3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Autodesk Maya is a hands-on academic textbook as well as a do-it-yourself training manual for the individual animator. This second edition has been completely rewritten to take into account updates to Autodesk Maya, including Autodesk’s renderer, Arnold. It contains entirely new examples and tutorial lessons. All 612 images are in full color. The book directs the reader to the parts of Maya that must be mastered in order to create complete 3D projects, and thus it simplifies the process of taking on Maya’s vast and intricate interface, while giving the reader a firm foundation on which to build future knowledge of Maya. It also presents brief examples of other popular 3D applications and rendering engines. This principles-based, yet pragmatic book: Introduces the basic steps of the 3D modeling, materials, animation, lighting, and rendering processes. Presents clear and concise tutorials that link key concepts to practical techniques. Includes access to a webpage for the book: https://buzzking.com/AnimationTextbook/AnimationTextbook.html. On this webpage are videos that cover many of the lessons in the book, as well as video tutorials that present bonus material not included in the book. Frees instructors from the painstaking task of developing step-by-step examples to present Maya’s complex interface and basic capabilities. Boasts an easy-to-follow, tutorial-based learning style ideal for individual study by aspiring animators and do-it yourselfers. Roger "Buzz" King is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he teaches 3D Animation for the Computer Science Department and the Alliance for Technology, Learning, and Society (ATLAS), an institute dedicated to the application of technology to the arts. Buzz is an independent 3D animator who serves on the board of directors of a 3D animation startup. Buzz has a B.A. in Mathematics from Occidental College, an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, and an M.Div. from the Iliff School of Theology. Key Features Introduces critical aspects of the 3D animation process Presents clear and concise tutorials that link key concepts to practical techniques Includes access to a dedicated Web site, http://3dbybuzz.com, featuring useful videos, lessons, and updates Frees instructors from developing step-by-step examples to present Maya’s complex interface and basic Boasts an easy-to-follow, hands-on learning style ideal for individual study by aspiring animators and do-ityourselfers

"Accessible to art, engineering, computer science, and film students and professionals, this text provides a concise, principles-based introduction to 3D animation. It emphasizes the process for creating animated projects in a nonmathematical fashion. The text focuses on how to carry out this process with Autodesk Maya, the gold standard in 3D animation. Each chapter introduces a critical aspect of the 3D animation process and guides readers through simple, step-by-step tutorials that link key principles to Autodesk Maya techniques."--

3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Autodesk Maya is a hands-on academic textbook as well as a do-it-yourself training manual for the individual animator. This second edition has been completely rewritten to take into account updates to Autodesk Maya, including Autodesk’s renderer, Arnold. It contains entirely new examples and tutorial lessons. All 612 images are in full color. The book directs the reader to the parts of Maya that must be mastered in order to create complete 3D projects, and thus it simplifies the process of taking on Maya’s vast and intricate interface, while giving the reader a firm foundation on which to build future knowledge of Maya. It also presents brief examples of other popular 3D applications and rendering engines. This principles-based, yet pragmatic book: Introduces the basic steps of the 3D modeling, materials, animation, lighting, and rendering processes. Presents clear and concise tutorials that link key concepts to practical techniques. Includes access to a webpage for the book: https://buzzking.com/AnimationTextbook/AnimationTextbook.html. On this webpage are videos that cover many of the lessons in the book, as well as video tutorials that present bonus material not included in the book. Frees instructors from the painstaking task of developing step-by-step examples to present Maya’s complex interface and basic capabilities. Boasts an easy-to-follow, tutorial-based learning style ideal for individual study by aspiring animators and do-it yourselfers. Roger "Buzz" King is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he teaches 3D Animation for the Computer Science Department and the Alliance for Technology, Learning, and Society (ATLAS), an institute dedicated to the application of technology to the arts. Buzz is an independent 3D animator who serves on the board of directors of a 3D animation startup. Buzz has a B.A. in Mathematics from Occidental College, an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, and an M.Div. from the Iliff School of Theology. Key Features Introduces critical aspects of the 3D animation process Presents clear and concise tutorials that link key concepts to practical techniques Includes access to a dedicated Web site, http://3dbybuzz.com, featuring useful videos, lessons, and updates Frees instructors from developing step-by-step examples to present Maya’s complex interface and basic Boasts an easy-to-follow, hands-on learning style ideal for individual study by aspiring animators and do-ityourselfers

Each chapter of 3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Maya introduces critical aspects of the 3D animation process and presents clear and concise tutorials that link key concepts to practical Autodesk® Maya® techniques. Providing a principles-based, yet pragmatic, approach to 3D animation, this first-of-its-kind book: Describes the process for creating animated projects in a nonmathematical fashion Explains why—and not just how—to apply Maya techniques in the real world Includes access to a dedicated Web site, http://3dbybuzz.com, featuring useful videos, lessons, and updates 3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Maya is an ideal academic textbook as well as a superlative do-it-yourself training manual. When employed as a text, it frees the instructor from the painstaking task of developing step-by-step examples to present Maya’s complex interface and basic capabilities. When used for individual study, aspiring animators revel in the book’s easy-to-follow, hands-on learning style. Make 3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Maya your book of choice for understanding the essential theory and practice of 3D animation.

Written by renowned author and 3D artist Kelly L. Murdock, Autodesk Maya 2022 Basics Guide is designed to give new users a solid understanding of the fundamental skills needed to create beautiful 3D models and stunning animations with Autodesk Maya. Using clear and easy to follow instructions this book will guide you through learning all the major features of Maya. The text is complemented by video instruction. Each chapter has a corresponding video tutorial that introduces you to the topics and allows you to watch and learn how functions are performed in a way that a text alone cannot do. Autodesk Maya 2022 Basics Guide makes no assumptions about your previous experience with Autodesk Maya. It begins by helping you get comfortable with the user interface and navigating scenes before moving into modeling, texturing, lighting, animating, rendering and more. Additionally, more advanced features such as character rigging, skinning, animating with dynamics and MEL scripting are also introduced. Each chapter begins by examining the concept behind each task, the goal and the necessary features that are involved. Then you go in-depth with the objective of your task as you study examples and learn the steps necessary to complete it. Working your way through the comprehensive, step-by-step lessons, you'll develop the confidence you need to create incredible renderings and animations using Autodesk Maya. Who this book is for This text was created specifically for users with no prior 3D modeling or animation experience. If you want to work in a creative field or are just curious about how 3D animated movies are made this book is the perfect way to get started. Users who are migrating from another 3D application or upgrading from a previous version of Maya will also benefit greatly from this text. What you'll learn • How to create models using primitives, curves, NURBS, Polygons and more • How to assign materials and textures to make realistic-looking models • How to use Paint Effects to paint on and quickly create complex 3D Models • How to use lights, cameras, and depth of field to render captivating scenes • How to use keyframes, motion paths and the Graph Editor to create animations • How to use character rigging, skinning, and inverse kinematics to animate realistic movements • How to use various deformers to manipulate objects, animations and special effects • How to add influence objects, skin weights and hair to a character for a more realistic look • How to use dynamics to create fire, smoke, lightning, explosions, cloth and ocean effects • How to enable raytracing, motion blur, and fog effects for increased realism • How to render stills and animations using Maya Vector and Mental Ray for different looks • How to use the Command Line and MEL Scripting to work faster About Autodesk Maya Maya is a program, created by Autodesk, used to model, animate, and render 3D scenes. 3D scenes created with Maya have appeared in movies, television, advertisements, games, product visualizations, and on the Web. With Maya, you can create and animate your own 3D scenes and render them as still images or as animation sequences.

"Mastering Maya: A Comprehensive Guide to Autodesk's 3D Animation Software" is an essential handbook for anyone looking to delve into the world of 3D animation using Autodesk Maya. Crafted by seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the field, this book offers a thorough exploration of Maya's features, tools, and workflows, catering to both beginners and seasoned users alike. The book begins with an overview of Maya's interface, providing clear explanations and visual aids to help readers navigate the software with ease. From basic navigation to advanced customization options, every aspect of Maya's interface is covered in detail, ensuring that readers feel comfortable and confident in their interactions with the software. As readers progress through the book, they are introduced to Maya's core features and functionalities, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, and rendering. Each topic is presented in a structured manner, with step-by-step tutorials, practical examples, and hands-on exercises that reinforce learning and facilitate skill development. One of the book's key strengths lies in its emphasis on real-world application. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical concepts, the authors provide practical insights and industry best practices gleaned from their own experiences, helping readers understand how Maya is used in professional settings and empowering them to create high-quality animations of their own. Moreover, the book covers advanced topics such as dynamics, effects, scripting, and pipeline integration, catering to the needs of intermediate and advanced users seeking to expand their skill set. Whether you're interested in creating character animations, visual effects, architectural visualizations, or game assets, "Mastering Maya" equips you with the knowledge and tools needed to bring your creative vision to life. In summary, "Mastering Maya: A Comprehensive Guide to Autodesk's 3D Animation Software" is an indispensable resource for anyone looking to master the art of 3D animation. By combining comprehensive coverage of Maya's features with practical insights and expert guidance, this book empowers readers to unleash their creativity and achieve professional-level results in their animation projects.

Each chapter of 3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Maya introduces critical aspects of the 3D animation process and presents clear and concise tutorials that link key concepts to practical Autodesk Maya techniques. Providing a principles-based, yet pragmatic, approach to 3D animation, this first-of-its-kind book:Describes the process for creat