Maya 5 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide

About

Features

• Task-based—Information is broken down into concise, one- and two-page tasks.

  • Allows students to learn the most important tasks of a program or operating system and get right to work on any project.

• Step-by-Step—Numbered, easy-to-follow instructions.

  • Succinct numbered instructions provide a logical approach to learning tasks.

• Visual Reference—Plenty of screen shots illustrate the step-by-step instructions.

  • Visually demonstrates and reinforces the instructions for a particular task as the students work at their computers.

• Quick Reference Tabs—Tabs on each page identify the task.

  • Easy for the instructors and students to find a particular task and makes these texts useful after the course ends.

• Shaded sidebars.

  • Sections that call attention to important features and additional helpful information.

• Tips.

  • Highlighted through the book offer author advice, time-saving shortcuts, and pointers for students who want a further understanding of the program.

• Industry-leading Authors.

  • The authors are industry-leading teachers, writers, and designers, providing students with expert, professional training.

• Learning Objectives—Included in the Student Study Guide after each chapter.

  • Lists the main points students should learn from a chapter.

• Get Up and Running Exercises—Based on techniques introduced in a chapter.

  • Helps students synthesize and practice what they have learned.

• Class Discussion Questions.

  • Helps students review the chapter with their class or study group and explore concepts related to the tools and techniques explained in the chapter.

• Review Questions—Contains a set of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and definition questions.

  • Enables students to evaluate how well they have learned key details.

• Instructor Resources—Posted online. Includes expanded instructor notes and answers to all review questions.

  • Provides the tools to help teachers guide and evaluate their students.

Description

The fastest, easiest way to learn Maya 5, the industry-leading 3D software. Updated to reflect Maya's new features, including new rendering technology and the new Fluid Effects feature, found only in Maya Unlimited. Incisive text, crystal clear screen shots, and step-by-step instructions allow readers to get up and running fast with Maya 5. This eagerly anticipated update to the popular Maya 5: Visual QuickStart Guide uses a combination of task-based instruction and strong visuals to teach beginning and intermediate users how to liven up their 3D graphics with Maya. Best-selling author Danny Riddell takes readers step by step through all of today's Maya's essentials: Character animation and setup, polygonal modeling, dynamic interaction with Windows, and more. Both beginning users, who want a thorough introduction to the topic, and more advanced users, who are looking for a convenient reference, will find what they need here--in straightforward language and through readily accessible examples. By the end of the volume, users will be fully versed in Maya 5. Note: Maya Complete is available for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X users for $1999. Maya Unlimited, for Linux and Windows only, costs $6999. Maya Personal Learning Edition is FREE. This book covers the Maya Complete and Personal Learning Edition, and covers select features of Maya Unlimited.

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Introduction.


 1. Maya Basics.


 2. Navigating and Changing the Interface.


 3. Creating Primitives and Text.


 4. Selection Modes, Hiding and Templating.


 5. Transforming Objects and Components.


 6. Grouping, Parenting, Aligning, and Snapping.


 7. NURBS Curves and Surfaces.


 8. Polygons and Subdivided Surfaces.


 9. Skeletons and IK.


10. Parenting and Binding to a Skeleton.


11. Animation.


12. Deformers.


13. Creating Lights.


14. Shaders and Materials.


15. Cameras and Rendering.


16. Dynamics.

Updates

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