3ds Max: Character Modeling (DVD-ROM) [DVD-ROM]

Jim Lammers (Author), Kenny Cooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2004

3ds max Character Modeling will take you through each step of modeling a character from head to toe. Starting with photographs of a human female model, source photography is prepared for modeling. Then, every step from the first polygon to the final tweak is illustrated and explained. Not only do you learn to build a human in general, but you'll build a specific human that matches the person in the photographs.

The 16 page book is a handy guide to the included DVD disc. The DVD disc (data format) includes over 16 hours of high-resolution (1024x768) video in Quicktime™ MOV format, designed for crystal clear viewing on a computer monitor. Voice narraration on these movies by artists Kenny Cooper and Jim Lammers will guide you through each movie. A 3ds max scene file is saved on the disc for the start and end of each movie segment - 48 segments in all. DVD includes 48 Quicktime movies, plus source photography, all images used, and scene files that are compatible with both max 5 and 6. Tutorials were created in max 6 but the techniques and methodology are totally max 5-compatible.

Designed for the intermediate level 3ds max user, this training video will help you learn how to use polygonal and sub-divisional modeling tools to create a fully articulated human 3D model. Follow along as each body part is created, matched, attached and refined.

- Includes printed guide to all 48 movies
- 16 hours of Quicktime™ Movies with audio
- Suitable for intermediate 3ds max users (advise that you have a basic understanding of 3ds max before beginning)
- High resolution 1024x768 captures
- Movies created using 3ds max 6
- Produced by Jim Lammers, co-author of the best-selling Maya Fundamentals books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I highly recommended Advanced Max Character Modeling to anyone interested in learning detailed, organic modeling. It's well worth the $45. -- CreativeCow.com web site, January 4, 2006

About the Author

Kenny Cooper is an animator at Trinity Animation, Inc. Kenny has been using Maya for over 5 years and was one of the founders of the popular 3D Palace web site and contributed many of their popular Maya tutorials. He attended the University of Computer Technology in Phoenix, Arizona before working at Trinity Animation. Jim Lammers is an animator, instructor, and reseller of Maya based in Kansas City, Missouri. A graduate of the University of Missouri's electrical engineering program, he switched to freelance animation within a few years of graduation and eventually formed his company, Trinity Animation, in 1992. Since then, Jim has combined animation production with training and 3D software sales, including plug-in developer Boomer Labs and Alias. Trinity Animation's Web site is a primary source for 3D software worldwide. Jim coordinates the Kansas City Animation User Group and continues to produce animation. He created 3D effects for the Sony/TriStar film Starship Troopers in 1997 under the renowned Hollywood effects veteran Peter Kuran and his company, VCE. His other past animation work includes visualization projects for clients such as Nestle, McDonald's, and Butler Manufacturing. Jim can be reached at [e-mail].

Product Details

• DVD-ROM: 16 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Animation, Inc. (March 30, 2004)
• ISBN-10: 097068553X
• ISBN-13: 978-0970685537
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,111,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely Done, September 11, 2004

By 

Beastman - See all my reviews

This review is from: 3ds Max: Character Modeling (DVD-ROM) (DVD-ROM)

This was a very in depth tutorial, I enjoyed it very much. Jim Lammers and Kenny Cooper did a very good job going through all the steps of modeling a character. The tutorial is very in depth, they went over the steps in taking pictures for guides for the model, went through the steps in photoshop as well unlike most of the tutorials I have seen. Once in 3d max they did a great job of actually going through all of the modeling with you unlike most tutorials where they give you directions for parts and skip them actually doing it. If you are looking for a great, easy to follow, in depth human modeling tutorial then this is the product you want.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent! like taking a class on character modelling, January 30, 2008

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: 3ds Max: Character Modeling (DVD-ROM) (DVD-ROM)

I bought this DVD and have been walking through the tutorials in 3DS Max 2008, and it is still fully applicable, since the UI has not changed much in 3DS Max since this DVD was made (3Ds Max 6 i think)

It is great that you get to see the person work, and follow along. As the movie segments go on, you develop more and more comfort, and therefore get to apply some of your own creativity in where you would want to put the vertices, etc. I do not like tutorials where if a single one of your vertices is out of place, then following the rest of the tutorial is impossible -- this DVD is definitely not like that -- what you end up with is truly your own creation.

One thing to mention is that this is an overall tutorial for the whole body - and you do each part in detail, so it takes an investment of time and patience if you want to see it through. Think of it more like attending a class on character modelling, not just a quick walkthrough. I worked on it each night until I felt I was tired, and then would continue next night or even a few nights later.

Overall, I found this DVD great.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Guess I should have paid attention to the title, August 10, 2005

By 

Jeffrey J. Osborn "Has Opposable Thumbs." (Broomfield, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 3ds Max: Character Modeling (DVD-ROM) (DVD-ROM)

This video is EXCELLENT if you want to know how to model a character. Heck, I even learned things about Paintshop Pro (they use photoshop, but PSP has a lot of the same features) that I never knew existed. The only reason they didn't get a 5 is that I was hoping that they would cover Rigging, Skinning and Animation. Since the title is Modeling, I guess that's all it is. Don't get me wrong, if you want to create a character model, there's no better resource-- the videos are thorough and complete, but Rigging and (especially) skinning a high-polygon model are pretty tough undertakings and it would be nice to have a video course on that. I checked out the home page of the folks who did this disk and they didn't have anything on Rigging and Skinning (sigh). Great disk, though.