Learn how to produce desired design techniques with the how-to, detailed instructions in Learning Autodesk Maya The Special Effects Handbook (Official Autodesk Training Guide, includes DVD). This book uses actual production files from an animated short film in tutorials that will get you familiar with Mayas tools, options and capabilities. Follow the clear, step-by-step instructions to understand the rendering and dynamic stages of productions. You can explore lighting, texturing and visual effects and become familiar with the latest features through the books new tutorials and art.

Maya is one of the top 2 software tools available today for 3D game and film development - 600,000 registered users. This is a MUST-HAVE book for game artists interested in proficiency with Maya. If you can only afford one 3D modeling book, this is the one to have!

Learning Autodesk Maya 2008 I Foundation is your key to unlocking the power of Autodesk Maya software, directly from the creators of one of the world's most powerful 3D animation and effects software products. Get hands-on experience with the innovative tools and powerful techniques available in Autodesk Maya 2008. You'll gain a sense of the entire production process as you work on creating and animating characters from Sony Pictures Animation's feature film, Surf's Up. You'll even learn about compositing your characters into alternate environments in a bonus chapter on Autodesk Combustion software. Explore the Maya user interface, create organic structures with NURBS, apply forward and inverse kinematics, deform surfaces, learn to use Trax non-linear animation, discover rendering techniques, and so much more with this easy to follow guide to Maya. Includes bonus DVD with scene files, instructor-led podcasts, and other reference guides to give you a solid foundation in the art of animating with Maya.

This spectacular full-color guide takes a brand-new approach to Maya special effects, using characters and effects from the Oscar-winning short film The ChubbChubbs to teach rendering and dynamics * Covers the whole range of special effects topics, including lighting, camera rigging, effects, particles, and rigid bodies. Allows animators to compare effects they create with the effects found in the final film. Packed with great content from Alias, creators of Maya. The DVD includes instructor-led tutorials on Quicktime video as well as scene files, artist interviews, and Maya Personal Learning Edition

Develop out of this world modeling and animation skills with Learning Maya 7 | The Modeling and Animation Handbook. Based on artwork from the Academy Award®-winning Sony Pictures Imageworks’ The ChubbChubbs!, this book will allow you to follow clear step-by-step tutorials to understand the modeling and animation stages of production. Learn to refine models with a variety of surface types and then make them move with a wide range of animation techniques directly from the makers of Alias software. This intermediate-level book will help you make sound decisions from the beginning, to save yourself unnecessary challenges further down the pipeline. As a bonus feature, this hands-on book will also introduce you to animation in Alias MotionBuilder. Bonus Material:Includes free models from Turbo Squid (retail value $460.00)!

This exceptional, full-color Maya Press title -- produced by Alias, the software's creators -- is a comprehensive mid-cycle revision that uses the award-winning short film Blue as the basis for the book's all-new hands-on tutorials. Artists, students, educators, and hobbyists will appreciate this book's comprehensible coverage of 3D and Maya basics. Project-focused lessons use actual production files from the film Blue to teach you most of the tools available in Maya Complete. The companion DVD includes instructor-led tutorials, scene files, artist interviews, and Maya PLE. Also includes Alias's Sketchbook Pro Version 1.1.1, $129.99 value.

Brought to you from Maya Press, a publishing partnership between Sybex and Alias, this intro book is fully updated for the newest release of Maya. Here is the ideal initiation to 3D and Maya--an accessible and affordable tutorial that offers you a practical approach to learning Maya's core features. The full-color insert illustrates real examples created by Maya professionals. The CD includes 3D rendering and animation project demos, plug-ins, links to animation resources, and your own copy of Maya Personal Learning Edition software.

This is truly one of the most easy to read Maya books out there that demonstrate a wide range of production level techniques. The book is so well written that I could simply follow the instructions and never get lost, not to mention I can always find the information I need FAST. Personally after reading many Maya books, I think this book offer the most balanced topics from 3D concepts, Maya basics, 3D modeling to advanced rigging, animation, rendering and VFX. All chapters are technique driven, with step by step instructions, along with the most up to date information.

Add Another Dimension to Your Portfolio—And Move to the Top of Your Craft Professional artists who strive to bring a new look to their illustrations are using Alias' premier 3D software in tandem with Adobe's prominent digital imaging program to create cutting-edge graphics. Now, with Maya 6, this remarkable combo is even better integrated than before.

This official book, produced by Alias, will teach you everything you need to achieve effective character set-up and animation in Maya 6 and become a true puppet master. Each chapter includes a theoretical discussion to help you understand the concepts at play, as well as easy to follow step-by-step tutorials so that you can practice your skills. The companion DVD-ROM includes tutorial support files and movies, as well as chapter-by-chapter QuickTime overviews from the author/certified instructor. It also features Maya Beginners Guide | Animation ($34.99 value) to help you get started right away!