Getting Started with 3D: A Designer's Guide to 3D & Illustration (Paperback)

~ (Author), John Odam (Author), Victor Gavenda (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A full-color, well-organized guide, Getting Started with 3D gives the reader an artistic and technical overview of 3-D graphics, explaining both drawing concepts such as perspective and foreshortening, and technical concepts such as extrusion, lathing, and Boolean operators. This book targets graphic designers and illustrators--both beginners and experts--who are looking for an introduction to 3-D computer graphics.

The authors don't reference any specific 3-D programs; instead, they emphasize universal modeling techniques. They provide advice on creating simple 3-D objects; transforming, aligning, and grouping objects; and creating figures and landscapes. Next, you learn about color and texture, lights and cameras, and rendering. The final chapter, "Using 3D in Design," shows how to work with 3-D type and use 3-D images in digital illustrations and photos. Throughout the book, there are lots of illustrations of models and scenes, which continually illuminate the authors' advice and provide ideas for creating your own images. --Kathleen Caster

From Library Journal

This book is not about using a particular 3D program like LightWave or SoftImage or Ray Dream but about the things that can be done with 3D modeling programs such as extruding, lathing, lighting, texturing, and rendering. These are the sorts of techniques that users often gloss over in the rush to use the tool and create the first sphere. A perfect introduction to 3D modeling in theory and practice, this would work as well for youngsters as it will for college students. Highly recommended.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Longman; 1st edition (July 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201696762
• ISBN-13: 978-0201696769
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,104,550 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Ashford Book is a Joy Forever, January 10, 2000

By	Alijazz - See all my reviews

Whoever you are, whatever you know, you'll always discover something new and often extraordinary in an Ashford/Odam book. I first became a fan when I bought their "Start With A Scan" (best value of any book I ever purchased - yes, ever). Here, our talented and skilled authors have done it again. Marvel as they demystify the somewhat daunting 3-dimensional world. Learn about light, study shadow, let bevels bemuse. Often complex information is presented simply and beautifully. Something I enjoyed hugely about this book is the very clever and appropriate choice of illustration. If, like me, you thought 3d was the domain of adolescents and fantasists you'll be delighted. These are the graphics of the working digital artist - graphics that you and I can learn to create, graphics that delight the eye, that enthrall and attract the shopper. And we all know what happy shoppers make - yes, happy clients! If you want a comprehensive guide to everything 3d, without finding you're tied to using a specific program, this is the book you need. Elegant, informative - perfect.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Panoramic In-depth Education In 3D Design Concepts!, November 20, 1998

By A Customer

     Janet Ashford and John Odam have teamed up to produce Getting Started With 3D to offer aspiring and seasoned graphic designers alike with the perspective they need to create outstanding 3D graphic images that can be used for a variety of uses, including Website designing. With the heavy emphasis that is placed on Web graphics today, serious web developers cannot afford to ignore the visual impact that good 3D graphics can have!      Creative graphic design plays an integral role in the development and success of any Website. The quality and thoughtful manner in which graphic images are created and put to use will say a lot about the companies, organizations, products, services, and other information represented on the Internet.      There are a number of programs available today that can produce impressive 3D graphics images. Many of them are highly recommended. Samples of their work are provided and their general features are covered in this book. However, to fully appreciate and understand what is involved in creating 3D graphics one needs to develop an artist's eye for creative design. The authors provide a panoramic, in-depth education in 3D design concepts to aid in the design process. The use of shadowing, alignment, and textures are dramatically brought to light. The use of outstanding 3D illustrations, explanatory text, tips, and sidebar comments provided throughout the book contribute to a very fine educational experience!      The large 8 1/2" by 11" format of this book makes for easy reading and viewing. Readers will be inspired to become more creative graphic design artists by what they see and read in this book! They will have no trouble at all achieving favorable results. Highly recommended for every Web graphic image designer!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best, January 14, 2001

By	L. R. Ronnow (Riverside County, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are interested in computer graphics, this is one fine book. The kind you devour by a crackling fire, or take glimpses of before you turn out the lights to have sweet dreams. The kind you take your time to savor. In short, a beautiful book!