Written by a team of highly qualified Kinetix-certified training specialists, this book is filled with proven, practical examples and exercises that teach novices and experienced users how to make MAX perform amazing animations and special effects, as used in the entertainment industry. Includes CD.

Make the Most of Today’s Leading Animation Package With release 4, max further establishes itself as today’s dominant modeling, animation, and rendering package. And with its fully revised and updated coverage, Mastering 3ds max 4 further establishes itself as the definitive max resource--just the book you need to master all the techniques supported by this powerful product. Inside, you’ll learn all about sculpting and texturing your characters, setting them in motion, lighting the scene, and producing the final animation--for movies, games, television, and the Web. You also get in-depth instruction in MAXScript, including detailed explanations of all that’s new to this release. Coverage includes: Understanding basic 3D concepts Modeling in polygons, patches, and NURBS Creating detailed models Optimizing models for low-poly environments Applying textures for real-time and pre-rendered output Animating using parametric animation, forward kinematics, inverse kinematics, and character studio Fine-tuning animation by editing keys and transitions Creating drama with lighting Applying post-process effects Cutting and cross-fading between shots Compositing in Video Post and combustion Exporting to Web 3D with Pulse Getting started with MAXScript Using scripting for scene manipulation Using scripting for animation Customizing the user interface Defining autostart scripts Creating your own plug-ins using MAXScript

Get professional training in 3ds Max from this Autodesk Official Training Guide Extremely popular with video game designers as well as architects, 3ds Max offers integrated 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing tools designed to streamline production. If you already have a working knowledge of 3ds Max basics, this official guide will take your skills to the next level. Detailed tutorials cover all the latest features of 3ds Max. From modeling, texturing, animation, and architectural visualization to high-level techniques for film, television, games, and more, this book provides professional-level instruction on 3ds Max. Those who are proficient in 3ds Max basics can take their 3D animation skills to the next level with this Autodesk Official Training Guide Offers industry-level training, with diverse tutorials that showcase techniques used in actual animations for games, film, TV, and architectural visualization Covers modeling, texturing, animation, visual effects, and high-level techniques as well as all the latest features of 3ds Max Also recommended as a preparation guide to Autodesk's 3ds Max Associate and Professional exams Mastering Autodesk 3ds Max will help intermediate to advanced 3ds Max users develop and sharpen their skills in this popular animation and effects software.

If you are new to Discreet combustion, or moving over to use this powerful animation and effects software from another effects package, then this is the book for you. It gives you all you need to know to get up and running with combustion, fast! It includes an overview of all the key features you need when starting out with simple and concise details on how to use them and how best to integrate the power of combustion into your workflow. An ideal Discreet combustion primer for computer graphics students or professionals with some prior experience in the field of computer graphics. Learn how to do many familiar concepts such as animating with paint and layers of video specifically in combustion. This guide will provide a jump-start into the major features of the software without going too in-depth about every single button in the program. Through the use of various samples and screen captures, you will learn why an artist would use one tool over another in addition to just what the different buttons do. Topics covered would include disciplines for motion graphics artists, broadcast designers, 3d animators, web artists, compositors and visual effects artists working for video and film based productions. People within the computer graphics industry of all sorts can take advantage of combustion because it is both a stand-alone application and also a bridge to several different disciplines including video editing, 3d animation, matte painting, 2d illustration and web design.

Software programs are complex, the books that explain them shouldn't be. This thoroughly illustrated, full-color guide explains everything you need to know to get up and running quickly with Combustion. Get a jump-start learning the major features or the software without bogging you down with unnecessary detail. The author shares his professional insight and extensive training experience to ensure you'll get the most out of all the professional paint, animation, editing and 3D compositing tools Combustion offers. Also featured are many workflow tips which show how to tap into the full power of Combustion 4 in your effects and motion graphics work. For useful tips and tutorials, visit the book's companion site at www.focalpress.com/companions/0240520106

First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This official guide to Shout3D provides a 32-page full-color section showing readers the projects presented in the book. The CD-ROM includes all the code used in the book, a full-strength demo version of the product, animations, plus programming and animation tools and plug-ins.