Learning Maya 7: The Special Effects Handbook [Paperback]

Alias Learning Tools (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1897177011 | ISBN-13: 978-1897177013 | Edition: 1

This spectacular full-color guide takes a brand-new approach to Maya special effects. Brought to you by Alias, creators of Maya, you'll find:

• A new approach to teaching rendering and dynamics using characters and effects from the Oscar-winning short film The ChubbChubbs.
• Coverage of the whole range of special effects topics, including lighting, camera rigging, effects, particles, and rigid bodies.
• Your able to compare effects you create with effects found in the final film.
• A DVD with instructor-led tutorials (Quicktime videos) as well as scene files, artist interviews, and Maya Personal Learning Edition.

Order your copy of this indispensible handbook today!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This spectacular full-color guide takes a brand-new approach to Maya special effects, using characters and effects from the Oscar-winning short film The ChubbChubbs to teach rendering and dynamics

• Covers the whole range of special effects topics, including lighting, camera rigging, effects, particles, and rigid bodies
• Allows animators to compare effects they create with the effects found in the final film
• Packed with great content from Alias, creators of Maya
• The DVD includes instructor-led tutorials on Quicktime video as well as scene files, artist interviews, and Maya Personal Learning Edition

About the Author

Alias (Toronto) is the company that produces Maya software and other applications for the entertainment and high-end design industries. Alias's Learning Tools division publishes its own books and DVDs. Alias's recognizable industry customers include CNN, Disney, Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Pixar, Sega, GM, Honda, and more.  

The company was founded in 1995 when Alias Research (founded 1983) and Wavefront Technologies (founded 1984) merged under SGI. In July 2003, the company changed its name to Alias.

Product Details

• Paperback: 687 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 1 edition (October 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897177011
• ISBN-13: 978-1897177013
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,125,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best it gets!, October 29, 2005

By 

J. S. Monkey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning Maya 7: The Special Effects Handbook (Paperback)

These books are a spectacular edition. Alias has been good about teaching in their books, but these books actually have FUN projects! I have enough books that will tell me how to do something (and these are VERY easy to understand) but the only ones that I can actually have fun working with are the ones contained in this new series. Not for the advanced user though. If you want advanced, go for the Maya Tecniques series, not the Learning Maya series. Great books!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great rendering and dynamics for maya7, November 14, 2005

By 

doodler - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning Maya 7: The Special Effects Handbook (Paperback)

A great book for beginners of maya7. It is basicaly the "Rendering" and "Dynamics" books of the Learning Maya6 Book Series all in one. There are over 600 pgs of color diagrams and simple text discriptions. It is very clear and covers many very important aspects of image quality. Unfortunately for me, I already have the Learning Maya6 Book series so there is a lot of redundant information. Though there is enough new info to keep me happy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference, January 3, 2007

By 

R. Masand "blue bicycle" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learning Maya 7: The Special Effects Handbook (Paperback)

Good reference if you know enough about Maya to spot the discrepancies. Some of the tutorials are also buggy in Maya 8.