Mastering 3D Animation

by Peter Ratner

Book Overview

This text includes illustrations and step-by-step instructions to show animators at all levels how to create professional, studio quality 3D models and animations. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581153457
• ISBN13: 9781581153453
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Allworth Press
• Length: 354 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.0" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

"Mastering 3D Animation" suitable as collegiate text

Peter J. Ratner's second authoring effort, Mastering 3D Animation, is a 333-page softcover text that is a comprehensive, detailed and practical tutorial guide addressing nearly every aspect and segment of the 3D graphics genre. The book's 14 chapters-and accompanying follow-along CD for PC and Mac-speak to modeling (beginning and advanced), animation, special effects, lighting, surfacing techniques, facial animation, elements of action, figure movements and composition and cinematography. It's an exceptionally capable complement to Ratner's first book, 3-D Human Modeling and Animation. (Ratner currently is updating the latter text with a wholesale rewrite.)Make no mistake: This is no cursory guide to constructing simple geometry, slapping on some stock textures, animating basic movements along spline paths and rendering to AVI while you're sipping on a latte, watching the Discovery Channel. A full-time professor in the 3D Computer Animation department of James Madison University and the program's founder, Ratner relies on the broad and substantial digital and conventional art experience that has rewarded him with artistic entries in more than 80 national and international juried exhibitions. Ratner is well-versed in most aspects of 3D art creation, choreography and cinematography. The results of his industry experience are a splendid collection of detailed and refined insights and experiences assimilated into a thorough tutorial guide. I have no doubt-as many experts agree-that Mastering 3D Animation is equipped to serve as a collegiate-level textbook for 3D computer animation curricula.Spanning the many processes related to generating 3D digital art, Ratner illustrates his critical techniques with 658 black-and-white line drawings and grayscale screen captures. The images vary from basic and sketchy but illustrative black-only perspectives, steps and graphs to grayscale representations depicting character renderings, particle systems, height fields, geometric displacements, facial close-ups, rendered environments and more. Of particular interest to those having cinematography or traditional art backgrounds are the commentary, instructions and grayscale reproductions of painted and sketched art dating back multiple centuries.Those attending to a more technical emphasis and interest are accommodated in every respect, however-minus superficial references to hardware specifications. Early on, Ratner clarifies his intentions in composing this text: "[The book's] purpose is not to create button pushers who can boast about megahertz, abundant RAM, big monitors and software with all kinds of bells and whistles. It is hoped that aspiring 3D artists will learn some valuable lessons from the great art geniuses that have preceded them." (Foreward/vii) Yes, Ratner does wane philosophical, at times, but his contemplative tendencies bring a refreshing and purist perspective to a field frequently inundated by overly technical meanderings and functionally pointl

This book is definitely one of the better ones!

I liked reading through "Mastering 3D Animation" very much. In the first few sections the author Peter Ratner describes the basic need to know stuff of 3D computer graphics in an easy to understand way. Even though I knew most of it already I found parts of it quite interesting. Starting with the section about special effects it becomes helpful even for advanced users. I especially liked the advanced modeling and character modeling part. There are examples and howtos on modeling, animating, shading and lightning for the reader to explore. As an autodidact I buy nearly every 3d book I can lay my hands on and my collection has grown noticeably. This book is definitely one of the better ones!Jörg Flügge, Munich, Germany 02/25/2001

Very informative and, of course, exciting

I purchased "Mastering 3D Animation" a few days ago. Though I have read only the first chapter, and browsed around a lot, I have begun to get a feel for what the high-end programs can do. As a beginner, I'd say it doesn't matter a whole lot whether the reader has the programs the book refers to: exposure to the techniques is still good mental preparation for "the day when." Even those of us who still use applications of the "prosumer" variety can pick up valuable pointers about lighting, texture mapping, inverse kinematics and composition. In addition, the book gives a useful grounding in the technical terms employed in professional 3d work. "Peter Lucia -- student"

A definite must have for learning 3D animation

Peter Ratner has done an excellent job in creating a book understandable to people of all ages and levels which will allow them to experience the creation of 3D animation. The easy to follow book is filled with illustrations, examples, and multiple options of dimensional objects. It is a definite must have for those interested in learning 3D animation and design.

...chock full of clever methods and techniques...

Mastering 3D Animation is a wonderful training manual for beginners and advanced animators alike. It is chock full of clever methods and techniques for modelling with polygons and nurbs, as well as creating atmospheric FX, effective lighting, efficient character modeling, setup and animating. Most lessons are software independent and are conceptually generic enough to be helpful to any practitioner using any software. My compliments to Peter Ratner for conveying many complicated techniques in an understandable way.Franklin Londin CG Supervisor Digital Domain