Maya Character creation: modeling and animation control - Softcover

Maraffi, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0735713448 ISBN 13: 9780735713444

Publisher: New Riders, 2003

Synopsis

A unique, in-depth approach to creating realistic characters in Maya. Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls' author, Chris Maraffi, has expertise in the field and in the classroom that translates to the knowledge and solid teaching skills needed to make this book a "must-have"!

The current trend in computer graphics is greater organic realism. Many of the top-grossing movies today, such as Spiderman, Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park 3 , and Star Wars Episode 2, all feature realistic 3D characters. There is a major need in the 3D community for educational material that demonstrates detailed techniques for achieving this organic reality. Maya is one of the main packages used on such cutting-edge films, and has an established toolset for creating believable 3D characters. Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls is designed to take you through the process of designing, modeling, and setting up animation controls for complex 3D characters. The concepts, techniques, and Maya tools used for each step in the process are presented in each chapter, followed by many hands-on exercises. NURBS, polygon, and subdivision surface modeling techniques are shown for creating the character's skin, and skeleton-based animation controls are covered in detail. You will learn how a character's skin should deform when the skeletal joints and muscles move. Advanced MEL scripted animation controls are also covered extensively.

About this title

About the Author

Chris Maraffi is currently Course Director of character modeling and character setup classes at Full Sail Real World Education in Orlando. He was a presenter, with other Full Sail faculty, of the Maya Tips and Tricks master class at SIGGRAPH 2001 for Alias Wavefront. In addition, he has taught advanced 3D classes at NYU Parsons School of Visual Arts, and NYIT in New York City. Also in the San Francisco Bay area, he taught at the Academy of Art, Mesmer Animation Labs, and The Master's Institute. He is the author of SoftImage XSI Character Animation FX and Design published by Coriolis. Other publications include numerous online and magazine 3D tutorials and articles.

From the Back Cover

A unique, in-depth approach to creating realistic characters in Maya. Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls' author, Chris Maraffi, has expertise in the field and in the classroom that translates to the knowledge and solid teaching skills needed to make this book a "must-have"!

The current trend in computer graphics is greater organic realism. Many of the top-grossing movies today, such as Spiderman, Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park 3 , and Star Wars Episode 2, all feature realistic 3D characters. There is a major need in the 3D community for educational material that demonstrates detailed techniques for achieving this organic reality. Maya is one of the main packages used on such cutting-edge films, and has an established toolset for creating believable 3D characters. Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls is designed to take you through the process of designing, modeling, and setting up animation controls for complex 3D characters. The concepts, techniques, and Maya tools used for each step in the process are presented in each chapter, followed by many hands-on exercises. NURBS, polygon, and subdivision surface modeling techniques are shown for creating the character's skin, and skeleton-based animation controls are covered in detail. You will learn how a character's skin should deform when the skeletal joints and muscles move. Advanced MEL scripted animation controls are also covered extensively.

Edition details

• Publisher: New Riders
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0735713448
• ISBN 13: 9780735713444
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 349