3D Graphics and Animation: From Starting Up to Standing Out

Rating:
Summary: Work through it and your an instant 3D artist!
Review: I don't usually rave about generic books like this but I'll make an exception. No matter what programme you are using to generate your little 3D gems, this book will give you a focussed step-by-step intro to doing almost anything that you need to provide professional results. Complete this book, pick up a few more on photorealistic techniques and change your name to George Lucas!

Rating:
Summary: Work through it and your an instant 3D artist!
Review: I don't usually rave about generic books like this but I'll make an exception. No matter what programme you are using to generate your little 3D gems, this book will give you a focussed step-by-step intro to doing almost anything that you need to provide professional results. Complete this book, pick up a few more on photorealistic techniques and change your name to George Lucas!

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful and interesting
Review: I liked the book as a whole. While definitely slanted to 3D Studio Max, it can apply to other programs. The blimp was an excellent tutorial, which I enjoyed working, but was a little vague in the implementation of certain stages. Only real complaint was the lack of usable stuff (textures, etc.) on the CD. I recommend the book to everyone but the advanced who might find some of the beginner information "old hat".

Rating:
Summary: The title of the book does not correspond to the contents!
Review: The book is very superficial and ranked in wrong category (new-accomplished). It also lacks technical aspects to make it somehow serious. The softwares included in the CD is rather poor comparatively to the size of the book. My advice is browse the book before buying.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent beginner's/intermediate guide
Review: This book was an excellent starting point for me. The examples used are software neutral enough to be used on any plaform. This book is a wonderful resource and reference, I find myself always referring back to it for definitions and examples. A must have for the beginner as well as the professional.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent beginner's/intermediate guide
Review: This book was an excellent starting point for me. The examples used are software neutral enough to be used on any plaform. This book is a wonderful resource and reference, I find myself always referring back to it for definitions and examples. A must have for the beginner as well as the professional.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Fundamentals
Review: This is the book I had been looking for a long time. Most 3d Software Manuals or tutorials tell you how to do something. But, this book explains why. It also explains the differences in software concepts: Ray tracing vs. scan rendering, surfaces vs. meshes, the different types of textures, and the different ways to apply them. Lighting & camera utilization. A must for every 3d artist.

Rating:
Summary: A great book with a useless CD.
Review: While I am a 3D Studio user and own several 3D Studio books, this general-approach book is what I return to time and again to regain my perspective and sense of purpose. While it does not cater to any specific 3D package, it does a better job of guiding one through the creation of a complex model (a blimp) and scene, including lighting and animation. Do not be fooled by the rash of newer 3D books on the market that, though addressing your specific 3D package, are hastily assembled, rampant with typos and erroneous steps, and composed of meaningless discrete examples that take you nowhere. This well-written and carefully-edited book remains one of the best resources on how to tackle a 3D project beginning to end.