Customer Reviews

Maya Character Modeling and Animation (Charles River Media Graphics)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

Thi book, is really good for all,

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

This is a very good book! I really like it. I am still reading and find it very helpful.

Both beginners and intermediate designers and 3D artists who want to learn the basics of character modeling and animation with Maya will relish the blend of step-by-step instruction, an accompanying cd-rom filled with chapter-oriented details and backup movies and presentations, and an attention to clear explanations of the animation process from start to finish. Screen shots and step-by-step examples on building a character model make MAYA CHARACTER MODELING & ANIMATION a top pick, especially for college-level art and computer libraries strong in Maya references.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch