Introducing Maya 2008 (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: paint effects, global illumination, ambient occlusion, Attribute Editor, Graph Editor, Maya Software (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The new edition of this perennial bestseller is the ideal initiation to 3D and Maya. Starting with the basics, it builds from the ground up, combining straightforward text with practical examples that make it fun and easy to learn Maya's core tools while introducing the latest Maya 2008 features. Follow clear-cut, step-by-step lessons while you learn by doing using a wealth of hands-on files provided on the CD. You'll also find compelling examples in the full-color insert.

From the Back Cover

Enter A New Dimension With Maya 2008

The Academy Award–winning Maya 3D animation and effects software is the top choice for film and video artists, game developers, and 3D design professionals. Learn to build, render, and animate your own digital models and scenes, and begin to develop professional-level Maya skills with Introducing Maya 2008.

This new edition of a perennial bestseller is the ideal initiation to 3D and Maya. Starting with the basics, it builds from the ground up, combining straightforward text with practical examples that make it fun and easy to learn Maya's core tools while introducing the latest Maya 2008 features. Follow clear-cut, step-by-step lessons while you learn by doing using a wealth of hands-on files provided on the CD. You'll also find compelling examples in the full-color insert to inspire you.

The enclosed CD features images, movies, and scene files that let you view material from the book. The support files will enable you to complete all of the tutorials. The CD also includes Maya Personal Learning Edition software.

• Learn to navigate the Maya 2008 interface

• Experiment with modeling by creating a hand, a rocket, and a locomotive

• Explore the basics of NURBS, polygons, and subdivision surfaces

• Discover the nuances of shading and texturing

• Rig a locomotive model for automated animation

• Create more natural lighting with mental ray® Final Gather and Global Illumination

• Use Maya's Render Layers and an Ambient Occlusion pass for greater reality

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Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Sybex (December 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047018356X
• ISBN-13: 978-0470183564
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #339,776 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book., July 7, 2008

By	Somewhereinla (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

I have been doing visual fx for a living for 15 years and have read quite a few books over the years... This is definitely one of the better one I have used. If you have little or no experience with Maya and need to learn the basics, this is an excellent book. The tutorials are fun and very well explained. A great beginners' book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much reading at the beginning, fun as reward, April 20, 2008

By	David Koster - See all my reviews

This book just ROCKS! written in a telling style, with a bit of humor and generally easy to follow. I am happy that Dariush Derakshani explaines why he uses certain settings on functions, and what the results are if you don't do it that way.

only but a few small errors now and than, but nothing more than a wrong option button mentioned or so wich had more books about 3D programs I own so that is not realy a minus.

The first two chapter are nothing more but general information(naturally), wich may be boring and of point to some people, but thereafter the fun starts with especially chapter four in wich you will make a complicateted object of wich you can be proud of when you are finished.In that chapter also, you can find out that there is more than one manner to accomplish something. One time I could not find a function Dariush explained, and ended up using a differend approach, with the same result:P.

I am not yet finished with the book but sofar, I love it... I can see my understanding of 3D and Skills growing everyday.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introducing Maya 2008, March 16, 2008

By	Joe Johnson - See all my reviews

Great info in this book from Mr. Derakhshani. Very up to date using autodesk's most recent Maya 2008 and info on lots of shortcuts to make things less overwhelming. Mr. Derakhshani has written many books on 3d and it shows from his ability to make quite a complex program so easy to grasp.

Joe