Principles of Three-Dimensional Computer Animation: Modeling, Rendering, and Animating With 3d Computer Graphics (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Producing a 3D computer animation is a fascinating and exhilarating process..." (more)
Key Phrases: solid texture mapping, environmental reflection mapping, motion dynamics calculations, Bill Burg, Michael O'Rourke, United States (more...)

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 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Description

This illustrated handbook explains, in nontechnical terms, the basic concepts and techniques of three-dimensional computer animation. It is intended to be of interest to students of animation, traditional animators who need to update their skills, multimedia artists and designers, producers of animation for advertising and film, and industrial designers, engineers or architects who want to learn how to create simulated movement in space to improve the presentation and sale of their designs.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; 1st edition (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393702022
• ISBN-13: 978-0393702026
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,731,150 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Roger Kirchner "rog8208" (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.

12 of 13 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.