopidia sets smaller that this folks).
Other than that no real complaints.Newbies will not get much out of this one as this is more of a reference book and not a book of tutorials and techniques.
The book is well written and give good (black and white) photos of what certain effects and/or modifiers look like.I give it 3 stars because its a solid reference book but when you think "bible" your kind of hopeing for more than refence.

Product Description
* Shows how to build an animation right away.
* Gives users valuable hands-on experience under the expert guidance of 3D master Kelly Murdock.
* Includes a 16-page full-color insert explaining how to push the limits of max.
* Explores the major program changes that are expected with the next release of 3ds max.
* Provides tutorial files from the book, trial versions of related software, and exclusive plug-ins on the enclosed CD-ROM.

From the Back Cover
"This book is a valuable and insightful resource for beginning and advanced 3D artists alike looking to harness the most power from the vast capabilities of 3ds max 5."
-Phillip Miller, Vice President, Discreet Animation Products Group

• Build your first dynamic animation project today with unique Quick Start guide
• Master all the new features found in 3ds max 5 including Global Illumination, Radiosity, Character Posing, and Layers
• Create cutting-edge special effects for video, motion pictures, games, and television

If 3ds max 5 can do it, you can do it too . . .

Plunge into the world of professional animation with 3D expert Kelly Murdock, whose easy-to-follow tutorials and fluid explanations make this book a must-have for beginners and experienced users alike. He meets you wherever you are as a 3ds max user and elevates your skills to the next level. If you're a veteran, here is the indispensable road map to the complex variations of version 5. If you're meeting "Max" for the first time, the amazing Quick Start teaches you to build an eye-popping animation in your very first session!

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of 3ds max 5

• Add realistic lighting to your images with 3ds max 5's new Advanced Lighting features including Global Illumination, Radiosity, Photometric Lights, and Area Shadows
• Explore such new modeling features as Character Assemblies, improved bone tools, poseable skin, and a host of new poly object modeling additions such as extruding along a spline
• Increase scene details with materials and maps like the new Ink 'n' Paint material
• Automate the animation process with many improvements to the Track View, including Auto Tangents and Soft Selections
• Investigate new transform gizmos and other new version 5 interface elements

Bonus CD-ROM

• 3ds max, Version 5 demo
• All tutorial sample files, models, and bitmaps
• Exclusive plug-ins from Furious Research, including Rainbow atmospheric effect, Sketch render effect, and many more

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Review of Experience XSI 4: The Official SOFTIMAGE | XSI 4 Guide to Character Creation (Paperback)

I recently decided to get back into 3D after a number of years out of the loop. After experimentation with the top applications (Maya, XSI, 3DMax and Lightwave, plus a number of less well known applications such as Cinema4D), I decided to go with XSI. Maya came a close second: XSI just seemed easier and more intuitive.

The next problem was finding some teaching material to learn XSI with. There are literally hundreds of courses, books and DVDs for Maya, but only a handful for XSI. This was a fact that almost made me go for Maya (there is no point gettinga high powered application if you dont know how to use that power!), but I took the precaution of actually reading some of the XSI books, and boy was I impressed - although there are far fewer XSI books out there, the quality of them exceeds many other digital authoring and computer books I have read. As a computer book author and freelance web designer myself, thats no mean feat... I get through a lot of books!

There are only two books you need to get up to speed with XSI: The XSI:Illuminated:Foundation (published by Mesmer) and this book.

The expertise of the authors of the Experience XSI 4 books is obvious just by flicking through the pages. One of the authors was actually involved in the development of XSI itself, and the other is a noted CGI professional. You just can't go wrong with tutors like these!

The other surprise was the high production values and low price of the book: full color gloassy paper throughout. This is not a showy color book with little technical depth though, far from it. It is packed with concise and totally practical tutorials.

Perhaps one downside of the book is that the authors push you straight in at the deep end: the character you create is commercial quality (ie it would not look out of place in a Hollywood motion picture). For me, thats an advantage not a pitfall: I'd rather be working slowly through a book that showed me how to create a believable, realistic character than fly through 300 pages creating cubes, matchstick men and simple rotating logos!

Highly recommended.

S


Product Description
XSI is the next generation in digital animation software. It was used to create some of the first realistic CG characters developed for film and it continues to be used by artists and animators worldwide in new and creative ways and in many different fields-from computer games to the film industry, from commercials to music videos. This official Softimage guide will show you how you can effectively use XSI to create compelling, lifelike characters. You'll cover each step-from designing and modeling to rendering and compositing. Learn how you can use Behavior to create intelligent characters that can interact with one another to form a realistic 3D animated crowd. You'll also cover scripting and how it can be used to save time and increase productivity.

About the Author
As a teenager growing up in Arlington Texas, Aaron Sims began his career working for famed commercial illustrator Don Ivan Punchatz. After moving to Los Angeles in 1985, Aaron began designing, sculpting, and painting creatures for the movie makeup effects. In 1988, Sims joined Rick Baker's Academy Award® winning Cinovation Studios Inc. He further developed his skills as a team member on "Gremlins 2" (Head Painter), "Baby's Day Out" (Head Painter/Cosmetic Supervisor), "Batman Forever" (Painter/Sculptor), and "Batman and Robin" (Painter/Sculptor). Sims went on to lead various projects at Cinovation, designing and sculpting the Grandma Klump prosthetic makeup on "The Nutty Professor", the Worm Guys and other aliens in "Men in Black", the Willie character prosthetic make-up in "Life", and the new Grandma Klump prosthetic make-up in "The Nutty Professor 2". Sims became Project Supervisor on "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" Sims sculpted and painted the Baby Grinch character, oversaw its construction, and puppeteered the character on set. He designed many of the ‘Who' Character prosthetics as well. Always looking for ways to expand his artistic ability, in the late 90's Sims began exploring the medium of computer animation. Sims joined Stan Winston Studio in 2000 and began building a digital design shop within the Academy Award winning effects house. In 2001, he joined SW Digital, the design division at Stan Winston Studio. SW Digital has since designed characters for "Terminator 3", and completed and all digital promotional trailer TRAKK for Stan Winston Creatures, the action figure and comics division of Stan Winston Studio.

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