This screenshot-packed book, part of Discreet's Official Training Courseware, clearly lays out the basics and beyond for this popular 3D animation software. 3ds max is used to create high-quality film effects in major Hollywood features, but it is equally popular among game developers, who use it to create stunning visuals in the top games. The accompanying CD includes extensive support files and animations for completing the chapter exercises.

Demonstrates the computer animation program's interface and navigation and display tools while explaining how to use MAX to model and transform objects, map surfaces, render images, and create full-fledged animations.

* Shows beginning users how to create an exciting animation their very first day with 3ds max, the world's most popular animation modeling and rendering software for film, television, games, and design visualization * 3ds max is used to create high-profile animations for feature films such as X-Men 2, Minority Report, and Tomb Raider, and in the creation of popular games such as Dungeon Siege, Spiderman, Command and Conquer: Renegade, and Grand Theft Auto * More than 150 tutorials give readers valuable hands-on experience under the expert guidance of 3ds max master Kelly Murdock * A valuable CD-ROM will include a demo version of the new 3ds max release, tutorial files, 3D models, bonus plug-ins, and more * A sixteen-page, full-color insert shows how contributing artists are taking max to the next level

Jumpstart your quest for mastering 3ds max 5 with beginner level techniques that will apply to many aspects of 3d design. The exercises will walk you through steps that introduce and reinforce productive workflow methods for all users. The techniques focus on exciting new tools and features in 3ds max 5. Learn how to work quickly to build optimum scenes with flexible editing capabilities for maximum efficiency. CD-Rom will iclude all the project files needed to work through the book. 3d environment artists, whether for gaming, web content, film and television, or architecture have a responsibility to set the foundation and mood for all other aspects of 3d design. There is a plethora of books on character design and animation while the majority of jobs in the marketplace are for building environments for those few characters to exist in. This book walks you through several scenes that form a basis for learning tools, work methods, and efficient techniques that will make you a more valuable artist in a wide range of job opportunities. More experienced max users can also benefit from the fresh perspective and a focus on amazing new modeling tools, Global Illumination and Radiosity lighting, and animation enhancements included in 3ds max X. The book will include a CD ROM that will have all the project files needed to go with the book. Ted Boardmanis a well known 3ds max trainer, writer, and columnist, and is one of a dozen Authorized Discreet Training Specialists for Multimedia. He specializes in topics that enhance user productivity by teaching problem solving methods that lay the foundations for a deeper understanding of the concepts in the workflow. These methods allow a 3ds max user time for more important artistic decisions under tight deadlines.

The Book of R is a comprehensive, beginner-friendly guide to R, the world’s most popular programming language for statistical analysis. Even if you have no programming experience and little more than a grounding in the basics of mathematics, you’ll find everything you need to begin using R effectively for statistical analysis. You’ll start with the basics, like how to handle data and write simple programs, before moving on to more advanced topics, like producing statistical summaries of your data and performing statistical tests and modeling. You’ll even learn how to create impressive data visualizations with R’s basic graphics tools and contributed packages, like ggplot2 and ggvis, as well as interactive 3D visualizations using the rgl package. Dozens of hands-on exercises (with downloadable solutions) take you from theory to practice, as you learn: –The fundamentals of programming in R, including how to write data frames, create functions, and use variables, statements, and loops –Statistical concepts like exploratory data analysis, probabilities, hypothesis tests, and regression modeling, and how to execute them in R –How to access R’s thousands of functions, libraries, and data sets –How to draw valid and useful conclusions from your data –How to create publication-quality graphics of your results Combining detailed explanations with real-world examples and exercises, this book will provide you with a solid understanding of both statistics and the depth of R’s functionality. Make The Book of R your doorway into the growing world of data analysis.