The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, 3rd Edition [Paperback]

Isaac Kerlow (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471430366 | ISBN-13: 978-0471430360 | Publication Date: August 12, 2003 | Edition: 3rd Revised

An insightful, up-to-date look at creating in the digital environment
In a practical, easy-to-understand format, The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects covers every aspect of creating and outputting fully rendered three-dimensional computer still images or animations, including visual effects for live action. Along with helpful insights into the newest techniques available in the latest software programs and hardware, this new edition provides solid conceptual and critical basics through a combination of technical explanations and creative techniques. Creative vision can be brought to life on the screen through an easy-to-understand, step-by-step approach supported by full-color sample work by such leading companies as Pixar Animation Studios, Square, DreamWorks SKG, Fox, Disney, and many independent artists and studios.
Isaac Victor Kerlow (Los Angeles, CA) is Director of Digital Production at the Walt Disney Company and a longtime active member of SIGGRAPH and the Visual Effects Society.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Oh man, is this book beautiful! (Gamasutra, 4/20/2004)

“…an excellent technical reference…” (M2 Best Books, May 2004)

"...will take you step-by-step through the process of creating your very own 3D animations, with illustrations from the leading animation houses..." (PC Home, Issue 139, 2003)

"...a must-read book if you’re interested in 3D..." (MacFormat, 30 Octobeer 2003)

“…truly gorgeous looking…detailed, professional and very, very colourful…” (Digital Creative Arts, November 2003)

“…well illustrated…layout is effective…order of topics logical and intuitive…” TechBook Report, November 2003)

"…offers step-by-step guidelines to the entire process of creating a fully rendered 3D computer animation or still image." (Digital Arts, October 2007)

From the Back Cover

The most inspiring, creative, and technical reference for computer animation and visual effects production

This new edition of The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects offers clear, step-by-step guidelines to the entire process of creating a fully rendered 3D computer animation or still image. With up-to-date coverage of the latest computer animation techniques and technology, this versatile guide provides insightful information for creating animations on film and video, computer and platform games, and visual effects for live action–from modeling and rendering to animation and compositing.

Designed to work with any computer platform, this Third Edition cuts through technical jargon and presents numerous, easy-to-understand instructive diagrams. Full-color examples are presented–including visual effects and animated feature movies, TV shows, and computer games–by such leading companies as DreamWorks, Electronic Arts, FOX, Midway Games, Pixar Animation Studios, Sony, Square, and many independent artists and studios.

This fully revised edition features new material on the latest visual effects techniques, a new interpretation of the traditional twelve principles of animation, multiple production pipelines, plus information on subdivision surfaces, image-based rendering, motion capture, and other current techniques.

Whether you are a student, an independent artist or creator, or a production company team member, The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects, Third Edition has countless expert tips for you on how to improve the artistic and technical level of your 3D computer animation.

• Non-platform specific
• Over 500 full-color images
• The newest computer animation techniques, including 2D/3D integration, non-photorealistic rendering, model rigging, and real-time polygonal models
• Expanded timeline and production pipelines
• Practical, step-by-step approach
• Up-to-date guide to Internet resources

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3rd Revised edition (August 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471430366
• ISBN-13: 978-0471430360
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Isaac Kerlow is creator that pioneered the use of visual digital technology.

Isaac started his career as an artist in New York City, and freelanced as animator and designer for the early videogame industry. In the late 1990s he was in charge of the art production group at Disney Interactive, and later led the integration of digital technology throughout the art production pipeline at The Walt Disney Company.

Isaac is the author of several books, including the successful "The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects," now in its 4th edition and translated to Mandarin, Russian, Japanese and Korean.

Isaac has been involved with education on-and-off, starting in the 1980s the first BFA/MFA Computer Animation program in the USA at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and in 2006 the first professional art/animation/film school in Singapore, at the Nanyang Technological University. Isaac is chairing the SIGGRAPH 2010 Computer Animation Festival/Electronic Theater.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excelent CG Bible., September 27, 2003

By 

"pepe_val" (CA - USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

I think that this book gives an excellent and in depth review of the CG Animation World. Yes, two chapters are about the history of CG: they will tell you where you come from and make you understand better where you are now.
I don't know who this hwilliamsx comes from, and what he is doing in VA, I'm an Animation Supervisor working at Imageworks for the past seven years and I am a Faculty Member at Calarts for three, my personal opinion is that this book is a must have.
Third Edition speak by itself. Good work Isaac.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a textbook, to be sure ..., June 26, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

This is an excellent book if you want a very thorough explanatory treatment of the subject of 3D computer graphics and animation ... very in-depth, very appropriate for use as a college textbook ... so that by the time you are finished with it (many months from now) you'll really understand how things "fit." Take your time and read slowly and carefully. The book's editorial design is conducive to that.

I find that "getting the big picture" in any technical subject is the most difficult task. Existing practitioners usually know it so well they can't explain it. This author can. As you can see on his bio (www.about3d.com), he's got the credits. I selected the book primarily for this purpose, and certainly got what I was expecting.

The book assembly style gets a little TEDIOUS with loads of BOLD-FACE type on many pages (every KEY PHRASE is BOLD, which kinda gets in the way) but that's an editorial quibble.

I hope that the next edition will include Ambient Occlusion, and also a greater mention of the existence of (free!) open-source products like Blender, (www.blender3d.org) which do implement even the advanced concepts discussed in the book and are quite readily available to the general public.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent CG Bible ..., September 27, 2003

By 

pepeval (CA - USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

I think that this book gives an excellent and in depth review of the CG Animation World. Yes, two chapters are about the history of CG: they will tell you where you come from and make you understand better where you are now.
I don't know who this hwilliamsx comes from, and what he is doing in VA, I'm an Animation Supervisor working at Imageworks for the past seven years and I am a Faculty Member at Calarts for three, my personal opinion is that this book is a must have.
Third Edition speak by itself. Good work Isaac.