Turn 3D models into film-worthy digital animations by mastering mental ray rendering once and for all. This must-have guide is the only book on the market to focus exclusively on mental ray in Maya, 3ds Max, and XSI, and it's packed with techniques and insights you can't get anywhere else. Best of all, the book's advanced rendering concepts apply to other rendering software as well, including V-Ray, Brazil, Maxwell and RenderMan. Discover advanced lighting, camera, and workflow techniques that usually take professionals years to figure out.

The only hands-on book devoted to mastering Maya's dynamics tools for water, wind, and fire In the world of animation, the ability to create realistic water, wind, and fire effects is key. Autodesk Maya software includes powerful dynamics tools that have been used to design breathtaking effects for movies, games, commercials, and short films. This professional guide teaches you the primary techniques you need to make the most of Maya's toolkit, so you'll soon be creating water that ripples, gusting winds and gentle breezes, and flickering fires the way Hollywood pros do. The one-of-a-kind book is completely project-based. Learn the intricacies of Maya's Dynamics tools and continue to build your skills with projects that increase in complexity. A DVD is included with additional video training. Maya is the industry-leading 3D animation and effects software; Maya dynamics tools create water and other fluids, wind, fire, fur, particles, and more Build professional skills in Maya Dynamics with this project-based guide Put your skills to work by completing a series of projects on water, wind, and fire effects A DVD included with the book provides additional video training Maya Studio Projects: Dynamics is one of a new series of books designed to teach animators and designers fresh skills through project-based instruction. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Market_Desc: · Video Game Artists· Animators· Effects Specialists· Game Developers· Industrial And Architectural Designers· Broadcast And Multimedia Designers· Instructors · Students Special Features: · The only book that covers the art of mental ray, the leading digital rendering program distributed with every major 3D software package. Estimated reach is over 500,000 users· mental ray is the built-in renderer for Maya, 3ds max, and XSI 3D software solutions, the three most popular digital animation and effects programs on the market· The book is aimed at high-end professionals and students anxious to master mental ray· A 16-page color insert showcases final rendered images of the studio quality seen in films like The Brothers Grimm, The Day After Tomorrow, and The Matrix Revolutions· The CD includes models, textures, and fully rendered samples. It also provides value-added HD images (worth $50 apiece in other packages), MEL plug-ins for Maya and XSI to convert cameras for generating terrains ($100 value), and other valuable plug-ins · Curriculum guides are also available for training centers and schools that teach mental ray About The Book: This is a one-stop resource for the keys to rendering with mental ray that 3D artists can t get any where else. The book shows how to create stunning, highly realistic images with mental ray using the most popular 3D programs, with a focus on helping artists make informed decisions on advanced lighting and workflow issues that will transform their creations into studio quality photo-realistic characters, objects, and landscapes. The tutorials have been developed and tested in the author s professional studio, as well as in the classroom, providing artists with the level of expertise they need to stay current and students with cutting-edge know-how to take to their job hunt.

This updated bestseller provides an introduction to programming interactive computer graphics, with an emphasis on game development using DirectX 11. The book is divided into three main parts: basic mathematical tools, fundamental tasks in Direct3D, and techniques and special effects. It includes new Direct3D 11 features such as hardware tessellation, the compute shader, dynamic shader linkage and covers advanced rendering techniques such as screen-space ambient occlusion, level-of-detail handling, cascading shadow maps, volume rendering, and character animation. Includes a companion CD-ROM with code and figures. eBook Customers: Companion files are available for downloading with order number/proof of purchase by writing to the publisher at [email protected].