Digital 3d Design (Design Directories) - Softcover

Danaher, Simon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0823012964 ISBN 13: 9780823012961

Publisher: Watson-Guptill Pubns, 2001

Synopsis

Danaher is a veteran of producing three-dimensional computer artwork and animations and writing for computer and creative publications. He breaks down the process of creating three-dimensional graphics into its elements: techniques, jargon, and tools. He writes primarily for graphic designers with experience in two dimensions. He does not provide a bibliography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

Review

Digital 3D Design: The Use of 3D Applications in Digital Graphic Design is a compact and visually-loaded introduction to 3-D design. With 3-D graphics and animations popping up all over, in movies, computer games, and retail Web sites, many are looking to gain access into this exciting career. But all of the terms, jargon and applications can be daunting. Author Danaher, an expert in 3-D computer graphics, lays out an accessible and colourfully illustrated guide to it all. His approach will be especially welcome to those already experienced with 2-D paint or vector applications since there are some common themes.

A better subtitle might have been "Beyond Shiny Chrome Balls and Neon Skies", because the book quickly takes readers past those fairly basic fantasy-style images and on to more sophisticated modeling. It begins with a bit of history and a brief profile of the major 3-D applications like Maya, 3-D Studio Max, Poser, and many others. The next 60 pages cover core concepts like modeling, spline patches, NURBS and raytracing. In later sections, "lessons" cover more concepts in detail, for example, tessellation, keyframe animation, and UV texture mapping. Although these aren't quite step-by-step lessons, there are plenty of screenshots and Danaher clearly outlines what goes into each process. The book finishes by showing different uses of 3-D computer graphics, for example, on the Web (including VRML and Java 3-D), in architecture, and in product design. And there's a nice glossary of terms.

This is not a how-to focusing on any specific software, but rather a look at the big picture of 3-D design. Digital 3D Design will be a welcome introduction for anyone wanting to dip their toe in who doesn't know where to begin, or for artists looking to branch out into another dimension. --Angelynn Grant

About the Author

Simon Danaher has been working in the graphics industry for over five years, and his client base includes BBC Worldwide, UK magainzes and publishers, and international clients like Fujitsu and Isuzu. Simon has contributed regular material to leading creative magazines such as Computer Arts, 3D World, and MacUser, and on occasion he teaches application-specific courses in 3D computer graphics. His books include Digital 3D Design (Cassell Illustrated, 0304359904) and 3D Wizardry (Focal Press, 0240519221).

Edition details

• Publisher: Watson-Guptill Pubns
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0823012964
• ISBN 13: 9780823012961
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192