Maya® Secrets of the ProsTM


Book Description

Featuring completely original material from a new team of Maya know-it-alls, this second edition of an award-winning book is sure to inform and inspire even the most seasoned Maya user. In this distinctive Maya Press title, a cadre of professionals led by two acclaimed Maya pros, reveal the precious secrets they’ve learned using Maya on high-profile CG projects such as The Matrix, Shrek 2, and X-Men. In nine unique and compelling chapters, you’ll get detailed and sophisticated instruction on how to: Enhance fluidity and realism by generating complex motion with Maya Cloth Apply non-photorealistic rendering styles that mimic the look of comic books and impressionist paintings Emulate real-world camera motion, from dolly-and-pan movement to varying levels of camera shake Produce natural lighting effects using global illumination and image based lighting Ensure smooth and accurate transfer of character data from modeling to rigging to animation to lighting Control IK chains, deformers, and surfaces with Maya Hair's dynamic curves Use dynamics effectively to create flexible objects and add secondary effects to enhance your animation Use Maya’s built-in noise function to produce powerful effects similar to those used in “The Matrix” trilogy Create a human face from a conceptual sketch using subdivision surfaces




Maya Secrets of the Pros


Book Description

Featuring completely original material from a new team of Maya know-it-alls, this second edition of an award-winning book is sure to inform and inspire even the most seasoned Maya user. In this distinctive Maya Press title, a cadre of professionals led by two acclaimed Maya pros, reveal the precious secrets they’ve learned using Maya on high-profile CG projects such as The Matrix, Shrek 2, and X-Men. In nine unique and compelling chapters, you’ll get detailed and sophisticated instruction on how to: Enhance fluidity and realism by generating complex motion with Maya Cloth Apply non-photorealistic rendering styles that mimic the look of comic books and impressionist paintings Emulate real-world camera motion, from dolly-and-pan movement to varying levels of camera shake Produce natural lighting effects using global illumination and image based lighting Ensure smooth and accurate transfer of character data from modeling to rigging to animation to lighting Control IK chains, deformers, and surfaces with Maya Hair's dynamic curves Use dynamics effectively to create flexible objects and add secondary effects to enhance your animation Use Maya’s built-in noise function to produce powerful effects similar to those used in “The Matrix” trilogy Create a human face from a conceptual sketch using subdivision surfaces




Photoshop Secrets of the Pros


Book Description

"This has to be the most unusual book on Photoshop ever published. A very clever one, too, and a must-have for dedicated Shopoholics." —DingBat Magazine Photoshop Secrets of the Pros is not your typical Photoshop book, laboriously marching you through features, filters, and techniques. This book throws you right into the thick of things, dropping you ringside for a series of digital duels and artistic collaborations. In this groundbreaking guide top artists challenge each other in a series of Photoshop Tennis matches—and you get to peer over their shoulders. You'll watch them put Photoshop through its paces, creating incredible new work under grueling deadlines. You'll see which tools and techniques they use, and how and why they choose them when the clock is ticking and the world is watching. Open up this unique book and: Get caught up in the action: Watch 20 of the world's top digital artists, photographers, and web and print designers compete, mouse to mouse. Eavesdrop on the experts: Enter the artists' heads as they explain each decision they make. Find out how it's done in the real world: See 100 pieces of original art dissected, component by component and technique by technique. Discover pro secrets: Learn how Photoshop's basic tools are used to create fantastic effects in record time. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.




Mastering Maya 7


Book Description

Provides information on the Maya interface, covering such topics as modeling, texturing and rendering, and rigging and animation.




Action!


Book Description

In order to bring a character to life, it is beneficial for animators to have a solid understanding of acting principles, and this book examines the important skills behind the artistry of creating animated characters. With a particular emphasis on a character’s motions and movement, this unique resource covers the basic elements of acting for CG animation and then progresses to more advanced topics such as internal intent and motivation. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.




Maya 6 Killer Tips


Book Description

With more than 90 percent of film effects houses and half of the North American game studios using Maya in their projects, the pressure is on for 3D modelers to prove their Maya chops! It's not enough to just know how to use the program; you need to demonstrate that you can do so swiftly, efficiently, and with dazzling results! Here to ensure you do is a fun, full-colored guide that's been pared down to just the essentials: the hundreds of tips, shortcuts, and tricks the pros use every day to speed their Maya 6 workflows. Along with tips for customizing the Maya interface, polygonal modeling, rendering, and more, veteran author Eric Hanson also provides tons of insider techniques for working with Maya 6's newest features including tips for working with new tools like the Soft Modification Tool, Animation Retargeting, and High Quality Shading; advice for working with the new particle behavior features; cool new hotkeys; and insight into streamlining the texting process with Maya's new Photoshop integration, to name only a few. You'll quickly find that the techniques revealed here allow you to work faster, smarter, and more creatively!




Mastering Maya 8.5


Book Description

Take your Maya skills to new levels with the sophisticated coverage in this authoritative Autodesk Maya Press reference and tutorial. From key basics through advanced techniques, a team of Maya experts provides you with the very latest professional-level instruction on Maya Complete and Maya Unlimited through tutorials and hands-on practice. Whether a novice or an advanced user of Maya, you’ll find everything from key basics through advanced techniques. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.




Maya 5 Savvy


Book Description

Savvy—n. Practical know-how. Maya, the premier high-end 3D application, is so powerful that no one masters it without help. Maya 5 Savvy—a thorough update to Maya 4.5 Savvy—is written for the Maya user looking to boost their skills to the next level. Running throughout this book is a completely new, cohesive, expertly organized animation project that teaches specific Maya skills and, at the same time, gives you valuable hands-on exposure to the entire animation production process. Staged support files mean that you can begin and end work on this project anywhere you like—which in turn means you can read this book cover to cover or use it as a reference, dipping in wherever you need information on or practice with specific modeling, animation, and rendering techniques. Everywhere you turn,you'll find expert advice on the latest Maya features, time-saving shortcuts, and advanced capabilities. Coverage includes: Core Maya: interface briefing, plus planning, writing, and storyboarding your animation. Modeling: NURBS, polygons and subdivision surfaces, character modeling. Animation: paths and bones, deformers, binding, Trax, rigid body dynamics, MEL scripting, particle animation, expression-driven animation. Output: rendering architecture, rendering, shading and texturing, lighting, special light effects. Advanced Tools and Techniques: Paint Effects, ramps and volumes, soft body dynamics, Fluid Effects, Fur, Cloth. Note:CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.




Avid Made Easy


Book Description

Create impressive effects with free DV and XPress Pro Capture, edit, and output digital media Import and export images, movies, and audio Master the Tools and Techniques Used by Professional Editors Avid made non-linear video editing possible. This book makes it easy, even if you have no experience at all. In as little as a week, its clear instruction and realistic, practical tutorials will help you master every aspect of video editing with Avid: Capturing from DV or other source footage Creating and organizing storage bins Customizing settings to suit your specific needs Navigating and selecting clips for editing Editing clips into sequences Trimming sequences for more precise and flexible editing Importing graphics, audio, and movies Exporting edited sequences to a variety of formats Creating transitional and segment effects Know where all the tools are, and quickly find the easiest way to access any Avid function. Easily manage all your video sources, multiple audio tracks, and transitions and trims! Get just the right amount of information for the task at hand, such as keyframing audio. But Avid Made Easy is more than a comprehensive introduction to the capabilities of Avid Xpress and Free DV products. Author Jaime Fowler brings every bit of his vast experience to bear, helping you choose the right approach for every situation. He even teaches advanced techniques that you won't find covered in any Avid manual. The enclosed DVD contains your personal copy of Free DV, all the files you need to complete the book's tutorials, and a collection of the hottest Avid plug-ins. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.




Stage Lighting


Book Description

Stage Lighting: Design Applications and More builds upon the information introduced in Stage Lighting: The Fundamentals to provide an in-depth reference to a number of specialty areas of lighting design, from traditional applications such as drama, dance, and designing for different venues, to more advanced applications such as concert, corporate, film and video, virtual, and other forms of entertainment lighting. Each chapter gives the essential background, design practices, and equipment details for each specialization, so readers can make informed decisions and ask informed questions when encountering each field. The book provides insight on the latest technology and includes profiles of prolific designers, such as James Moody, Jeff Ravitz, Alan Adelman, and Paul Gregory. Stage Lighting: Design Applications and More is intended to help lighting designers translate their theatrical skills to other areas of lighting design, and provides guidance on how to take those initial steps into new ventures in their lighting careers.