Book Description
This exceptional, full-colour Autodesk Maya Press title - produced by Autodesk, the software's creators - uses Sony's full-length animated "Open Season" for the book's all-new hands-on tutorials for Maya 8. By following the step-by-step tutorials, readers will learn the Maya interface and the basics of modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects using real-world production files from a full-length feature film. The DVD provides further reinforcement with instructor-led tutorial videos and other resources for extended learning.
With this book readers will:
- Become familiar with the Maya User Interface
- Work in 3D space
- Model with NURBS (Spline)
- Model with Polygons
- Set Keyframes and Motion Paths
- Learn to use Trax Non-linear animation
- Apply Forward and Inverse Kinematics
- Deform surfaces
- Set cameras and lights
- Create Shaders and Textures
- Discover rendering techniques
- Explore particles and Dynamics
- Begin to use MEL (Maya Embedded Language)
Customer Reviews:
Great step by step.......2007-08-31
This book is an amazing beginner book. Within the first few lessons you have an understanding of how to use maya and the Projects are excellent.
I have learnt so much from this book.
Follow it page for page and you will be able to master Maya
Helpful Book.......2007-08-10
This book is well structured and easy to use for reference. It is set at a good level for beginning learning. If you want a book that goes more in depth about more advanced things in Maya, this might not be for you. This book contains a good foundation for learning, but does not go in depth when it comes to critical processes such as skin weights.
An Excellent Way to Learn Maya.......2007-08-07
I purchased this book recently for a 3D animation class I am taking at school, and I have found it to be an excellent way to learn Maya. Although this book is for Maya version 8, I use version 8.5 and have noticed only very minor differences (nothing to worry about).
This book is in full color, which makes the screenshots easy to follow. The introduction starts out with a general overview of all aspects of Maya, which helped me to understand better how things worked together from the very beginning. Each of the five major projects in the book focus on reproducing elements from Sony Picture's CG movie Open Season, as shown on the book cover. These projects are completely new from the Maya 7 version of this book. It was kind of cool to create things that were used in a real movie.
I felt the learning curve was pretty well thought out. The writers of the book realize how complex the Maya software is, and they give you instructions on how to perform certain tasks several times before expecting you to remember on your own. The book also comes with a supplementary DVD which contains lots of extras, including the completed Maya files from every chapter in the book, just in case you get stuck or want to skip ahead.
This book is an excellent learning tool for someone new to Maya, or perhaps an intermediate user who wants to more fully understand how to use the software.
for beginner.......2007-07-23
this book shows very easy way to study maya program.
colorful and thoughful.
Excellent resource.......2007-07-08
Learning Autodesk Maya 8|Foundation +DVD
by Autodesk Maya Press is an excellent guide to the wonderful world of 3D animation using the Maya 8 software. The authors guide you through the complete process involved in working on an animated feature film and the hands-on projects provide you with an excellent opportunity to develop the skills to work at a major studio.
George Leslie Hicks
Hicks Animation Studios
Book Description
Create positively dazzling effects with the unique insights and practical advice in this innovative guide from a working professional Maya artist. Need to create plasmatic energy by lunch? Animate a field of sprouting daisies before tomorrow’s meeting? Fashion a force field by Friday? With Maya’s flexible toolset and the unique tutorials in this book, you’ll learn how to solve real-world problems, improvise, and finish your professional assignments on time and with flair.
Customer Reviews:
Great idea for effects artist that want to go beyond the basics.......2007-07-23
This is one of the best effects books I've purchased. It's not intended for people that just start out with effects, it's meant for people that want to learn to do actually work. I like the realworld format of the book, with projects that are similar to what you would get in actual production. Great Book!
A must have for Maya users........2007-06-10
This book is a must have for Maya users who are interest in becoming VFX artists or Generalists.
I've bought many Maya books and I must say that I feel I've gotten the biggest bang for my buck with one.
Looking forward to Eric Keller's next book.
Rudy Sarzo
Interesting read.......2007-05-30
Its not as boring as other manuals, and it explains how to accomplish things, while bringing the ideas of how to use them in better situations. I really enjoy the reality of client speak that is presented in it.
Go beyond Maya.......2007-05-13
This is an excellent book for advanced maya users, teaches some great tricks with latices and light effects.
Has some nice little Gems!.......2007-04-06
If you are interested in taking your existing knowledge of Maya to the next level then Eric's book is a great place to start. The book is laid out logically and easy to follow. The step-by-step examples have plenty of color images makeing it easy to understand. Eric has touched on very broad areas from texturing to rigging some complex setups. There are plenty of Mel and expression examples that add some more complexity with nice results. Many of examples Eric shows can be used for an array of other projects that you may encounter later on.
Amazon.com
To truly know Maya is to know MEL, and to know MEL, you should read Learning Maya 5: MEL Fundamentals. MEL (Maya Embedded Language) is the underlying engine on which Maya is built. MEL makes everything possible, and with MEL you can do almost anything, from creating your own interface for Maya to creating self-animating objects to making blanket changes to a single attribute for every object in a project.
But while explaining what MEL is takes only a sentence or two, learning how it works and making it do what you want can easily take many volumes, or one good one. MEL Fundamentals is perhaps the best introduction to MEL to come along in years. Twelve chapters, 250 pages, and a CD full of files takes the beginning MEL user/Maya artist on a trip into the inner workings of Maya and shows how to use MEL for everything from adding items to shelves to altering the workspace to controlling animated objects.
There are numerous outstanding examples throughout the book such as how to rig a light to flicker on each time it turns on instead of just switching on, or how to add countless railroad ties to a set of train tracks, or how to control the animation of the flowing wings of a Manta Ray by controlling one object. The section on creating custom UIs can turn into a very valuable chapter for those looking to save time by customizing the interface. Here, you'll learn how to create your own windows with your own buttons for the most frequently used commands, or create sets of windows that feature different toolsets for various modes of working. MEL is a powerful and complex tool, and one that shouldn't be overlooked or thought of as a geek's tool.
Learning Maya 5: MEL Fundamentals, part of the "Learning Maya" series from Sybex, includes a CD containing all files referred to throughout the book, and a DVD that introduces some of the features new to Maya 5, making this book and the whole series a valuable asset for any Maya artist. --Mike Caputo
Book Description
"This book...is long overdue, and something that Maya users will undoubtedly welcome with open text editors"
--Joaquin Kino Gil, CreativeCOW.net
Learning Maya 5: MEL Fundamentals is you key to harnessing the full power of Maya, and you don't have to be a programmer to learn.
MEL (Maya Embedded Language) is the scripting language used by Maya and is the foundation of the Maya User Interface and of many of its tools. Knowing MEL will permit you to customize the Maya UI, automate repetitive tasks, modify existing tools, and even create your own tools. Learning Maya 5 | MEL Fundatmentals is your key to solving production challenges creatively and efficiently. This book is written for the artist, so don't be intimidated if you have no prior programming experience.
Features:
Starting from an introductory level, this book will allow you to explore advanced concepts in a comfortable format. Each topic is explored in both theory and practice so that you'll not only understand the concepts presented, you'll be able to complete easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorials to ensure that you master them. You'll benefit from sample scripts and examples that will prove invaluable to you as your Maya skills increase. In addition, you'll take advantage of valuable chapter-by-chapter overviews provided in QuickTime(r) format on CD-ROM. Offered by Glen Chang, and Alias|Wavefront(TM) Certified Instructor, these helpful movies will allow you to gain additional insight as you work through the book.
With this book you will:
* Explore MEL's role in Maya
* Customize the Maya User Interface with MEL.
* Understand Maya's architecture, Nodes, and Attributes
* Learn MEL commands and syntax.
* Explore variables and expressions.
* Write conditional and looking statements.
* Learn scripting and procedures.
* Get advanced scripting examples.
* Create UI windows, layouts and tools.
And much more...
Customer Reviews:
A good introduction..........2007-06-10
Finding a MEL scripting book with useful, simple examples has been quite challenging for me. MEL Fundamentals does provide a good basic foundation for
understanding what MEL script can be used for, but it could show more...
The book is broken down into several chapters, which cover the basics of the following:
-Understanding what MEL Script is used for
-Using MEL Script to customize the Maya interface
-Using MEL Script to create custom GUIs to control nodes in your scene (Graphical User Interfaces)
-Variables and Expressions
-Conditional Statements (If Else, If Else If, If Else If Else)
-Loops (FOR and FOR IN loops)
-Procedures
The book was written for Maya 5.0 - and I have yet to see an updated text that reflects the most current version of Maya to date (v 8.5 as of this review).
There are several 'real world' examples that will further help students understand how powerful MEL Script really is. One thing I wish the book covered is how to deal with negative numbers in expressions. MEL Fundamentals is sparse in several areas, but this book's intended focus is to provide a quick introduction and nothing more.
The book includes a DVD with all examples already typed in. In addition, the supplied code works in all versions of Maya I have used it with (v5.0, v6.0, v7.0, v8.0 and v8.5).
If you're curious about MEL script and want to learn more, this book provides a decent introduction. Intermediate MEL developers should look elsewhere for in-depth coverage.
Very good book.......2003-11-19
I have not bought this book till now but my friend has and he liked it very much. He should have given a review but he is lazy. So, I am doing his part. A very good book to learn MEL expressions and make use of them in animation. The DVD has some cool stuff focusing on Maya 5 Features and MEL Fundamentals!
Book Description
Designed for busy Maya users like you, this guide offers dozens of how-tos, workarounds, and shortcuts culled from years of experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production pipeline. You’ll discover tricks and timesavers on texturing particles, customizing Paint Effects brushes, modeling polygon faces, creating facial rigs with wire deformers, and much more—and helpful full-color illustrations reinforce the concepts. From modeling, animating, and rigging to texturing and lighting, this book will help you streamline workflow and improve your skills.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing........2007-03-19
This book is full of useful tips and tricks which are presented in a clear and concise manner. The Photo-reference for every item is unequalled by any other Maya book I own. It's a new standard showing how important it is that full color graphics accompany the text for a subject based on graphics production.
I think that Kirk guy is way more handsome than Chandler... But they both add some very useful knowledge to an already knowledgably written subject.
Another "Must Have" Reference for Maya users........2007-03-14
Lee does it again with this reference for all us Maya users of various skill levels. He gives practical tips based on experience in everyday film production! It covers an entire production pipeline using Maya. He even covers Mel scripting in an elementary way, but with advanced functionality! If you are getting into Maya, and want to learn some professional short cuts, or if you've been using Maya every day and want to pick up some new tricks.. This is a resource I can't recommend enough as a Maya user myself.
A unique Maya book.......2007-03-09
A great book to have around for all skill levels. Autodesk Maya is such a deep program, that you find yourself stumbling upon new approaches and techniques each time you use it. This book is a great source to give you a deeper sense of it's functionality. It's packed with years of experience and innovative ideas that can come to life in Maya.
James Chandler.......2007-03-05
Lee really has this book thing down. I love his second book. And wow is that James Chandler handsom.
truly the master.......2007-03-02
Lee Lanier is definitely a Maya wizard. His tips and techniques go across so many components of this powerful software that it's easy to see why they wanted him to write this, his second book. This book is perfect for those who have some Maya background, and I'm sure you will find it to be exactly what your library needs.
Book Description
Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation
Step-by-step instructions combined with in-depth discussions of topics ranging from the importance of good topology to the subtlety of facial expressions, make Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation an excellent all-around resource for the modeling, texturing and rigging of characters.
—William Dwelly, Senior Software TD
Maya Techniques / Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation is you solution for creating convincing characters in Maya. Get hands-on experience with innovative tools and powerful industry-recognized techniques as you learn to model like a pro, set-up your skeleton in a fast and easy way and create realistic facial controls. This book will help you achieve hyper-real characters quickly and effectively.
Get the inside scoop on high-end production techniques from industry pros Erick Miller, Paul Thuriot, and Jeff Unay! Through Project-based lessons, follow Jeff Unay's process for modeling the beast, Paul Thuriot's workflow for rigging the beast's body and Erick Miller's tips and techniques on complex facial rigging for maximum flexibility. The book car5efully delineates the entire production process for the beast's creation, so that you can both understand the individual techniques and how they relate to each other in a pipeline. You'll also take advantage of helpful video demonstrations so you can watch the experts at work.
By examining the entire process, you will learn strategies for creating characters with an emphasis on anatomy and realism. Lessons are designed to cover effective workflows for devising models that can be easily manipulated and animated. The methods discussed in this book can be applied to any setup needs that you may have because you'll learn the rigging process from the concept stage through to pipeline integration.
With this book you will:
-
Be introduced to modeling theories
-
Learn how to use powerful tools like the Soft Modification Tool and the Split Edge Ring Tool.
-
Learn how to create custom hotkeys and marking menus
-
Import image planes and block out a character
-
Create an Adobe Photoshop network
-
Use automation scripts
-
Understand how to use a multiple rig workflow
-
Lock, paint, mirror skin weights, and connect a bound rig to a control rig
-
Create corrective blend shapes, and set-up cluster controls
-
Learn how to create jaw, eye, and lip setups
-
Discover concepts of a realistic skin shader
What you need to use this book
Bonus Features
Customer Reviews:
Good Book.......2007-03-08
I found this book a good overviewer for people who want to practically work in the area of hyper real characters. Its truely is a good reference and practical guide. Although it isnt for beginners, it gives overview of hyper-real character workflow in maya.
great guide for the competent user.......2006-11-19
This is among my favorites of Maya reference books. Admittedly, I was not at an appropriate level of knowledge when I first bought it; however, once my understanding was sufficient, I was incredibly pleased with it. I this book is NOT for absolute beginners. It does not hold your hand and tell you how to do every little thing; if this is what your looking for, I would recommend a more basic intro level book. In terms of techniques, it fills in many of the gaps left by other Alias publications, and is certainly a far cry above Autodesk's lackluster publications.
This book is written presupposing some knowledge of the program and surrounding concepts. When I first began teaching myself Maya, a friend had shown me this book-at the time, I was utterly lost trying to follow it. However, within a month or two my knowledge was sufficient for this book to begin making sense to me.
If you have never used maya and are trying to learn, hold off for a while before buying this. If you are an intermediate level user (confident + comfortable with basic concepts, and a general understanding of most major areas) interested in learning more about professional modeling and rigging techniques, this is for you. A great aspect of this book is the fact that the DVD provides scene files in different stages of tutorial completion, which allows the user to check their work against a "solution," or examine concepts and workflow in greater detail.
This book is extremely helpful for anyone seeking insight into the professional CG world and the workflows and processes thereof.
Awesome book for ADVANCED users!.......2006-11-13
This an amazing reference for advanced digital sculptors, but it just covers far too much inside information and techniques from the edge to really go into step by step detail. The sticky lips techniques are priceless and came at the right time for me. Again, if you don't have atleast 2 years experience using Maya hold on to this book until you do OR get one of the fundamentals books or delve into the numerous instructional DVDs that are available. Once you are very familiar with the Maya interface conventions and have atleast intermediate knowledge Poly modeling characters and character rigging this book will pay major dividends.
Pretty good!.......2006-08-05
I'm not new to maya, but I had some questions about easier UV mapping tool, and this book tells me the hint, contains other useful information that I need to know as a good modeler and animator!
Why I did not learn anything from this book........2006-07-06
Some Maya books are unclear about the real "need to know" steps on creating a model and this is one of those books. It is well known that most really good books about Maya topics come with a DVD with video tutorials that help reinforce the book and further your knowledge. I am sorry to say that this book did not have much to offer in that area.
Unfortunately, I need to give this book a negative rating. The companion DVD was full of interviews that were pointless and about non related topics. Creativity and imagination was definitely not important, as the book did not pay attention to important details.
Directions at some points were to just copy and paste a part of the model and skipping steps. It's like the people who made this book did not want you to learn anything from it and just rushed though making it to get some quick cash.
Book Description
This exceptional, full-color Maya Press title - produced by Alias, the software's creators - is a comprehensive mid-cycle revision that uses the award-winning short film Blue as the basis for the book's all-new hands-on tutorials. Artists, students, educators, and hobbyists will appreciate this book's comprehensible coverage of 3D and Maya basics. Project-focused lessons use actual production files from the film Blue to teach you most of the tools available in Maya Complete. The companion DVD includes instructor-led tutorials, scene files, artist interviews, and Maya PLE. Also includes Alias's Sketchbook Pro Version 1.1.1, $129.99 value.
Customer Reviews:
Definitely for Beginners.......2007-08-22
If your goal is to design a basic character and a simple environment, then this book is definitely for you. It covers all the basics and helps you to get familiar with where the tools are located.
However, if you are already familiar with MAYA, then you'd be better off just going online and finding some tutorials.
Good for students.......2007-08-12
Im a teacher computer, and recomend this book for new students of animation and modeling 3D.
perfect book to learn maya 7.......2007-04-07
This book is the best one I have bought because it explains to you every detail step by step. It also comes with videos explaining how to do each lesson.The best part is that in bonus it brings the software = alias sketchbook pro.
FANTASTIC.......2007-02-26
This book is straight forward, easy to read, and a joy to follow along on the screen to. I am quite impressed with the attention to detail on each of the steps in this book. "Foundation" will give anybody who hasnt used a 3d package before the nessacary skills and information needed to follow on and create their own models.
6 out of 5 stars for such a good book.
(real name is my mothers, i am the one actually working through the book)
Excellent beginners book.......2007-01-17
I have gotten through several chapters of this book and am already finding it extremely helpful in learning this complex program. There are movie lessons on the CD to augment each chapter and they are very helpful in making the lesson material familiar. If the book continues to be as helpful as it has been so far I will be a very satisfied customer.
Perhaps I shouldn't be writing a review so soon, but I am excited that the program is becoming accessible to me.
Book Description
This exceptional, full-color Maya Press title -- produced by Alias, the software's creators -- offers a brand-new approach to teaching modeling and animation using the characters from the Academy Award-winning short film The ChubbChubbs. You'll find instructor-led tutorials, scene files, artist interviews, and Maya Personal Learning Edition on the enclosed DVD.
Customer Reviews:
An Interactive Way to Learn Maya.......2007-05-07
This book was a great way to learn the concepts of Maya. It is colorful and engaging. The book uses fun examples to teach the reader about creating animations.
This book starts out with basic concepts and runs up all the way into complicated animation details. It would be a great book for any level - but absolutely perfect for someone starting out, and looking to become a Maya pro.
worst....guidebook.....ever..............2007-03-28
horrible. as some have said, names are misused, images are confusing,
greatly lacking in explanation. i've been banging my head against this thing for two and a half weeks and i give up. clunky workflow examples and frankly outdated pipeline. anyone interested in a book like this would do themselves a favor by checking out Gnomon Studios or Digital Tutors. they present more sophisticated and intuitive workflows. save your money and use the manual that came with your software as reference with the video guides available from the above mentioned companies. it'll save you from the inevitable ulcers Learning Maya 7 will cause. p.s. been using EIAS since '95. Not new to this game. hope the review helps.
Apparently quite good.......2007-01-09
I gave this as a gift, but the recipient told me it's an excellent resource and well worth the investment
Good for Starters.......2007-01-04
This book was used in my Intermediate 3d Animation course and it's pretty good for the basics of rigging a bipedal character. However, the book tends to be inconsistent with some of its naming conventions for certain bones while rigging, which could confuse a beginner. For example, when they go through and tell you to name all your bones, they tell you to name the "knee" joint "up leg", then a few chapters later, they refer to it as the "knee joint" instead of "up leg."
Perfect.......2006-08-17
This is exactly what i was looking for, i think this is an amazing book if you want to learn....you have to get it.
Book Description
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.
Customer Reviews:
Just a catalogue.......2007-09-11
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.......2007-01-05
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..........2004-03-27
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.......2004-01-22
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.......2003-09-19
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.
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
This spectacular full-color guide takes a brand-new approach to Maya special effects. Brought to you by Alias, creators of Maya, you'll find:
- A new approach to teaching rendering and dynamics using characters and effects from the Oscar-winning short film The ChubbChubbs.
- Coverage of the whole range of special effects topics, including lighting, camera rigging, effects, particles, and rigid bodies.
- Your able to compare effects you create with effects found in the final film.
- A DVD with instructor-led tutorials (Quicktime videos) as well as scene files, artist interviews, and Maya Personal Learning Edition.
Order your copy of this indispensible handbook today!
Customer Reviews:
Good reference.......2007-01-04
Good reference if you know enough about Maya to spot the discrepancies. Some of the tutorials are also buggy in Maya 8.
Good but.......2006-11-10
it has a very bad explation of how alpha in file textures work. In fact one example that showed how to connect "alpha" was actually using black for transparency. Other wise the info is a good foundation. Hope the Maya 8 Version is better.
great rendering and dynamics for maya7.......2005-11-15
A great book for beginners of maya7. It is basicaly the "Rendering" and "Dynamics" books of the Learning Maya6 Book Series all in one. There are over 600 pgs of color diagrams and simple text discriptions. It is very clear and covers many very important aspects of image quality. Unfortunately for me, I already have the Learning Maya6 Book series so there is a lot of redundant information. Though there is enough new info to keep me happy.
The best it gets!.......2005-10-30
These books are a spectacular edition. Alias has been good about teaching in their books, but these books actually have FUN projects! I have enough books that will tell me how to do something (and these are VERY easy to understand) but the only ones that I can actually have fun working with are the ones contained in this new series. Not for the advanced user though. If you want advanced, go for the Maya Tecniques series, not the Learning Maya series. Great books!
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- James Beard's American Cookery
- Coal Miner's Holiday: Stories
- Commanding the Army of the Potomac
- Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
- High-Resolution X-Ray Scattering: From Thin Films to Lateral Nanostructures
- Greening the Ivory Tower: Improving the Environmental Track Record of Universities, Colleges, and Ot
- Midas Of Rockies: Story Of Stratton & Cripple Creek
- Doing Business in the New China: A Handbook and Guide
- Norway Business & Investment Opportunities Yearbook
General
| Graphic Design
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Advanced Maya Texturing and Lighting
Introducing Maya 8: 3D for Beginners +CD
Maya 8 at a Glance +CD
Mastering Maya 8.5 (Mastering)
Maya Visual Effects: The Innovator's Guide
Mental ray for Maya, 3dsMax, and XSI
Maya Professional Tips and Techniques
The Art of Maya: An Introduction to 3D Computer Graphics
Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right
