An Introduction to 3D Computer Graphics

Maya is a 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and paint software package that delivers all the tools and features 3D artists need to produce animation and visual effects on the computer. From feature films to interactive video games, Maya lets you play the role of director, actor, set designer and cinematographer as you build, render and animate digital characters and scenes.

In The Art of Maya, every page is full of diagrams and illustrations that show you how to build and manipulate geometry, skeleton joints, deformers, particles, shading groups, lights and cameras. The diagrams describe these computer graphic concepts in a way that will help you understand how you can use Maya in your own work.

This book is an excellent resource for all Maya users and includes an introduction to computer graphics that will help people new to the world of 3D animation. The book finishes with articles that outline how Maya was used in actual productions for film, television, and interactive games.

An Introduction to 3D Computer Graphics

Maya is a 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and paint software package that delivers all the tools and features 3D artists need to produce animation and visual effects on the computer. From feature films to interactive video games, Maya lets you play the role of director, actor, set designer and cinematographer as you build, render and animate digital characters and scenes.

In The Art of Maya, every page is full of diagrams and illustrations that show you how to build and manipulate geometry, skeleton joints, deformers, particles, shading groups, lights and cameras. The diagrams describe these computer graphic concepts in a way that will help you understand how you can use Maya in your own work.

This book is an excellent resource for all Maya users and includes an introduction to computer graphics that will help people new to the world of 3D animation. The book finishes with articles that outline how Maya was used in actual productions for film, television, and interactive games.

Just a catalogue

I’m an Animator and an Animation/VFX teacher and I find this book like an illustrated catalogue (printed on high quality paper) of what can you do with Maya. It goes through the production proccess of animation in a VERY general way. Recommended just for newbies and summer courses.

for people with money to burn only

boy, this book takes me back. sophomore year of college this was a "required" book--thanks, teachers, for forcing us poor (literally!!) college students to shell out $60 for what could essentially be information shown and talked about in 45 minutes of class time. all this book does is explain how maya is great (i agree, maya is a great program...but i don’t need a $60, glossy, nicely printed REQUIRED book to tell me that!)

You can literally learn everything in this book by googling for information.

Worthy for those with some previous experience...

If you’re looking for an in depth detailing on how to use Maya this book isn’t for you, I’d suggest reading the Maya Saavy series instead. As hobbyist Maya user for the last two years I did find this very interesting though. Unlike many technically oriented books, it visually illustrates the different parameters of the tools and methods. The examples are vivid, large and well labeled. Such as the paint effects section, you can see the difference in choosing tube length and the possibilities you have by applying pressure sensitive strokes. The back is filled with case studies and the various ways Maya is integrated into daily CG work, such as the classic Bingo animation or the morph targets used in Vampire the Masquerade game.

I recommend that users with some degree of Maya experience, that are visual learners give this book a chance. Do NOT expect to learn how to deal with the interface or skin a character, purchase a book more specialized for modelling, creating shaders, etc..

Just what I needed to start using Maya

Before I purchased "Art of Maya" I looked through it at a local bookstore. I was impressed with how clearly it laid out a series of quick tips and techniques. As others have noted, it is not a "manual" nor does it claim to be. But, it shows many important techniques that a new user to 3D and Maya can get going on creating with Maya in a relatively short period of time. In many instances, the techniques shown helped clarify areas of operation that I did not understand via the built-in tutorials that came with Maya. I still have much to read in this book. I highly recommend it.

the contents is not suitable for the title

the printing is very beatiful,the cover is attractive, but
thier is no wide explanation for the ideas,no depth in the concepts,you can name it dictionary of maya not art of maya.

a useless book except the CD-ROM Maya PE5

this book is useless. after finish the whole book, you will know nothing about CG or Maya. The book comes with Maya Personal Edition software which is useful, but soon will be available free from maya website.

Another review

Maya as a computer program is wonderful. I like it much more than 3d studio max. I think this program is gaining market share and will continue to, especially since it is cheaper than 3d studio max.
This book clearly establishes the pros and cons of Maya versus 3d studio max, and how to use it. Very nice.