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Computer Animation Complete

All-in-One: Learn Motion Capture, Characteristic, Point-Based, and Maya Winning Techniques

  • 1st Edition - September 2, 2009
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Rick Parent, David Gould, Markus Gross, Hanspeter Pfister, Jason Sharpe, Chris Kazmier, F. Kenton Musgrave, Mark V. Pauly, Ken Perlin, Mark R. Wilkins, Nicholas Woolridge, Steve Worley, Charles John Lumsden, David S. Ebert, Darwyn Peachey
  • Language: English

A compilation of key chapters from the top MK computer animation books available today - in the areas of motion capture, facial features, solid spaces, fluids, gases, biology, po… Read more

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Description

A compilation of key chapters from the top MK computer animation books available today - in the areas of motion capture, facial features, solid spaces, fluids, gases, biology, point-based graphics, and Maya. The chapters provide CG Animators with an excellent sampling of essential techniques that every 3D artist needs to create stunning and versatile images. Animators will be able to master myriad modeling, rendering, and texturing procedures with advice from MK's best and brightest authors.

Divided into five parts (Introduction to Computer Animation and Technical Background, Motion Capture Techniques, Animating Substances, Alternate Methods, and Animating with MEL for MAYA), each one focusing on specific substances, tools, topics, and languages, this is a MUST-HAVE book for artists interested in proficiency with the top technology available today! Whether you're a programmer developing new animation functionality or an animator trying to get the most out of your current animation software, Computer Animation Complete: will help you work more efficiently and achieve better results. For programmers, this book provides a solid theoretical orientation and extensive practical instruction information you can put to work in any development or customization project. For animators, it provides crystal-clear guidance on determining which of your concepts can be realized using commercially available products, which demand custom programming, and what development strategies are likely to bring you the greatest success.

Key features

  • Expert instruction from a variety of pace-setting computer graphics researchers.
  • Provides in-depth coverage of established and emerging animation algorithms.
  • For readers who lack a strong scientific background, introduces the necessary concepts from mathematics, biology, and physics.
  • A variety of individual languages and substances are addressed, but addressed separately - enhancing your grasp of the field as a whole while providing you with the ability to identify and implement solutions by category.

Readership

This book is intended primarily for Computer graphic (CG) artists including animators, graphics designers and programmers, game developers, and technical directors as well as professionals in digital design and visualization, and visual effects artists in the entertainment industry, including interactive gaming and production houses (e.g., computer graphics companies such as Pixar, PDI, Dreamworks).

Table of contents

Part I: Introduction to Computer Animation

1. Introduction

2. Technical Background

Part II: Motion Capture Techniques

3. Motion Capture Primer

4. The Motion Data

5. Setting Up Your Character

Part III: Animating Substances

6. Animating Facial Features

7. Animating Solid Spaces

8. Animating Fluids and Gases

9. Animating Biology

Part IV: Other Methods

10. Point-Based Animation

11. X3D Event Animation and Interpolation

Part V: Animating with MEL for MAYA

12. Maya Under the Hood

13. MEL Animation

14. The Basics of MEL Commands

15. Examples Using MEL with Solid Body Dynamics

16. Examples Using MEL in Character Rigging

Review quotes

"Computer Animation Complete sets the stage with a well written introduction. In this section, the first chapter discusses some of the key events in the history of animation to introduce the principles of animation and film making. This chapter is written at a non-technical level and makes very interesting reading for anyone interested in animation. The target audience, however, is experienced animators. This book does not disappoint."—School Tech Talk Blog and MacDirectory.com

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: September 2, 2009
  • Language: English

About the author

RP

Rick Parent

Rick Parent is a Professor Emeritus in the Computer Science and Engineering Department of Ohio State University (OSU). As a graduate student, Rick worked at the Computer Graphics Research Group (CGRG) at OSU under the direction of Charles Csuri. In 1977, he received his Ph.D. from the Computer and Information Science (CIS) Department, majoring in Artificial Intelligence. For the next three years, he worked at CGRG first as a Research Associate, and then as Associate Director. In 1980 he co-founded and was President of The Computer Animation Company. In 1985, he joined the faculty of the CIS Department (now the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, or CSE) at Ohio State. Rick's research interests include various aspects of computer animation with special focus on animation of the human figure.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor Emeritus, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University