For courses in Graphics Applications, Director, Authorware, PowerPoint, 3D Studio Max, and Animation. If you are creating logos and broadcast animations-the better part of the MAX population-you don't need books telling you how to make watered down versions of cinematic special effects. Instead, you need a book that focuses on how to integrate your ideas and generate compelling, artistic animations with 3D Studio MAX 3 Media Animation reveals secrets that were developed by long hours of head scratching and fine-tuning. They are simple and can be used in many different aspects of MAX animation.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
For any up-and-coming animator searching for ways to create flying logos or make animated titles look more professional and polished, your search is over. 3D Studio Max 3 Media Animation is an outstanding book for mid-level artists using Kinetix's powerful animation software for motion graphics and animated logos. (Many of the basic principles and techniques can be applied to other software packages as well.)
Full of step-by-step tutorials from examples that are glitzy, cutting-edge, and totally professional, this book describes in detail approaches to animated media logos from start to finish. Projects range from a sample storyboard describing the action, to importing files from other programs to use as templates for models, all the way through final lighting and rendering.
The last section, called "Real World Case Studies," breaks down and analyzes three animated logo openings for NBC's Weekend Magazine, Upfront Tonight, and NBC News: Decision 98. The CD-ROM includes Max project files and source material from these projects.
Although the book focuses on animated logos and opening titles, there is plenty here to learn from. Novices beware--some knowledge of 3D Studio Max is assumed. However, if you feel that your work has reached a plateau or that you've fallen into a rut of mediocre work, 3D Studio Max 3 Media Animation is the ideal guide to elevate your work to the next level. --Mike Caputo
From Library Journal
3D Studio MAX is very expensive, powerful software used for film and TV special effects and interactive game design. Those just learning or upgading to 3D Studio MAX 3 should start with Peterson's book, which outlines MAX design concepts and then provides an extended discussion of nurbs, patches, composition, and basic animation techniques. It includes illustrated examples, hands-on exercises, and helpful notes and tips. Designers with more experience will want animator Chismar's manual. He covers filmstrips, logos, motion capture, texture mapping, lens flares, and a variety of real-world case studies.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This one's a winner,
By
This review is from: 3D Studio MAX 3(r) Media Animation (Textbook Binding)
Most MAX users quickly discover that they must continuously participate in a learning process, in order to master and remain current with the program and its various upgrades, and one soon realizes that tutorials are an invaluable learning aid. However, one also quickly learns that, for every well-written tutorial you find (e.g. Jon Bell's wonderful books), you must wade through many others that are lacking in detail or content. Well, if you're looking for some really terrific lessons, which exemplify the art of tutorial writing, have I got a book for you! A few weeks ago, just before MAX 3 arrived, I found a collection of tutorials that I can honestly say are some of the best I've seen. They're contained in a book called "3D Studio MAX 3 Media Animation", written by John P. Chismar, and published by New Riders (ISBN 0-7357-0050-8) (Retail $49.99, but $39.99 at Amazon). This book will be of particular interest to those who are interested in learning the best ways to create and use animated logos and splash screens. However, even if you're not, there's still much more in the book that is of value to all users who want to utilize and master the new features of MAX 3 as well as those carried forward from previous versions. For example, for those who think that all there is to importing and using Adobe Illustrator files is to learn where the Import 'button' is located, you will quickly discover there's a lot more to learn. How many of us employ Motion capture in our animations or even know how useful a tool it is, even if we only have a mouse and a keyboard? Want to learn more about correctly lighting that new creation, or applying complex materials? The techniques covered are extensive, and are really too numerous to mention here. But I certainly must pass on some comments concerning the overall quality of these tutorials. In my opinion, the writing is exemplary, the tutorials are extremely well devised and laid out, instructions are clear, concise and detailed, and illustrations are plentiful. The author also offers additional information on why you should probably use one particular technique over another, or he suggests alternative approaches that will also work. All necessary files are supplied, including examples of alternative techniques, and all that I've used so far have worked flawlessly. In the past, the quality of the tutorials in some of the New Riders books has been questioned, but they've produced a winner with this one. And I know this testimonial may suggest that I have a stake in the profits or know the author personally, but I assure you that I do not. I just wanted to share my discovery with you, and say "well done, John". You've set the standard for others to follow. Buy this book; you'll enjoy it....................................Frank E. Lancaster
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real Inspiration,
By A Customer
This review is from: 3D Studio MAX 3(r) Media Animation (Textbook Binding)
I've read several MAX books before, but few of them compared with the content found here. Although creating port side fly bye's of space ships is a lot of fun and a great way to impress your friends, Mr. Chismar has finally delivered a MAX reference for what most of us will actulaly be using 3D Studio Max for. The quality of writing is excellent, and I can't speak highly enough about the content. Media graphics are an area of 3d Design that most of us think we know hot to do, but this book inspired and reminded me of what being a 3D artist is all about. Getting a job (and paid)for doing something you love. I'm looking forward to seeing Mr. Chismar release more material of this type.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More please!,
By Dark Strider "Strider" (Berlin) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 3D Studio MAX 3(r) Media Animation (Textbook Binding)
Wow, that's by far the best book I ever read about 3D Studio MAX. It gives so much help, and it is very well written. You forget the time when you read it and when you are at the end, you wish there would be more, more, more of that well explained animations! This is the book I waited for: one that shows you step by step how you do a GREAT looking animation. I big pleeeease to the author: could we have more of that? :-)
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