"Maya Character Modeling and Animation" is written for beginning to intermediate-level readers and 3D artists who want to learn 3D character modeling and animation using Maya[registered]. The book is organized in a unique style that allows users to learn Maya gradually by working through a series of short projects. Each new topic is introduced with the relevant animation principles and then put to work through detailed tutorials.

Maya Character Modeling and Animation: Principles and Practice is for beginning- to intermediate-level designers and 3D artists who want to learn 3D character modeling and animation using Maya. The book is organized in a unique style that uses a series of projects to teach you how to model, rig, and animate your own characters. The book covers the mechanical aspects of animation production, and explains how to create compelling animations of professional quality. If you are ready to take on the challenge of animation, this is the book for you. You?ll fi nd all the insights and techniques you need to start animating your own characters!

Maya Character Modeling and Animation is written for beginning to intermediate-level students and 3D artists who want to learn 3D character modeling and animation using Maya®. The book is organized in a unique style that allows users to learn Maya gradually by working through a series of short projects. Each new topic is introduced with the relevant animation principles and then put to work through detailed tutorials. The book begins with an overview of the modeling and animation processes and an introduction to the basic terminology. From there, the Maya interface is introduced and the details and concepts of the physics of motion are explored. The book also teaches users how to develop their observation skills by creating and using sketches and reference footage. It explores the basics of conveying emotion through a simple sack animation, which also provides a good introduction to modeling and rigging. In addition, NURBS modeling, path animation, and the concept of blocking are covered in detail. Users also learn the steps for developing a character and modeling it using polygons, and then explore the principles and technical details of rigging. Because a large percentage of animation involves humans or bipeds, understanding walk cycles is essential, so they are taught through multiple exercises, ranging from basic walks to emotional walks and jumps. The book not only covers the mechanical aspects of animation, but it also explains how emotion and character affect the planning of animation. The book concludes with coverage of facial expressions and teaches Maya?s technical mechanism for modeling and animating faces.

good for all

Thi book, is really good for all,
with simple exercises it teach about a character, from modeling to animation.

Cool book.

This is a very good book! I really like it. I am still reading and find it very helpful.

A top pick, especially for college-level art and computer libraries strong in Maya references.

Both beginners and intermediate designers and 3D artists who want to learn the basics of character modeling and animation with Maya will relish the blend of step-by-step instruction, an accompanying cd-rom filled with chapter-oriented details and backup movies and presentations, and an attention to clear explanations of the animation process from start to finish. Screen shots and step-by-step examples on building a character model make MAYA CHARACTER MODELING & ANIMATION a top pick, especially for college-level art and computer libraries strong in Maya references.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

For the Beginning to Intermediate User

Designed for the beginning to intermediate user, this book is aimed at the artist who want to learn 3D character modeling and animation using Maya. It is suitable for either classroom or individual use.

This book has an interesting combination between a theoretical/reference book and a tutorial book. Each chapter starts with a theory or reference section that gives the basic concepts for that chapter. This is followed by a detailed tutorial or two. For instance Chapter 2 is entitled ’Fundamentals of Computer Animation.’ The theory section goes into the physics of how things move. This is important because people have an instinctive understanding of movement. The first tutorial then is on making a light and then a heavy ball bounce on the screen. Then the second tutorial makes the ball squash as it hits and then stretch as it bounces back into shape.

At the end of the book you won’t be quite up to Pixar standards, but you’ll be well on your way.

The CD-ROM supplied with the book contain project files including all of the figures from the book, organized into folders by chapter, all of the movies, organized by chapter and contained in folders called movies, and all of the Maya working files.