Your one-stop resource for getting up to speed on Autodesk Maya 2009

The Learning Autodesk Maya 2009 Collection is your key to unlocking the power of Autodesk Maya. The official training guides in this special collection cover all stages of the Maya 3D production pipeline from start to finish. Each book includes step-by-step lessons using real-world production files and a DVD packed with free 3D models from TurboSquid, plus instructor-led videos, and much more.

Learning Autodesk Maya 2009 | Foundation

With this book, you will

• Get a project-based introduction to Maya 2009 with artwork from the feature film Delgo
• Explore the Maya user interface and 3D workspace
• Build a character with polygons and create organic structures with NURBS
• Learn to use Trax, animation layers, forward and inverse kinematics, and Paint Effects
• Set cameras and lights, and create and apply shaders and textures
• Discover rendering techniques, particles, dynamics, Maya Embedded Language (MEL), and Autodesk Toxik

Learning Autodesk Maya 2009 | The Modeling & Animation Handbook

With this book, you will:

• Get hands-on instruction to production-quality modeling and animation using artwork from the animated short Theme Planet
• Model with polygons and NURBS
• Work with skeletons, joint orientation, and inverse kinematics
• Set up a leg, arm, and spine, and create constraints
• Skin your characters and work with blend shapes
• Create a run cycle and keyframed animation and animate a complete scene

Learning Autodesk Maya 2009 | The Special Effects Handbook

With this book, you will:

• Get step-by-step lessons on the final stages of production using artwork from the animated short Theme Planet
• Understand shading, lighting, shadows, and cameras
• Learn rendering with mental ray, hardware, and vector renderers
• Work with caustics, Global Illumination, Final Gathering, and HDRI
• Work with rigid body and particle dynamics and MEL for particle expressions
• Understand particle instancing
• Learn about fluids, fluid collisions, and open water effects

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Maya is the industry-leading 3D animation and effects software used in movies, special effects, games, cartoons, short films, commercials, etc. Complex and difficult to learn, the new Maya 2010 features updates to modeling, animation, dynamics, and rendering modules. This invaluable book offers hands-on introduction to the tools and techniques of this fascinating software.

This extraordinary, full-color book presents you with clear step-by-step instructions to projects that enhance your understanding of the modeling and animation stages of production using files from the Yash Raj Films and Walt Disney Pictures feature film Roadside Romeo. You’ll learn how to build models with a variety of surface types and then make them move with a range of animation techniques. Instructor-led tutorials are featured on the DVD that will help you grasp best practices from the beginning with the intent of avoiding unnecessary challenges further along in the process.

• Serves as the next step after you have gained a solid understanding of Maya and you’re ready for 3D modeling and animation
• Explains polygon and NURBS basics and walks you through modeling a body and head
• Demonstrates how to work with inverse kinematics, blend shapes, and apply and animate constraints
• Addresses animating a complete scene, working with lip synching, and using full body IK
• DVD includes clips from Roadside Romeo, artist interviews, and instructor-led videos

This book-and-DVD combo is essential for 3D modeling and animation....

Develop out of this world modeling and animation skills with Learning Autodesk Maya 2008 I The Modeling & Animation Handbook. Follow clear, step-by-step tutorials to understand the modeling and animation stages of production using artwork from the LAIKA short film Moongirl. Learn to build models with a variety of surface types and then make them move with a wide range of animation techniques directly from the makers of Autodesk Maya. You'll learn to make sound decisions from the beginning, to save yourself unnecessary challenges further down the pipeline. You'll learn how to model with polygons, NURBS and Subdivision Surfaces; understand skeletons and joint orientation; work with inverse kinematics, skin your characters; animate a complete scene including props, constraints, and characters; and much more. The bonus DVD includes free models from Turbo Squid, Autodesk Maya reference guides, and scene files to help you breathe life into your creations....

Learning Autodesk Maya: Foundation is a full-color book that offers students a hands-on approach for learning how to use Maya, the industry-leading 3D animation and effects software. You will work with real movie footage, interactive tutorials and step-by-step lessons to understand the basics of modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. The companion DVD, which includes instructor-led tutorial videos and other resources for extended learning, will further reinforce the topics covered in the book so that you can become better acquainted with the Maya User Interface....

Learning Autodesk Maya 2008 I Foundation is your key to unlocking the power of Autodesk Maya software, directly from the creators of one of the world's most powerful 3D animation and effects software products. Get hands-on experience with the innovative tools and powerful techniques available in Autodesk Maya 2008. You'll gain a sense of the entire production process as you work on creating and animating characters from Sony Pictures Animation's feature film, Surf's Up. You'll even learn about compositing your characters into alternate environments in a bonus chapter on Autodesk Combustion software. Explore the Maya user interface, create organic structures with NURBS, apply forward and inverse kinematics, deform surfaces, learn to use Trax non-linear animation, discover rendering techniques, and so much more with this easy to follow guide to Maya. Includes bonus DVD with scene files, instructor-led podcasts, and other reference guides to give you a solid foundation in the art of animating with Maya....

Learn how to produce desired design techniques with the how-to, detailed instructions in Learning Autodesk Maya The Special Effects Handbook (Official Autodesk Training Guide, includes DVD). This book uses actual production files from an animated short film in tutorials that will get you familiar with Maya’s tools, options and capabilities. Follow the clear, step-by-step instructions to understand the rendering and dynamic stages of productions. You can explore lighting, texturing and visual effects and become familiar with the latest features through the book’s new tutorials and art....

Create mind-blowing special effects skills with Learning Autodesk Maya 2008 I The Special Effects Handbook. This completely updated official Maya guide focuses on dynamics and rendering, with in-depth tutorials covering lighting, texturing, and soft body and hard body dynamics. This exceptional, full-color guide uses LAIKA's award-winning short film Moongirl to guide you through clear step-by-step projects using the newest version of Maya. Learn how to create materials and textures, set up lights and cameras, work with shadows and raytracing, control renders, understand rendering for special effects and compositing, explore hardware and vector rendering, create caustics and global illumination effects, and much more. Check out the companion DVD for instructor-led overviews, artist interviews and scene files to get your creative juices flowing and get you started developing amazing visual effects....