Rating: 
Summary: Waste of $$$$
Review: I'm new to 3D, and really wanted to get into 3D character modeling. So I went down to my local bookstore, browsed around , till my eyes landed on "3D Creature Workshop" I was hypnotized! The cover looked cool, the book was huge, and best of all it had "Best Seller of 1998" sticker on it. So I coughed up the $75(Canadian) and started examining, and that's when I realized I bought the worst book possible The book starts out very well, no two ways about it, I was really impressed by Bill Fleming's ideas. The first tutorial wasn't that bad at all, and I managed to by pass it. Though once I got to the second tutorial, I was confused. Bill kept on skipping so many parts; with no help what so ever in the important parts. After weeks of trying the damn tutorial I gave it to my friend, and he too was unsuccessful. I was so disappointed by the Light-Wave tutorials, that I didn't bother trying the other ones, till this day I haven't finished the book. Now I read some of the other reviews about the book, and the book seems to get a high rating, which is a shock to me. Maybe that's because it's designed for more intermediate students (even though the book tries to cover that little fact up). However for me it was a waste of time and money. I only hope that my review can save people some time and money.
Rating: 
Summary: Best 3D modeller book!
Review: If you have any of the programs listed for the tutorials in thebook you should buy this book.The tutorials are in a way, that itdoesn't matter what 3D program you're using (either in the book ornot), they're easily readable into the 3D program you have. I have 3DStudio MAX 2.5/R3, and I use the spline modelling tools all the timenow that I've mastered them, somewhat. The entire book is great forbeginners, refreshing intermediates, and masters. Has some basicpoly-editing for those who use MeshSmooth. Patch modelling for thosewith MAX, and Spline/Surface tools for Animation Master. The onlyregret I'd see from the book is NURBS modelling. Would have liked totried a tutorial or two using that method. I would have liked a moredetailed poly-editing tutorial. Something more along an advanced onefor high quality character editing like what was done for the splineediting chapters. Something other that just a fish would have beennice. Though it's still a great book to be worth 5 stars. So gopick it up! :)...
Rating: 
Summary: Creature design is a tough little business
Review: It seems that this book has had mixed reviews as to how useful it is. By and large, creature design and building 3D creature models is a tough little business. Reading this book alone will not get you instant results in creature making, it provides insight into how Bill Fleming does it, but you can't expect to become an expert without a lot of practice. The book itself does provide good foundations into spline modelling and polygon modelling and it is interesting to see one method of modelling creatures. I must admit that in trying to copy the walk-throughs, I was at a loss, with each successive attempt I got better but still I had difficulty making my own creatures. I know the methodology, its just applying them. And like everything it takes practice. The book will give you a good idea on how to get going, but you'll need to put in a lot of work yourself too. Having looked at books in Japan on similar subjects, the modelling methods used are very similar although there are some minor differences. By and large this book is a good starting point to introduce you to creature modelling, but its going to take a lot of practice to get anywhere.
Rating:
Summary: promises...
Review: It's not really updated. Probably you won't read the whole book but only a few chapters. I find useful the chapter on design creatures and the one about max. Basically 1 chapter about lightwave, 1 about 3ds max and 1 about Animation master. The others one talk about minor programs so they are useless. You can save a lot of money searching on the net for specific tutorials. I'm sure yo'll find what you're looking for :)
Rating:
Summary: 3d Creature Workshop = Awesome!
Review: Just picked up the book 3D Creature Workshop by Bill Fleming, Editor in Chief at the newly-created Serious3D magazine. In just one word: WOW! Finally there is an excellent step-by-step, from beginning to end that shows you the what the experts are doing. This book is simply fanatastic for anyone creating monsters, animals, creatures and humanoids. The first chapter sets up the book with the importance of creating a biography for your creature. Bill follows through on this in creatures he tutorials throughout the book, some of them quite amusing. There are two chapters specifically devoted to users of 3D Studio Max R2, such as myself. One chapter deals with creating a cartoon fish using patch modeling. The other chapter is devoted to creating a cartoony mob hitman named Knuckles using Peter Watje's SurfaceTool. Both of these chapters are excellent and are filled with invaluable knowledge and tips. I would have liked to have seen a chapter on NURBS but with this changing in R2.5, maybe Bill adopted a wait and see attitude. he does cover NURBS with Lightwave and Animation Master which can be applied to Max. Two other 3d programs are covered in additional tutorial chapters, Lightwave and Animation Master. Can't comment on these becuase I don't use them. The second half of the book is geared towards photorealistic skin textures using Photoshop and your 3d program. This section alone is worth the price of the book. I instantly picked up several tips that I could not find anywhere else on the Net or in any other 3rd party 3d books or magazines..and trust me, I've read all of them. If this book is any indication of what we can expect from Serious3d magazine (which ships next week), Bill, count me as a lifelong subscriber. END
Rating:
Summary: For the dedicated computer-based animating reference shelf
Review: Now in a completely updated, revised, and expanded second edition, Bill Fleming and Richard Schrand's 3d Creature Workshop offers the novice beginner or the seasoned professional with insightful ideas, tips, tricks and techniques on bringing 3D creatures to life on the computer. Detailed tutorials explain ever aspect of creature creation using a variety of programs including Amapi, Pixels, #D, Organica, Lifeforms, and working with jointed characters from Poser 4. Now anyone can learn how to effectively create landscapes and environments using Bryce 4, Vue d'Espirit 3, and World Construction Set, as well as generate high quality image maps using DarkTree textures. A companion CD-ROM includes images and support materials for all the tutorials, a demo version of Amapi 3D; and a great deal more. Comprehensive, "learner friendly", 3d Creature Workshop is a highly recommended addition to the dedicated computer-based animating reference shelf.
Rating:
Summary: The Fine Art of Tweaking 3D Models.
Review: Ok, we've all used the Lightwave videos, books and Internet tutorials. You know the ones, they give you the fundamental steps to creating a character model, then show the finished object which is the result of many hours of tweaking. How did they get there? These presentations are great for learning the fundamentals, but stop short of teaching the nuances of creating a great character model. 3D Creature Workshop takes off where the others leave off. This book could be re-titled to The Fine Art of Tweaking 3D Models. Ever get frustrated trying to figure out how a particular contour was created on a model? How different bumps, ridges, dents, protrusions...etc. were created? Bill Fleming has unmasked the mystery behind great character models by sharing his wealth of knowledge in this area. This book will reduce the time required to become an accomplished modeler by light years. Remember, "A work of art is never finished only abandoned"----Leonardo da Vinci. A humble Lightwave hobbyist.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of $$$$
Review: Out of 9 chapters, only Chapters 5 & 6 deal specifically with 3D Studio Max. Ch. 5 requires a plug-in and various maps to finish the model. They're sadly missing from the Companion CD. Worse still, Ch. 6 requires a plug-in that costs $85 or else you cannot do the exercise at all! You only find that out on page 164! I hold the publisher and author responsible for such blatant omissions from the book. They have the repsonsibility to tell people that unless you have this $85 plug-in, various exercises will not work. The buyer can then make an informed decision on whether they want to buy the book or not. This book is a major letdown, I honestly cannot recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Not for Max Users -- Requires $85 Plug-in to Do Excercise
Review: Out of 9 chapters, only Chapters 5 & 6 deal specifically with 3D Studio Max. Ch. 5 requires a plug-in and various maps to finish the model. They're sadly missing from the Companion CD. Worse still, Ch. 6 requires a plug-in that costs $85 or else you cannot do the exercise at all! You only find that out on page 164! I hold the publisher and author responsible for such blatant omissions from the book. They have the repsonsibility to tell people that unless you have this $85 plug-in, various exercises will not work. The buyer can then make an informed decision on whether they want to buy the book or not. This book is a major letdown, I honestly cannot recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: The 3D Creature Creation Bible is Here!
Review: The 3D Creature Workshop is a must for anyone who is seriously interested in creating awesome 3D creatures. Nothing is more challenging, or frustrating, than creating detailed 3D creatures. Bill has done a fabulous job of outlining the step-by-step process of creating awesome creatures - without pulling out your hair in total frustration! I've read many 3D books and it's a welcome relief to see someone has finally written a book for 3D artists. I'm so tired of books that feature nothing but endless text and a mere couple figures. You won't find any of that dribble in this book. Bill gives you over 500 figures that carefully guide you through the process of creating incredible creatures, and he outlines each step of the modeling process in detail. It's like having him right there with you. My creature models are now ten times better than before I read the book. I've made more progress in the last 30 days that I did all year! What more can I say? The book is fabulous! It has a permanent place on my bookshelf, and should on yours.
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