Spark your creativity with the world’s most popular animation software and the detailed instruction in this power-packed book from an industry expert. If you’re new to 3ds Max, jump right in with a Quick Start program that will have you modeling and rendering a complete image your first day. Experienced users, discover exciting new Max 8 features such as a new module for hair and fur, a new cloth system, and much more. This comprehensive book covers every feature, and it’s loaded with professional techniques and full color examples to inspire you.

Inside, you’ll find complete coverage of 3ds Max 8

* Model a detailed creature right away with the Quick Start tutorial
* Add realistic and dynamic hair, fur, and cloth to your models
* Create complex characters with Max’s new biped features
* Use the expanded Edit Poly options to work more efficiently with Edge Ring and Edge Loop selections
* Explore Max’s new Asset Tracking system including the Autodesk(r) Vault client
* Make texture creation a snap with the new Pelt mapping method and the Render UVW Template feature
* Save, load, and retarget animation files using the supported XML Animation File (XAF) format
* Easily render a series of stills from several angles with the new Batch Render tool

This book will help you take full advantage of the VBA programming environment within AutoCAD 2006. Whether you want to automate routine tasks, or create sophisticated applications or design that can be generated programmatically, this book will empower you to make AutoCAD work for you.

This book is also suitable if you’re a power user who wants to make use of the advanced features of AutoCAD 2006 VBA, and you need a fast reference for the full AutoCAD object model. You’ll learn to run Autodesk design tasks in the embedded VBA environment. This book is loaded with source code examples, and gives you—no matter your skill level—the necessary tools to accomplish your AutoCAD 2006 automation tasks.

This book instructs the reader from the beginning by teaching the underlying mathematics and 3D theory necessary to make sense of the DirectX 9 API.

JOIN THE RANKS OF CREATIVE, HIGHLY PAID DIGITAL ANIMATORS! MASTER DIGITAL ANIMATION — USING THE THREE HOTTEST PROGRAMS Essential to today’s commercials, feature films, games corporate presentations, and education digital animation is the hottest career prospect in the media creation business. In this new arena, creativity is king, not the size of your studio. In the Digital Animation Bible, Videography and Digital Cinema magazine Contributing Editor George Avgerakis, a professional digital animator and videographer, gives you everything you need to get started, showing how any determined and creative reader can master this exciting new field by learning the fundamentals — and getting comfortable with any of the three leading software packages that form the common language of contemporary digital animation. STEP BY STEP: HOW TO SET UP AND OPERATE YOUR OWN DIGITAL ANIMATION STUDIO Digital Animation Bible: * Helps you get your fist professional experience as an intern * Provides essential information on choosing and using the right software, with dozens of hands-on examples * Shows you how to put together a killer show reel * Guides you into your first paying job, from interview to paycheck * Shows you how to take a client from a need to a complete storyboard * Helps you originate, define, and render unforgettable characters * Facilitates your skill in lighting 3-D animations * Prepares you for your new life as a professional digital animator or studio owner! Everything you need is in this book, including a CD that allows access to FREE learning versions of 3ds max, Lightwave, Maya and other useful animation software!

OpenGL opens the door to the world of high-quality, high-performance 3D computer graphics. The preferred application programming interface for developing 3D applications, OpenGL is widely used in video game development, visualization and simulation, CAD, virtual reality, modeling, and computer-generated animation.

OpenGL® Distilled provides the fundamental information you need to start programming 3D graphics, from setting up an OpenGL development environment to creating realistic textures and shadows. Written in an engaging, easy-to-follow style, this book makes it easy to find the information you’re looking for. You’ll quickly learn the essential and most-often-used features of OpenGL 2.0, along with the best coding practices and troubleshooting tips.

Topics include

• Drawing and rendering geometric data such as points, lines, and polygons
• Controlling color and lighting to create elegant graphics
• Creating and orienting views
• Increasing image realism with texture mapping and shadows
• Improving rendering performance
• Preserving graphics integrity across platforms

A companion Web site includes complete source code examples, color versions of special effects described in the book, and additional resources.

If you thought Angelina Jolie was responsible for Lara Croft’s
curves, think again! Long before the Hollywood actress brought the Tomb
Raider heroine to life, Alias’ 3D modeling software Maya was used to
create the lovely Lara; Ms. Jolie simply filled in her curves! When
you’re ready to start creating equally compelling characters of your
own, you need this comprehensive volume! In these pages,
gaming-industry veteran Antony Ward uses a combination of informative
narrative, hands-on tutorials, and a slew of illustrations and screen
shots to show you how to use Maya to address the most complex element
of game creation-developing great characters! As you follow along,
Antony uses the development of two diverse characters-a female figure
and a fantastical character with outrageous proportions, wings, and a
demon-like face-to demonstrate the techniques involved in modeling
detailing, optimizing, texturing, rigging, binding, and animating
characters with Maya. The companion CD includes lesson files, scripts,
an automatic rigging tool, demo software, and more!

Get ready to explore all that LightWave 3D 8 has to offer! Giving you a firm foundation, “LightWave 3D 8 Revealed” allows you to master concepts on both a technical and artistic level. Begin by examining the concept behind each task?the goal and the necessary features that are involved. Then go in depth with the objective of your task a you study examples and learn the steps necessary to complete it. Working your way through comprehensive, step-by-step lessons, you?ll develop the confidence you need to create amazing animation and graphics using LightWave 3D 8.