The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, Third Edition (Paperback)

by Isaac Victor Kerlow (Author) "A SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND PROJECTS that contributed to the creative and technical development of three-dimensional computer animation and effects techniques is presented in this..." (more)
Key Phrases: flock animation, visual effects movies, computer animation project, Key Terms, Inc All, Oddworld Inhabitants (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...a must-read book if you're interested in 3D..." -- MacFormat, 30 Octobeer 2003

"Oh man, is this book beautiful! (Gamasutra, 4/20/2004)

“…an excellent technical reference…” (M2 Best Books, May 2004)

"...will take you step-by-step through the process of creating your very own 3D animations, with illustrations from the leading animation houses..." (PC Home, Issue 139, 2003)

"...a must-read book if you’re interested in 3D..." (MacFormat, 30 Octobeer 2003)

“…truly gorgeous looking…detailed, professional and very, very colourful…” (Digital Creative Arts, November 2003)

“…well illustrated…layout is effective…order of topics logical and intuitive…” TechBook Report, November 2003)

"…offers step-by-step guidelines to the entire process of creating a fully rendered 3D computer animation or still image." (Digital Arts, October 2007)

"Oh man, is this book beautiful! -- Gamasutra, 4/20/2004

"an excellent technical reference" -- M2 Best Books, May 2004

"truly gorgeous looking&detailed, professional and very, very colourful" -- Digital Creative Arts, November 2003

"well illustrated&layout is effective&order of topics logical and intuitive" -- TechBook Report, November 2003

Product Description
An insightful, up-to-date look at creating in the digital environment
In a practical, easy-to-understand format, The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects covers every aspect of creating and outputting fully rendered three-dimensional computer still images or animations, including visual effects for live action. Along with helpful insights into the newest techniques available in the latest software programs and hardware, this new edition provides solid conceptual and critical basics through a combination of technical explanations and creative techniques. Creative vision can be brought to life on the screen through an easy-to-understand, step-by-step approach supported by full-color sample work by such leading companies as Pixar Animation Studios, Square, DreamWorks SKG, Fox, Disney, and many independent artists and studios.
Isaac Victor Kerlow (Los Angeles, CA) is Director of Digital Production at the Walt Disney Company and a longtime active member of SIGGRAPH and the Visual Effects Society.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3 edition (August 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471430366
• ISBN-13: 978-0471430360
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #457,252 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a textbook, to be sure ..., June 26, 2004

By A Customer

This is an excellent book if you want a very thorough explanatory treatment of the subject of 3D computer graphics and animation ... very in-depth, very appropriate for use as a college textbook ... so that by the time you are finished with it (many months from now) you'll really understand how things "fit." Take your time and read slowly and carefully. The book's editorial design is conducive to that.

I find that "getting the big picture" in any technical subject is the most difficult task. Existing practitioners usually know it so well they can't explain it. This author can. As you can see on his bio (www.about3d.com), he's got the credits. I selected the book primarily for this purpose, and certainly got what I was expecting.

The book assembly style gets a little TEDIOUS with loads of BOLD-FACE type on many pages (every KEY PHRASE is BOLD, which kinda gets in the way) but that's an editorial quibble.

I hope that the next edition will include Ambient Occlusion, and also a greater mention of the existence of (free!) open-source products like Blender, (www.blender3d.org) which do implement even the advanced concepts discussed in the book and are quite readily available to the general public.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excelent CG Bible., September 27, 2003

By	"pepe_val" (CA - USA) - See all my reviews

I think that this book gives an excellent and in depth review of the CG Animation World. Yes, two chapters are about the history of CG: they will tell you where you come from and make you understand better where you are now.
I don't know who this hwilliamsx comes from, and what he is doing in VA, I'm an Animation Supervisor working at Imageworks for the past seven years and I am a Faculty Member at Calarts for three, my personal opinion is that this book is a must have.
Third Edition speak by itself. Good work Isaac.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent CG Bible ..., September 27, 2003

By	pepeval (CA - USA) - See all my reviews

I think that this book gives an excellent and in depth review of the CG Animation World. Yes, two chapters are about the history of CG: they will tell you where you come from and make you understand better where you are now.
I don't know who this hwilliamsx comes from, and what he is doing in VA, I'm an Animation Supervisor working at Imageworks for the past seven years and I am a Faculty Member at Calarts for three, my personal opinion is that this book is a must have.
Third Edition speak by itself. Good work Isaac.