Customer Reviews

Mastering Maya 2009

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been vigorously studying Motion Graphics related topics for the past few years, and have read literally hundreds of books and taken thousands of hours of online training via Lynda.com. I've managed to get my Adobe certifications in: Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator & Premiere/Encore and currently working on getting certified in After Effects. I am also the author of the Flash exam for examaids. I have been trying to study Maya for the past couple of years and have been extremely frustrated with the level of training anywhere. The best I had found was actually in the help sections of Maya. I realized how complex Maya was, but I was starting to get the feeling no one either could explain it, or understood the depths of it to pass the knowledge on. I found myself unable to get through the "beginners books". That is until I found the "Mastering Maya 2009" book! Finally, someone who understands the product who can share in-depth without skipping steps in the process. I'm so impressed with it, that I'm rating it already as one of the 4 best graphics books of all-time. The other 3 would be the Ben Willmore's Photoshop Studio Techniques, Chris & Trish Meyer's Motion Graphics with After Effects, and Mordy Golding's Real World Illustrator book. Fantastic book! I give it my highest rating and total endorsement!

Jackson Hunt
VP of Marketing
Ser Technology

Unlike most software books this one actually refers to situations that actually happen. Furthermore it gives you solutions to them. The mel chapter is especially informative. Not bogging you down in commands you may or may not use it shows you how to effectively extract them from the UI and points out the syntactical differences between what is echoed and correct usage in a script. The same level of utility is present throughout the book. Don't go into a production setting without it.

I have worked in CGI production for just about fifteen years. I started using Maya when it was in beta while working at RGA in NYC. I had been using the Alias for four years prior so I can claim some familiarity with the app. There is so much to Maya, it encompasses multiple career paths, to master it completely is an incredible task. Eric Keller, who I have worked with on a half dozen productions around LA, has taken it upon himself to master the program and to share his wealth of knowledge with the rest of us. There are so many valuable tidbits in the book. All areas are covered in professional detail. I highly recommend this book for the beginner and the expert alike as an immersion or refresher. It is an invaluable tool and a lifeline for a very sophisticated and mature application that just keeps evolving and adding functionality.

Dense is this first thing that comes to mind when I think about this book. There are several maya books out there about the same size as this one but they have thick pages so even though they are big they are not as heavy. THIS THING IS DENSE! the pages are thin and all of this is a good thing because these pages are filled with so much information on using maya that it can make a professional sit down and cry its so good! If your beginning to use maya and you want a solid book to sit you down and tell you how its done this is YOUR book! If you think you know maya and are curious to know, this HEAVY book will knock some sense into you and fill the gaps of maya knowledge that you may have.....did I mention I like this book?

Simple concise instructions and walkthrough, not for total beginners
maya is massive so take baby steps or it will blow your head off
once you've done that get this book. Also amazon offer a rapid and helpful response.

I will keep this review simple, i'm just going to list the things I like.
1. Easy to find what you're looking for, chapters are broken down into thoughtful sections and are step-by step. the companion DVD is very easy to navigate and all files are great reference, especially for me when i was dealing with creating fur. The Sub-surface scattering section helped me make some really great Rabbit fur withour the headache of using Maya Fur.
2. usually after a section there are general tips, that type of thing is gimmicky in my opinion, not in this books case! Pay attention to them they sometimes are valuable.
3. i am a student and have been working with maya for a little over a year, (dropped fine art for media art) and i have to say maya is a BEAST! it is so capable and addicting, i think i am an addict because i cant walk down a street without finding a triangle where a quad should be. or i'll shave one side of my face and expect symmetry to do the other half. or look at my girlfriend and think of misss_fast_skin shading networks. back to the book: mr.keller touches on everything, he even has screen shots of the settings he used and many examples. i have learned so much in just a few days of reading and following along with his tuts, i felt compelled to write a review and help sell this 1000pg book. Very extensive, but direct, no word doesnt belong, the read is very enjoyable and not boring whatsoever.

even though the first time i ordered this book it got lost via USPS, had to wait an extra week and contact service reps, finally i got it after paying a little extra for UPS.this book did not let me down, it was worth every penny and delivery hassle. DONT LET AMAZON SEND STUFF USPS. USPS=sucks. in my experience anyways.

The tittle itself is very objective and he really won't let you down.
Initially my main interest in this book was the Effects section. It was excellent to initiate me, providing me with the knowledge that I needed to understand how particles, fluids, fur, cloth and so on, work. Very precise and objective in the in-depth thoughts and ideas it transmits. It doesn't transform you in a master but will put you in the right track to became one.
What truly impressed me was the volume of data it contains, so dense, so many information. This is definitely a book to have always near you, when you need a hand in any parameter that you don't feel comfortable, whatever is your doubt, he will answer it .
Unfortunately the pictures are in black & white but it doesn't really matter because you have always the DVD to check them out.
I'm not an expert, perhaps a middle rank user of Maya and I'm specializing myself in Maya Fluids, but this book as far as I can say it will help you overcome a lot of difficulties that you will find when working with the diverse areas that Maya as to offer.
Thanks a lot Eric for your commitment in improving the level of information/teaching in Maya.
Cheers

Not only does the author update the experienced maya artist with the new aspects of maya 2009, Eric Keller shares an invaluable amount of information that is a direct result of spending years in the industry. This book lends itself perfectly to anyone that is looking to become a proficient generalist. The examples are basic enough for the average user to follow, yet they provide a solid groundwork for far more complex and versatile situations. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to take advantage of all the new aspects of maya 2009, as well as any 3d artist that is looking to be inspired by new workflows and techniques.

I've been reading through different parts of this Book and I just finished the chapter on nParticles. I've been looking for a good book explaining nParticles for a while. This is the type of book you want at your side, while working on a Maya project. Normally, when I would get stuck I would end up spending hours searching google for answers, but this book will answer just about anything you want to know. Just turn to the right chapter, and it will walk you through every detail of a process. I use Maya professionally and I know this will continue to come in very handy for me.

I have MANY Maya books but this one is by far the best and is pretty much all you need. The CD is also really helpful. I love you Eric Keller.