Principles of Three-Dimensional Computer Animation: Modeling, Rendering, and Animating With 3d Computer Graphics (Norton Books for Architects & Designers) [Hardcover]

Michael O'Rourke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998 | ISBN-10: 0393730247 | ISBN-13: 978-0393730241 | Edition: Revised

Integrated into this text are techniques that, since it was first published have become an accepted part of computer animation technology. New sections cover advanced modelling, rendering and animating techniques, including blended surfaces, environment rendering, animation constraints, volumetric lights and an expanded description of particle systems. A chapter on animation production has been added.

Editorial Reviews

Review

At last! A book that I can wholeheartedly recommend to my students. . . . A key text in my classes. -- Michael Scroggins, director, Computer Animation Labs, California Institute of the Arts

About the Author

Michael O'Rourke, associate professor in the computer graphics department at Pratt Institute, lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 285 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; Revised edition (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393730247
• ISBN-13: 978-0393730241
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,387,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Computers & Technology > Graphic Design > Rendering & Ray Tracing

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 3D Newbie Likes It, February 8, 2000

By 

Roger Kirchner (Sonoma County, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Principles of Three-Dimensional Computer Animation: Modeling, Rendering, and Animating With 3d Computer Graphics (Norton Books for Architects & Designers) (Hardcover)

I'm entirely new to 3D modeling and animation. I found this book to be exceptionally well written. The author provides a clear and concise explanation of the principles of 3D computer graphics, with easy-to-understand examples throughout. As stated in other reviews, it is not software specific. If you are looking for an introductory but thorough 3D primer, I recommend this book without reservation. It should provide a solid foundation for those who have little or no prior computer graphics experience.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview, But Go Elsewhere For Details, November 21, 1999

By 

J. Fogarty (Saint Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Principles of Three-Dimensional Computer Animation: Modeling, Rendering, and Animating With 3d Computer Graphics (Norton Books for Architects & Designers) (Hardcover)

I agree with prior reviews that this book is well written and provides an excellent introduction to 3D computer graphics. If you're new to the field and want to learn about the general terminology and techniques of 3D computer graphics then this would be a top choice. Just don't expect, however, that after finishing you'll be ready to plunge into creating your own rendering engine or even be up to speed on using an existing engine. If you're looking for technical detail, then you'll have to look elsewhere.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly, accurately covered concepts--without jargon, July 29, 1998

By 

Anne Morgan Spalter (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Principles of Three-Dimensional Computer Animation: Modeling, Rendering, and Animating With 3d Computer Graphics (Norton Books for Architects & Designers) (Hardcover)

I found "Three-Dimensional Computer Animation" to be a particularly clearly written and clearly illustrated book, especially given the complexity of this field. The book covers the chief concepts in 3D modeling, rendering and animation and provides detailed technical explanations rare in books for artists and designers. Amazingly, O'Rourke does this without relying on jargon or assuming a scientific or mathematical background (or writing an inconveniently long book). Artists and designers working in 3D will find this a valuable resource as they seek to better understand the potential of 3D graphics and to master this new and often demanding medium. "Three-Dimensional Computer Animation" is appropriate for classroom use and also as a guide and reference for working artists, designers, and animators.