An Essential Introduction to Maya Character Rigging with DVD [Paperback]

Cheryl Cabrera (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240520823 | ISBN-13: 978-0240520827 | Publication Date: January 28, 2008 | Edition: 1

Discover the concepts and techniques required to rig engaging CG character models with Maya in this unique book and DVD package. The stunning color images show just what you can achieve, and the detailed step-by-step tutorials show exactly how to achieve them.

Every technique and tip is backed up with practical tutorials, using the models, student work and tutorial assets on the companion DVD to offer a crash course in this vital skill. With Cheryl Cabrera you'll learn about:

Designing your first Biped Character; Creating your first Biped Character - Modeling Basics, Biped Character Facial Expressions, Texturing Basics; Skeleton setup for a Biped Character Joint Placement; Control Rig setup for a Biped Character - IK and FK; Wrapping up the setup; Skinning your Character

* Use simple NURBS and polygon modeling in Maya for greater flexibility in your workflow
* Create control rig setups for a biped character - both IK and FK
* Put your new skills to work with the models and tutorial assets on the free DVD!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A recommended resource for newcomes to character and rigging workflow. 8/10" ... 3D World

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (January 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240520823
• ISBN-13: 978-0240520827
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #507,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent rigging foundation book., July 17, 2008

By 

Jujubaba (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Essential Introduction to Maya Character Rigging with DVD (Paperback)

This is a great book. I've been rigging for 10+ years and have read almost every rigging book out there (including Body Language, (just ok)). This is the best book I've read for rigging beginners. I am reviewing the rigging section specifically. The way this book differs from all the rest is that it's structured like a class which is incredibly valuable. Key concepts are introduced clearly and concisely at first and then we proceed to a step by step tutorial applying the concepts to a character you are rigging throughout the book. Foundation level rigging know-how is introduced in a very clear and methodical fashion. Basic rigging concepts that beginners need but most lack. The book has excellent and clear screenshots, superior printing quality, flowcharts, illustrations, it's well written and has color coded pages. It would function well as an instructor guide as well as a self contained course. The student work and anecdotes are a great touch. I'm sorry but based on this book I think Cheryl (I don't know her) knows what she is doing as both as an educator and as a rigger. Good attention to detail and a patient easygoing style of writing. I felt compelled to write this after reading the "riddled with flaws" review which is inaccurate and seems to carry a hint of personal animosity. This is a great book and I've finally been able to recommend a book about learning to rig to my coworkers and friends who always ask. This one. Encore!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Riddled with Flaws., May 4, 2008

By 

Kyle Stephens (Savannah, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Essential Introduction to Maya Character Rigging with DVD (Paperback)

The only good thing about this book is that it goes over every little detail on what to do with rigging. It's basically a very descriptive walkthrough. You don't even have to understand what you're doing. That of course is also one of the bigger flaws of the book, but the biggest one is that it's obvious from the start that this book was not edited by anyone, at least anyone who knew what they were doing. I go to SCAD and am taking the rigging class with another professor who has to use this book, and he spends the whole class revising what she said and having to re-explain it to us. Pictures are out of place, object names are suddenly changed back and forth, and she'll even refer to the wrong object, like the shoulder joint instead of the forearm joint. It's as if she worked from two different projects and copied and pasted the scenes and documentation where she thought necessary. She should have at least spent an extra quarter testing the book out on the students, and having them circle all the errors. Instead, it's now the first book you see when you type "maya rigging". This is apparently the only maya 2008 rigging book so far, but the only difference I've seen in 2008 is the IK/FK blend switch. My recommendation: get a maya 8.5 rigging book and search online for tutorials on the new rigging features in 2008. I doubt the second edition will be coming out any time soon.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Light rigging book for beginners., June 21, 2008

By 

Rodney A. Brett (Emeryville, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Essential Introduction to Maya Character Rigging with DVD (Paperback)

I don't feel like the title is misleading like a previous reviewer. The book is INTRODUCTION to Maya rigging and it does just that. It's a light read and the concepts are perfect for beginners. I do agree that a little too much of the book is spent on modeling. Perhaps a better title would have been "Introduction to Complete Character Creation". You might not get much out of it if you are already proficient with common Maya Character Setup methods. I always recommend this book to animators that don't have much interest in rigging nor do they care about the actual explanations of concepts but want to rig their own creations for the purpose of animating them.

If you are looking for deeper content like creating "stretchy" limbs, Maya Muscle, and setting up multiple character pipeline workflow tips, pickup BODY LANGUAGE: ADVANCED CHARACTER RIGGING.