Poser 4 Pro Pack f/x & Design [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Richard Schrand (Author) "This chapter gives a quick overview of what's new in the Poser Pro Pack; it also acts as an introduction to Poser if you are..." (more)
Key Phrases: poser file, ball prop, parameter dials, Poser Pro Pack, Setup Room, Studio Max (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Poser® 4 Pro Pack f/x and Design takes you deep inside one of the hottest programs for humanoid figure animation. The insider tips and tricks are revealed! This book shows you how to use the cutting-edge features of this program such as writing Python Scripts, realistic positioning of body elements, creating realistic lighting and shadows, and much more. You will learn how to put your models to work by importing them into popular 3D programs such as 3D Studio Max®, LightWave™ [6], and the Shockwave Web format. CD-ROM is also included containing original models, animation files, special Python Scripts, and trial versions of Poser and other programs which work in conjunction with this must have character animation program.

About the Author
Richard Schrand. has written numerous books including Canoma(R) Visual Insight, GoLive(R) 5 f/x and Design, Photoshop(R) 6 Visual Jumpstart, LiveMotio(R) n Visual Jumpstart, 3D Creature Workshop-2nd Edition, and The Macromedia(R) Web Design Handbook. Richard spent 28 years in the broadcast industry as Writer, Producer, Reporter, New Anchor, News Director, General Manager and Publicist receiving three Emmy awards, and numerous BPME (Broadcast Promotion & Marketing Executives) awards for writing and producing. Recently, he has created GRFX byDesign, a company specializing in 3D design and animation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Coriolis Group Books (May 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588800997
• ISBN-13: 978-1588800992
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,870,142 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must For All Poser Users, June 9, 2001

By	Syyd "Syyd_Raven" (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Richard Shrand's book is a must have for any Poser Pro Pack user. It is written in a style that conveys the author's knowledge without condescending to the reader, and is not so technical that a reader will turn away in utter confusion and helplessness after the third page ....

I spent the last week reading the book every night. As an intermediate to advanced Poser user there are tips and tricks and explanations in that book, enriching my knowledge of Poser immensely so that my pursuits as a texture map maker and 3d digital artist, who's main tool in the creative process is using all things Poser, becomes much simpler and more easily understood. For new users, this book will put several easily grasped concepts at your fingertips.

There are two informative and revealing Forewards by both CuriousLabs, makers of the Poser and Poser Pro Pack Software, and DAZ3D Productions, the creators of the finest models available for Poser today. It displays fine examples of work from some of the best artists and technicians in the 3d world today.

Richard covers with great ease and understanding the brilliance of Poser Pro Pack's features including Setup Room, one of the software's hottest features, where bones are added to make a model fully posable and ready to be animated within Pro Pack itself, or by importing it into 3d Studio Max and Lightwave for rendering, seamless integration between Poser Pro Pack and 3D Studio Max and Lightwave, and its web capabilities in such applications as Flash and Viewpoint, and, in conjunction with John Brugioni, the abilities of Python scripting, a way, as Richard so aptly describes "to go under the hood of Poser Pro Pack and create all new features and effects".

In addition there are two appendices, one that puts the reader in touch with how to use the web to find anything poser offered, and one with special effects like radiosity and lens flare.

This book is then capped off with a CD Rom that is packed to the brim with demo softwares, models, textures, and demonstrations and tutorials.

It is a Poser Pro Pack bible for users worldwide interested in learning the ins and outs of Poser Pro Pack, from the beginning to advanced level, written in a clear and understandable style, with a certain off-hand humor that creates an open channel in the relationship between reader and author.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Compromise, July 7, 2002

By	Mick McAllister - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the only worthwhile book available at this writing...for anyone looking for some help with Poser 4.0. Admittedly (as the title states), Schrand focuses much of the book on the Poser Pro Pack, an expensive but very useful add-on to the base product. But he devotes half the book to explaining and demonstrating basic and intermediate tasks, and his examples are clear and easy to follow. The CD is chock full of useful gadgets and gimcracks.

I didn't read it as a beginner, but I'm familiar with a lot of beginner's books, and I think this one will get you started in Poser and keep enhancing your knowledge and growth as you master the software.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars could be better, September 25, 2001

By A Customer

I think this book is worth having for the price. It does have some tutorials and offers insight to the mediocre Poser user. I learned a few things but it is not the vast tome of understanding I had expected. Still, if you are grappling with some of the more advanced concepts of Poser pro pack, I'd say you probably should get this book. It may shed some light on a few things for you. Don't expect to be Phil C after reading this one though. ;>
Hydra