3-D Human Modeling and Animation, 2nd Edition FROM THE PUBLISHER
All the tools and know-how to create digital characters that can move, express emotions, and talk
3-D Human Modeling and Animation demonstrates how you can use your artistic skills in figure drawing, painting, and sculpture to create animated human figures using the latest computer technology. This easy-to-follow book guides you through all the necessary steps to create and animate digital humans. Students and professional 3-D artists will find this book to be an invaluable resource.
This Second Edition combines detailed, practical information about creating and animating 3-D human models. More than 400 images, interactive files, and exciting animations included on the CD-ROM detail the modeling and animation processes for both male and female figures. Chapter objectives and exercises are tied to the CD-ROM, which also provides color example images, sample models, modeling templates, textures, lesson plans, and relevant animation movies that allow you to start modeling and animating right away!
FROM THE CRITICS
Computer Arts Special
With the advent of apps such as Poser, creating 3D human figures has been greatly automated. In this detailed course you're shown how the human form can be constructed from scratch with splines and NURBS, to produce a believable model that will animate with realism.
Profusely illustrated, each element of the figure is covered in detail. Not intended to be program specific, users of LightWave 3D though, will find that many of the techniques, and much of the advice, is relevant to their software.
Beginning with a discussion of the creation of modeling primitives, the supporting tutorials on spline and NURB construction are concise and lead to more detailed information on the use of texture mapping. Concluding with two chapters on preparing your figure for animation, and how the human figure behaves when in motion, this book is thorough, comprehensive, and flexible.
Overall, this is an excellent guide to creating the human form with your favorite 3D modelling package; especially when you need more control over the modeling structure as detailed advice is given on Metaball, polygonal, lattice deformations, as well as seamless spline based modeling.
Library Journal
This how-to art book covers the basics and theory of 3-D modeling and animation. It is not a book about using any particular application. Ratner explains general design approaches for complete figure building, from seamless models and body construction to preparation for animation and creating human motion. Liberal graphics include 40 full-color illustrations of models. This book will have a wide audience and a long shelf life; a first choice along with Callihan.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
3-D Human Modeling and Animation fills a tremendous void that has become
even more evident with the
successful use of 3-D in movies like Disney's Toy Story. While there has been
much written about
drawing the human form in relation to art, commercial design, and 2-D
cartooning, the subject of 3-D
modeling and animation of the human form has been neglected at the same time
that the use of 3-D tools
has been exploding. It is my judgment that [this] book will become the
reference that professional and
student artists and animators turn to in order to master one of the most
challenging yet exciting subjects to
model and animate the human form. — (Nick Pavlovic, CEO, Visual Information Development, Inc., Monrovia, CA)
ACCREDITATION
PETER RATNER is an associate professor of art and founder of the Computer Arts and Animation program at James Madison University. He operates his own multimedia freelance business, and his computer work and oil paintings have been exhibited in over 85 national and international shows.
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