Product Description

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!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #685773 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 316 pages

Review
"...a comprehensive look at the skills and techniques required to model and animate the human figure..." (Computer Arts, August 2003)

"...the slim stature of the tome deceptively hides a packed guide full of tips and hints that will interest anyone..." (Xtreme Magazine, 21 August 2003)

Review
"...a comprehensive look at the skills and techniques required to model and animate the human figure..." (Computer Arts, August 2003)

"...the slim stature of the tome deceptively hides a packed guide full of tips and hints that will interest anyone..." (Xtreme Magazine, 21 August 2003)

From the Back Cover
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!

Customer Reviews

Interesting, although quite complex........
This book relies heavily on creating models from spline cages / Nurbs which is fine if you've got a brain which can handle the spatial spline spaghetti of a 3d wireframe human.

Unfortunately my eyes/brain aren't quite there yet, which is where i feel a bit let down by this book. I managed to complete the opening 'beginners modelling' chapter with a certain amount of ease (even though spline modelling is not my preferred method of working) then, after reading some fascinating info on anatomy and muscle structure you are plunged headlong into creating your own 3d human! Thats quite a leap!

another thing that grates with me is the fact that the book is not platform specific(Although on the exellent CDrom there support files for all the major programs), the instructions given are very generic and you are expected to know a lot about your chosen modelling software and the vagaries of the differing tool names.

The book is very detailed including lots of info on modelling, UV mapping, rigging and animation - its just too advanced for me. hopefully my abilities will grow to get more use from this book but its difficult to recommend this book to a novice.

Mixed feelings
Although I haven't read this book front to back yet. I have been nosing through it ocassionaly and have been trying to pick up some of it's guidelines. The first impression I had from this volume was pretty poor.
The models that are featured in the animation section look dated. and in fact, the various artists that are in the gallery section (the color part of the book) often show better work than that of the author (peter ratner). also, the way he explains facial animation (for those of you experienced, he uses phonemes) is old and barely used in 3D animation, it's a way of dealing with facial animation in 2D. SO, for facial animation I would definatly not recommend this book.

The modelling tutorials seem quite nice, he starts off with simple models of a chair, spoon...and then a cow. But then you immediatly get thrown onto a realistic HUMAN FIGURE...which (believe me) is far more complex than a spoon :D.

I don't regret buying this book, but I do believe that this book isn't really a 'second edition' but just an upgrade from the first one. still with the same dated models. In fact, I strongly believe that the only updated part the gallery.

very nice book (4,5 stars)
Think this book is very good written. Specially useful for people who wanna fast introduction to 3D-modeling.

Everything starts from simple and goes to very difficult models. Author simply wanna give a reader the most simple explanation of everything.
How, what to use, how else you can do it...

Think very nice book... it a bit reminds a lessons in school. Every small part of book - is one lesson. But at the same time it's not boring lessons, so think this book have pretty much right for existing.