Maya Character Modeling and Animation (Charles River Media Graphics) [Paperback]

Tereza Flaxman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2006 | ISBN-10: 1584504404 | ISBN-13: 978-1584504405 | Edition: 1

Maya Character Modeling and Animation: Principles and Practice is for beginning- to intermediate-level designers and 3D artists who want to learn 3D character modeling and animation using Maya® 8. The book covers the theory and practice of modeling and animation from pre-production to final body and facial animation. It explains why things are done and not just which buttons to push. The text uses a series of projects to teach you how to model, rig, and animate your own characters. The focus is on how to create professional-quality, compelling animations. The companion CD-ROM contains all the files supporting the exercises in the book, including complete Maya projects, rendered QuickTime movies to illustrate concepts, and fully rigged NURBS and polygon character models. If you are ready to take on the challenge of animation, this is the book for you. You will find all the insights and techniques you need to start animating your own characters!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tereza Flaxman teaches 3D modeling and animation at the Harvard Extension School and Northeastern University. She has been teaching animation for the past seven years at both undergraduate and graduate levels and is a Certified Alias Maya Instructor. Additionally, she has taught at both the School of Film and Animation at the Rochester Institute of Technology - RIT and at the State University of New York (SUNY). She also works as a freelance animator. She has more than fifteen years of experience with high-end 3D animation software, and has used Maya since version 1.0. Her work has been published in several books and magazines and exhibited in shows throughout the U.S. She has a MFA in Animation from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and a BFA from the University of Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 1 edition (October 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584504404
• ISBN-13: 978-1584504405
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,165,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born and grew up in Sao Paulo Brazil, but I have been living in US for the past 20 years.

I am an Assistant Professor at the Film and Animation School of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). I have been teaching animation for the past seven years at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and am a Certified Alias Maya Instructor.

I have more than fifteen years of experience with high-end 3D animation software, and has used Maya since version 1.0.

I am an active member of the SIGGRAPH Education Committee.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the Beginning to Intermediate User, November 15, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maya Character Modeling and Animation (Charles River Media Graphics) (Paperback)

Designed for the beginning to intermediate user, this book is aimed at the artist who want to learn 3D character modeling and animation using Maya. It is suitable for either classroom or individual use.

This book has an interesting combination between a theoretical/reference book and a tutorial book. Each chapter starts with a theory or reference section that gives the basic concepts for that chapter. This is followed by a detailed tutorial or two. For instance Chapter 2 is entitled 'Fundamentals of Computer Animation.' The theory section goes into the physics of how things move. This is important because people have an instinctive understanding of movement. The first tutorial then is on making a light and then a heavy ball bounce on the screen. Then the second tutorial makes the ball squash as it hits and then stretch as it bounces back into shape.

At the end of the book you won't be quite up to Pixar standards, but you'll be well on your way.

The CD-ROM supplied with the book contain project files including all of the figures from the book, organized into folders by chapter, all of the movies, organized by chapter and contained in folders called movies, and all of the Maya working files.

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Frustrating, August 4, 2009

By 

Love to Read (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maya Character Modeling and Animation (Charles River Media Graphics) (Paperback)

While reading this book I was very excited because it made a lot of sense until I got to the actual practical application of what to do. I am a complete novice at Maya and this book was so frustrating. It would say click on "X" but it didn't say where "X'" was or even where to look for it! I spent lots of time searching around the interface in vain and then resorting to looking directions up on the internet instead. I found that "Learning Autodesk Maya 2008" was a much better fit for me as a complete beginner. (that one gives more direction, but does leave you to figure out a few things on your own which I really liked)

It may get better after the first chapter or so, but I didn't make it that far. I found my time better spent with the other book.

4.0 out of 5 stars good for all, March 11, 2008

By 

N. P. "maya pro" (italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maya Character Modeling and Animation (Charles River Media Graphics) (Paperback)

Thi book, is really good for all,

with simple exercises it teach about a character, from modeling to animation.