Here is both a general guide for understanding 3-D computer graphics as well as a specific guide for learning the fundamentals of Maya: workspace, modeling, animation, shading, lighting, and rendering. Each chapter first presents an initial concept, which details a proven method, before providing hands-on tutorials and projects. This approach details how and why animation techniques work and explains how to use Maya for creating sophisticated, state-of-the-art animations. The author distills real-world experience into helpful hints and step-by-step guides for common tasks.
I work at Walt Disney Feature Animation as a character TD on the film American Dog. I just finished production on Meet the Robinsons, which comes out next December. I consider myself lucky because:
a) Disney is a great place to work, and
b) I've traded in my hour commute for a ten-minute bike ride.
I taught Maya and other in-house software at Sony Pictures Imageworks while we were working on Spiderman 2, The Polar Express, Matrix 2&3 and other shows.
Before Imageworks I taught Maya to many traditional animators for The Animation Guild Local 839 and Friedman 3D. I still teach courses at Studio Arts, including Intro to Maya, Character Rigging and Lighting in mental ray. I have also worked as a 3D artist for video game developer Novalogic, IBM and White Wolf Game Studio.
