The new edition of this perennial bestseller is the ideal initiation to 3D and Maya. Starting with the basics, it builds from the ground up, combining straightforward text with practical examples that make it fun and easy to learn Maya’s core tools while introducing the latest Maya 2008 features. Follow clear-cut, step-by-step lessons while you learn by doing using a wealth of hands-on files provided on the CD. You’ll also find compelling examples in the full-color insert.

Helping me out with animation mentor’s "Introduction to Maya Springboard."

The online classes with maya springboard ([...]) updates the online tutorials at odd times and not reliable as of 2008 october and november course. The audio some time’s lags with instructors due to my not so great DSL and i easily have been lost in my notes a few times.

I have never used Maya, but was savvy with XSI. This book is GREAT if you know the general concepts of 3d applications but still learning. With the syllabus from Maya springboard paired up with this book, ive been on track. I’m glad i made the investment with this book and find it to be a great value at [...](i paid full at a local store.) You wont regret paying for it at under [...] bucks here on amazon.

excellence

i didn’t actually end up buying this last minute, so you should get it if it’s still available; this person has great customer service

Great book.

I have been doing visual fx for a living for 15 years and have read quite a few books over the years... This is definitely one of the better one I have used. If you have little or no experience with Maya and need to learn the basics, this is an excellent book. The tutorials are fun and very well explained. A great beginners’ book.

Not good

This book drove me crazy. I’ve read several manuals for various programs and this one was the worst. Occasional typos can amount to a serious learning block with a program like Maya where it is hard for beginners to backtrack their errors. Derakshani assumes too much in constantly referring to commands in previous chapters without restating how to make them happen. Maya is quite complex and the book is way too oversimplified and lazily written. Thumbs way down!

Much reading at the beginning, fun as reward

This book just ROCKS! written in a telling style, with a bit of humor and generally easy to follow. I am happy that Dariush Derakshani explaines why he uses certain settings on functions, and what the results are if you don’t do it that way.

only but a few small errors now and than, but nothing more than a wrong option button mentioned or so wich had more books about 3D programs I own so that is not realy a minus.

The first two chapter are nothing more but general information(naturally), wich may be boring and of point to some people, but thereafter the fun starts with especially chapter four in wich you will make a complicateted object of wich you can be proud of when you are finished.In that chapter also, you can find out that there is more than one manner to accomplish something. One time I could not find a function Dariush explained, and ended up using a differend approach, with the same result:P.

I am not yet finished with the book but sofar, I love it... I can see my understanding of 3D and Skills growing everyday.

Introducing Maya 2008

Great info in this book from Mr. Derakhshani. Very up to date using autodesk’s most recent Maya 2008 and info on lots of shortcuts to make things less overwhelming. Mr. Derakhshani has written many books on 3d and it shows from his ability to make quite a complex program so easy to grasp.

Joe

Excellent Beginner’s Book!!

This book is pretty easy to use, but it has a main drawback and it is that it lacks of figures. For someone like me that learns through images it gets a little bit difficult to read all things written on it. But putting aside that small detail I recommend it. Nice practices and straight to the point, so you can learn what is intended to learn.