3D Animation: From Models to Movies (With CD-ROM) [Paperback]

Adam Watkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

Creating professional-quality graphics and animations requires a combination of artistic and technical talent; but even before you can put these skills to work, you need a solid understanding of the digital 3D world. With the hands-on instruction provided here you learn how to master the 3D world, and apply this understanding to the art of animation. Written for designers and students just beginning in animation, 3D Animation: From Models to Movies provides concise coverage of the fundamentals of 3D to ensure that learning animation is a smooth and enjoyable journey. If you are already working in 3D, taking a course, or just want to hone your skills, this is the right resource for you. Through a variety of practical tutorials, you will learn everything from understanding 3D to modeling, rendering, texturing, lighting, and animation. The tutorials use a variety of projects and programs to illustrate the techniques. Maxon Cinema4D XL v6, Strata StudioPro 3D, and NewTek LightWave v6 are the primary programs used, but the techniques covered can be easily applied to other professional-quality programs including Animation:Master, 3D Studio Max, Maya, or SoftImage. So even if you are not using one of the three primary programs covered, you will be able to apply the skills you learn to your program of choice.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The main problem with embarking on a career in 3-D graphics is one of choice--the tools are many, and the avenues for work are all over the map. It's difficult to choose a specific type of work, and often you don't even know the kind of question to ask to get started.

Consider 3-D Animation: From Models to Movies a compass, a road map, and even a means of transportation. This clearly written book puts the world of 3-D computer graphics into perspective for the novice who doesn't know a pixel from a polygon. Over the course of 15 chapters, the author discusses the very basics of computer graphics and how 3-D applications work, and then puts them in perspective against other applications of the genre.

3-D Animation introduces us to the digital workflow and how the 3-D world works--orientation, navigation, basic tools, expressions, and features common to most 3-D applications. By the third chapter, the book is deep into practical matters by starting off with modeling basics. Subsequent chapters cover texturing, lighting, rendering, and animation.

The best chapter is less about the craft of 3-D graphics and more about the business. Chapter 15, "Getting the Job," consists of a helpful five pages on how to get an interview, what job descriptions mean, generic dos and don'ts, and, more importantly, demo reel dos and don'ts. (No flying logos or spaceships, please!) Learning a skill is one thing; finding a job is another. This chapter offers solid advice for any first-timer.

There are few entry-level 3-D graphics books that come with a fully functioning 3-D application. The companion CD-ROM is a full working copy of the venerable Strata 3D application. Strata's been around for a while, and while Strata 3D doesn't have all the features that Strata Studio Pro does, it's still a very good application with full rendering and file-saving abilities.

If you don't own a 3-D application yet, this book and the software on the CD-ROM are a great way to get your virtual feet wet. --Mike Caputo

About the Author

Adam Watkins (San Antonio, TX) is the director of Computer Arts at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. He has a BFA in theater set and lighting design, and an MFA in graphic design. His previous books include The Maya 4.5 Handbook, Final Cut Pro 3 and DVD Studio Pro Handbook, and 3D Animation: From Models to Movies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 430 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 1st edition (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584500239
• ISBN-13: 978-1584500230
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,787,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good headstart in 3D, November 8, 2000

By 

David Drosd (Euclid, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 3D Animation: From Models to Movies (With CD-ROM) (Paperback)

The good things: -covers C4D (and screen shots of other apps) -offers great tuts in terms of making your own shaders and such. -the animation section is clearly written and a joy to follow -leads the newbie and intermediate 3D'r by the hand so you don't get lost.

The not so good: (*none* of which are the fault of Adam Watkins but rather the publisher) -all b/w but for a small 4 color insert -the b/w screen captures are a bit muddyand small making it difficult to make out details However, mention is made that there are full color pics of ALL book illustrations on the enclosed CD. -in the radiosity section (Pp 289) where a wireframe should be is the same grayscale photo just underneath...thereby making it tough to figure out the scene setup.

There are excellant examples of things we all have seen and some stuff we haven't from Alec Syme,Chad Griffiths, Ryan Crippen and of course Adam Watkins, to mention a few. Oh, and a couple "3d" pics from Phil McNally's Pump Action...you'll need your own set of red ans green lens 3D glasses for these pics.

Though there are many tuts for how to do this and that ... there are things like the metaballs pic by Alec that were not covered for a how to. That's just me though...I see a pic and want to know how'd he do that?

All in all the book is a must for your library... you'll go back and revisit it often.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete course under one cover, January 23, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 3D Animation: From Models to Movies (With CD-ROM) (Paperback)

3D Animation: From Models To Movies is a complete introduction to the creation of professional quality computer generated animation imaging. Key features included comprehensive coverage of fundamental 3D graphics required for animation; exercises to develop and hone computer animation skills; detailed tutorials for cover modeling, texturing, rendering, lighting, animation, and special effects; a color gallery displaying the work of talented students and artists; and an informative survey of cross-platform issues with explanations of how to apply animation techniques to a variety of software applications. 3D Animation is a complete course under one cover, and it's accompanying CD runs on either Windows or Mac, features a demo version of Maxon's Cinema 4D XLv6, a complete version of Strata 3D; all book images in full color, and tutorial support files.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Obsolete, February 6, 2003

By 

Bob from the Midwest (The Middle of No Where) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 3D Animation: From Models to Movies (With CD-ROM) (Paperback)

Maybe 3 years ago it would have been a good choice, but now - don't bother.