The Learning Maya 2009 Collection: Foundation, Modeling & Animation, and Special Effects

Your one-stop resource for getting up to speed on Autodesk Maya 2009The 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 | FoundationWith this book, you will Get a project-based introduction to Maya 2009 with artwork from the feature film DelgoExplore the Maya user interface and 3D workspaceBuild a character with polygons and create organic structures with NURBSLearn to use Trax, animation layers, forward and inverse kinematics, and Paint EffectsSet cameras and lights, and create and apply shaders and texturesDiscover rendering techniques, particles, dynamics, Maya Embedded Language (MEL) , and Autodesk ToxikLearning Autodesk Maya 2009 | The Modeling & Animation HandbookWith this book, you will: Get hands-on instruction to production-quality modeling and animation using artwork from the animated short Theme PlanetModel with polygons and NURBSWork with skeletons, joint orientation, and inverse kinematicsSet up a leg, arm, and spine, and create constraintsSkin your characters and work with blend shapesCreate a run cycle and keyframed animation and animate a complete sceneLearning Autodesk Maya 2009 | The Special Effects HandbookWith this book, you will: Get step-by-step lessons on the final stages of production using artwork from the animated short Theme PlanetUnderstand shading, lighting, shadows, and camerasLearn rendering with mental ray, hardware, and vector renderersWork with caustics, Global Illumination, Final Gathering, and HDRIWork with rigid body and particle dynamics and MEL for particle expressionsUnderstand particle instancingLearn about fluids, fluid collisions, and open water effects