4x4 Photoshop and 3D: Geometry/Chaos [Paperback]

Tom Muller (Author), Brian Taylor (Author), Nathan Flood (Author), Dave Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1903450462 | ISBN-13: 978-1903450468 | Publication Date: November 2001

The 4x4 Project invited four leading designers, celebrated for their experimental work in 3D, to create new pieces on the theme of "Geometry and Chaos".

• Brian Taylor is the creator of Rustboy.com and XL5design.com
• Nathan Flood is the creator of Nginco.com
• Tom Muller is the creator of XimeraLabs.com
• Dave Smith is the creator of DeepSeat.net

In this book, you'll find the information and the inspiration to bend tools to your own ends. The designers describe how they use applications like 3ds max, Carrara Studio, and Strata 3D to create the components for their final images, before processing them with Photoshop to add depth, color, texture, and complexity.

This book immerses the reader in the four phases of the process:

• Theory: personal accounts of the creative process, manifestos, diaries, mental sketchbooks, and associated ephemera
• "Geometry and Chaos": the finished original art works
• Process: detailed, first-hand technical descriptions of the creation of each piece, along with original source files on the accompanying CD
• Noise and interference: the four designers discuss, sample, and remix their colleagues' work

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you're a 3D artist..it's a thoroughly absorbing read, and certainly recommended. 4 Star Review. -- 3D World Magazine, February 2002

From the Publisher

The 4

The creative process is not a clinical or remote affair. By stepping into this project with Tom, Nathan, Dave, and Brian, you need to be prepared to get your hands dirty. This is a rocky road with highs and lows. The snags and frustrations are not airbrushed out. They will drag you through every dead end, every frustration, en route to their final vision. But from finished artwork through to remixing and cross-pollinating, you will also experience the intense buzz and excitement of creation, innovation, and collaboration. You share in the thrill of four innovative artists doing what they do best, with peers they respect and admire.

The 4x4

Most books are fossils. Designers look back on their body of work; they discuss pieces they once created in response to motivations they once had. We sit on the outside and gaze in at the pinned exhibits.

This book is not a spectator and it is not a museum piece. The 4x4 Project is a catalyst and the authors' words, the readers' thoughts, the artworks and the theories are all ongoing reactions in the creative process.

This book is a laboratory where you can learn from and participate in experimentation.

The accompanying CD provides you with relevant source files for the tutorials, the final, exclusive artworks in unflattened PSD format, and all remixes and digital hybrids spawned by the Project... the next step is yours.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: friendsofED (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903450462
• ISBN-13: 978-1903450468
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,815,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars missing the point!, June 27, 2002

By 

jen wilson (Dundee, Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 4x4 Photoshop and 3D: Geometry/Chaos (Paperback)

people dismissing this book because it does not provide step by step instructions are entirely missing the point of Brian and the other designers motivation in this book. You only have to look at a quote from him to see what I mean...

"If you want to develop an individual look to your work, my advice is not to take the accepted capabilities of a piece of software. Decide what you want to achieve first, and figure out a way of making it happen." - Brian Taylor

The book is inspirational, it shows what can be achieved, I find it strange that people expect a step-by-step account of how to create a work of art?!?!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its a shame......., February 15, 2002

By 

"japour" (SanFranStateUniv graphics lab!!!!!!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 4x4 Photoshop and 3D: Geometry/Chaos (Paperback)

that the first review written for this book is so negative.....
with that much said, if you are looking to learn, training manual style, this book will not help you. If that is what you want,buy a New Rider's 3DMax book and a Photoshop classroom in a book, study art and design for about a year, get cozy with the software, terms, etc, then come back and make this purchase, at $34.99 it is a steal.

So, if you are interested in reading how some of the most creative(Brian Taylor is awesome - - check www.rustboy.com) minds in the design/graphic industry function, get this book quick. It is a book done buy creative folks for creative folks, it is not written by software technicians.

IT IS NOT A USERS MANUAL!!!!

I found the writing style of this book, like most Friends of Ed books (I have two others) to be extremely personal and inviting, I couldnt put it down. Add to that the gorgeous look, and HIGH QUALITY of the works displayed, it is truly a treasure. As a graduating design student working on my SeniorProject, this book could not have come along at a better time.

chaos theory, nanotechnology, geometric analogies, awesome!!!!
the CD which accompanies the book is also excellent, it comes with fully editable Photoshop files, etc, so the tutorials are in there, and they are excellent!!!

remeber all design/art students and admirers, the learning process behind the creation is more valuable than the software which carries it out. concepts..........................

this book is steroids for the designers mind.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Artbook on How to Create "Trendy" 3D Artwork., February 14, 2002

By 

ufobooks (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 4x4 Photoshop and 3D: Geometry/Chaos (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book immensely, please note if you are new to Digital Art this book will be of help, BUT is not a step-by-step guide. This book is more for the intermediate-advance user who knows their way around a "Digital Computer". The book was written as a stepping stone, to explore and create your own art within the confines of Geometry and Chaos, which is really the merging of Photoshop and 3D Programs. If you are looking to be spoon feed, this book is not for you. There is a gold-mine of techniques in the book, and you only need your imagination, and some proficiency in Photoshop and sometype of 3D Program (3D Studio Max, Carrera, Infiniti-D etc.)

If you have ever downloaded any wallpapers in this style, and admire these types of images, as well as like futuristic ideas, you will treasure this book!