Book Description

Animation:Master is an affordable and powerful 3D programeasy enough to be used by students, new 3D artists, and hobbyists for learningthe ins-and-outs of 3D, and powerful enough to be used by professionalanimators. Learning how to use the program is made easier with the completelyupdated Animation:Master 200X Handbook. This is the only book dedicated toAnimation:Master and now in it’s fifth edition, it continues to be the bestresource for all levels of A:M users. Whether new to Animation:Master or 3D,users learn the skills and fundamentals needed to master this incrediblypowerful, low-cost program. Beginning with a detailed review of the tools, thebook leads you through the important features of the program and explains whenand how to use them. Once you’re comfortable with the tools, you’ll getstarted with the basics of modeling, bones, and action. From there you’llexplore character modeling for animation, and set and environment modeling. Inthis edition, there is coverage of all the major new features through hands-ontutorials including Cloth, Hair Photon Mapping, OpenEXR output with split lightbuffer elements, compositing, and expressions. There is a detailed chapter onlighting chapter that covers Photon Mapping and radiosity solutions thatexplains how to set up lights to ensure correct radiance from surfaces for themost realistic renders possible. The rendering and compositing chapter isdedicated to setting up and using OpenEXR light buffers to get the most fromA:M's built in compositor. The complex topic of expressions is also covered indetail, with the major uses and syntax necessary to get the most out of A:Mexplained in clear, non-technical terms. The CD-ROM includes all of the tutorialfiles and figures from the book. This is the one resource you’ll need to gobeyond the basics with Animation:Master 200X.

Key Features

• Provides the only detailed guide to using the latest version of Animation:Master
• Gives new users a comprehensive reference and experienced users a re-introduction to the redesigned tools and techniques of the new AM Provided tutorials and coverage of the newest features, including Cloth, Hair Photon Mapping, OpenEXR output with split light buffer elements, compositing, and expressions
• Teaches 3D concepts through new and updated tutorials and examples
• Includes a companion CD-ROM with all the figures from the book in full color and all the tutorial files needed to complete the projects in the book

Author Bio(s)

David Rogers (Chicago, IL) is a professional animator whohas been working with Animation:Master since 1995. His demonstration tutorial onlighting with A:M was recorded for inclusion in the 2000 Pro Series trainingtapes by Hash Inc. and many of his animated actions are included the librarythat accompanies the software. He also remains involved with short film projectsin his spare time.

Author: David Rogers

ISBN: 1584504757
Pub Date: Available April, 2006
Format: Book