Learn cutting-edge 3D animation techniques Create breathtaking content for film, TV, games, print media, and the Web using Autodesk Maya and the detailed information contained in this comprehensive resource. Maya experts and special effects gurus Tom Meade and Shinsaku Arima cover every step in the Maya production workflow using easy-to-follow tutorials, real-world examples, and insider tips and tricks. Maya 8: The Complete Reference shows you how to use the latest version of Maya to its full potential. You'll learn to integrate motion, create complex effects, manipulate lighting, render your final animation, and prepare for postproduction. Build 3D models using polygons, NURBS, and subdivision surfaces Use displacement maps to enhance geometry Create and skin skeletons Connect the attributes of any nodes together Build a control rig to manipulate skeletons Create your own tools using MEL scripts Master the Hypershade to control textures, cameras, and lights Work with the Artisan tools, Paint Effects tools, and 3D Paint tools Render your animation for postproduction Ready-to-use sample files on DVD

Maya Python for Games and Film is the first book to focus exclusively on how to implement Python with Maya. Written by trusted authorities in the field, this in-depth guide will help you master Maya Python, whether you're a seasoned technical artist looking to make the transition from MEL to Python or an aspiring artist not wanting to scramble for

The Visual Key to Maya One look and you'll see that this Maya book is different from all the others. It presents the core Maya features visually, using pages packed with striking graphics and loaded with concise explanations of the Maya interface. This expanded edition includes more tutorials; updated material on modeling, animation, rendering and dynamics; and new coverage of Toon Shaders, along with other exciting Maya tools. Engaging step-by-step lessons provide hands-on reinforcement as you learn. Start your adventures in Maya with this full-colour, visual guide—the perfect introduction to Maya 8. Use Paint Effects to create images from scratch or add painterly qualities to existing images. Learn how Maya's MEL scripts can help with tasks, such as connecting a curve's CVs to joints to pre-visualize a skeleton. The enclosed CD includes the Maya Personal Learning Edition and all the files you need to complete the tutorials.

"David Gould is an expert at using, programming, and teaching Maya, and it shows. People who need to program Maya will find this book essential. Even Maya users who don't intend to do extensive programming should read this book for a better understanding of what's going on under the hood. Compact yet thorough, it covers both MEL and the C++ API, and is written to be informative for both novice and expert programmers. Highly recommended!" -Larry Gritz, Exluna/NVIDIA, co-author of Advanced RenderMan: Creating CGI for Motion Pictures "This book should be required reading for all Maya programmers, novice and expert alike. For the novice, it provides a thorough and wonderfully well thought-out hands-on tutorial and introduction to Maya. The book's greatest contribution, however, is that in it David shares his deep understanding of Maya's fundamental concepts and architecture, so that even the expert can learn to more effectively exploit Maya's rich and powerful programming interfaces." -Philip J. Schneider, Disney Feature Animation, co-author of Geometric Tools for Computer Graphics "Having provided a technical review of David Gould's Complete Maya Programming, I must say that this book is the definitive text for scripting and plug-in development for Maya. Never before has there been such a concise and clearly written guide to programming for Maya. Any user smart enough to pick up this book would be better off for it." -Chris Rock, a Technical Director at "a Large Animation Studio in Northern California" "If you ever wanted to open the Maya toolbox, this is your guide. With clear step-by-step instructions, you will soon be able to customize and improve the application, as well as create your own extensions, either through the MEL scripting language or the full C++ API." -Christophe Hery, Industrial Light & Magic Learning Maya, the world's leading 3D animation and effects package, is a challenge, especially for those who want to master Maya's versatile programming features in addition to its built-in tools. Finally, here is a practical, step-by-step guide that shows how to use Maya to its fullest potential, beginning with the basics. Readers of Complete Maya Programming will first gain a thorough understanding of Maya's inner workings, and then learn how to customize and extend Maya with scripts and plugins that take control and productivity to new levels. Users new to programming can apply Maya's easy scripting language MEL (Maya Embedded Language), while more advanced users can work with the C++ API (Application Progamming Interface). Both a fundamental tutorial for Maya beginners and a solid reference for experienced developers, Complete Maya Programming is every user's guide to Maya mastery. FEATURES: *Demonstrates how to use MEL to control Maya, customize its interface, automate procedures, and more *Details how to use the C++ API to modify Maya functionality and develop tools and features to meet any need *Explains when to use MEL, when to use the C++ API, and how to use them together *Provides a multitude of real-world examples illustrating applications of Maya programming *Ideal for technical directors, developers, or anyone wishing to master Maya *Provides a storehouse of MEL scripts and C++ source code, glossary, and list of resources, available at www.davidgould.com

Kelly L. Murdock's Autodesk 3ds Max 2016 Complete Reference Guide is a popular book among users new to 3ds Max and is used extensively in schools around the globe. The success of this book is found in its simple easy-to-understand explanations coupled with its even easier to follow tutorials. The tutorials are laser focused on a specific topic without any extra material, making it simple to grasp difficult concepts. The book also covers all aspects of the software, making it a valuable reference for users of all levels. The Complete Reference Guide is the ultimate book on 3ds Max, and like Autodesk’s 3D animation software, it just gets better and better with each release. Whether you're new to 3ds Max or an experienced user, you'll find everything you need in this complete resource. The book kicks off with a getting started section, so beginners can jump in and begin working with 3ds Max right away. Experienced 3ds Max users, will appreciate advanced coverage of features like crowd simulation, particle systems, radiosity, MAXScript and more. Over 150 tutorials – complete with before and after files – help users at all levels build real world skills.

Kelly L. Murdock's Autodesk 3ds Max 2019 Complete Reference Guide is a popular book among users new to 3ds Max and is used extensively in schools around the globe. The success of this book is found in its simple easy-to-understand explanations coupled with its even easier to follow tutorials. The tutorials are laser focused on a specific topic without any extra material, making it simple to grasp difficult concepts. The book also covers all aspects of the software, making it a valuable reference for users of all levels. The Complete Reference Guide is the ultimate book on 3ds Max, and like Autodesk’s 3D animation software, it just gets better and better with each release. Whether you're new to 3ds Max or an experienced user, you'll find everything you need in this complete resource. The book kicks off with a getting started section, so beginners can jump in and begin working with 3ds Max right away. Experienced 3ds Max users will appreciate advanced coverage of features like crowd simulation, particle systems, radiosity, MAXScript and more. Over 150 tutorials – complete with before and after files – help users at all levels build real world skills.

David Gould's acclaimed first book, Complete Maya Programming: An Extensive Guide to MEL and the C++ API, provides artists and programmers with a deep understanding of the way Maya works and how it can be enhanced and customized through programming. In his new book David offers a gentle, intuitive introduction to the core ideas of computer graphics. Each concept is explained progressively and is fully implemented in both MEL and C++ so that an artist or programmer can use the source code directly in their own programs. Geometry and modeling are covered in detail with progressively more complex examples demonstrating all of Maya's possible programming features. David Gould's first volume is widely regarded as the most authoritative reference on Maya programming. Volume II continues this tradition and provides an unmatched guide for the artist and programmer tackling complex tasks. - Covers a spectrum of topics in computer graphics including points and vectors, rotations, transformations, curves and surfaces (polygonal, NURBS, subdivision), and modeling - Offers insights to Maya's inner workings so that an artist or programmer can design and develop customized tools and solutions - Discusses problem solving with MEL (Maya's scripting language) and the more powerful and versatile C++ API, with plenty of code examples for each

Kelly L. Murdock's Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 Complete Reference Guide is a popular book among users new to 3ds Max and is used extensively in schools around the globe. The success of this book is found in its simple easy-to-understand explanations coupled with its even easier to follow tutorials. The tutorials are laser focused on a specific topic without any extra material, making it simple to grasp difficult concepts. The book also covers all aspects of the software, making it a valuable reference for users of all levels. The Complete Reference Guide is the ultimate book on 3ds Max, and like Autodesk’s 3D animation software, it just gets better and better with each release. Whether you're new to 3ds Max or an experienced user, you'll find everything you need in this complete resource. The book kicks off with a getting started section, so beginners can jump in and begin working with 3ds Max right away. Experienced 3ds Max users, will appreciate advanced coverage of features like crowd simulation, particle systems, radiosity, MAXScript and more. Over 150 tutorials – complete with before and after files – help users at all levels build real world skills.

Kelly L. Murdock's Autodesk 3ds Max 2020 Complete Reference Guide is a popular book among users new to 3ds Max and is used extensively in schools around the globe. The success of this book is found in its simple easy-to-understand explanations coupled with its even easier to follow tutorials. The tutorials are laser focused on a specific topic without any extra material, making it simple to grasp difficult concepts. The book also covers all aspects of the software, making it a valuable reference for users of all levels. The Complete Reference Guide is the ultimate book on 3ds Max, and like Autodesk’s 3D animation software, it just gets better and better with each release. Whether you're new to 3ds Max or an experienced user, you'll find everything you need in this complete resource. The book kicks off with a getting started section, so beginners can jump in and begin working with 3ds Max right away. Experienced 3ds Max users will appreciate advanced coverage of features like crowd simulation, particle systems, radiosity, MAXScript and more. Over 150 tutorials – complete with before and after files – help users at all levels build real world skills. What is Autodesk 3ds Max? Autodesk 3ds Max is a popular 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing software widely used by game developers and graphic designers in the film and television industry. What you'll learn Discover all the new features and changes in 3ds Max 2020 Learn how to reference, select, clone, group, link and transform objects Explore 3D modeling and how to apply materials and textures Set impressive scenes with backgrounds, cameras and lighting Master smart techniques for rendering, compositing and animating Create characters, add special effects, and finish with dynamic animations such as hair and cloth Get comfortable with key tools such as Track View, Quicksilver, mental ray®, Space Warps, MassFX and more Who this book is for This comprehensive reference guide not only serves as a reference for experienced users, but it also easily introduces beginners to this complex software. Packed with expert advice from popular author Kelly Murdock, it begins with a getting started section to get you up and running, then continues with more than 150 step-by-step tutorials, in depth coverage of advanced features, and plenty of tips and timesavers along the way. Section Videos Each section of the book has a corresponding video. In each video author Kelly Murdock gives a brief overview of the contents of that section in the book, and covers some of the basics from the chapters within that section.

Kelly L. Murdock's Autodesk 3ds Max 2017 Complete Reference Guide is a popular book among users new to 3ds Max and is used extensively in schools around the globe. The success of this book is found in its simple easy-to-understand explanations coupled with its even easier to follow tutorials. The tutorials are laser focused on a specific topic without any extra material, making it simple to grasp difficult concepts. The book also covers all aspects of the software, making it a valuable reference for users of all levels. The Complete Reference Guide is the ultimate book on 3ds Max, and like Autodesk’s 3D animation software, it just gets better and better with each release. Whether you're new to 3ds Max or an experienced user, you'll find everything you need in this complete resource. The book kicks off with a getting started section, so beginners can jump in and begin working with 3ds Max right away. Experienced 3ds Max users, will appreciate advanced coverage of features like crowd simulation, particle systems, radiosity, MAXScript and more. Over 150 tutorials – complete with before and after files – help users at all levels build real world skills.