Digital Character Animation 2, Volume I: Essential Techniques [With CDROM]

In Digital Character Animation 2, George Maestri covers the essential techniques required for the creation of a professional-quality, computer-generated character in either 2D or 3D. All aspects are covered including walk cycles and lip synch. A non-software specific text, Digital Character Animation 2 provides invaluable examples of what can be accomplished in a variety of software animation programs, and includes an informative and wide ranging discussion of tools and techniques common to all the major animation programs. Digital Character Animation 2 is an ideal instruction and reference guide for anyone using computer generated images for television, advertising, films, multimedia, or gaming projects.

I just got this book in the mail about 2 weeks ago. I've already read all of it and am trying out the ideas and techniques. It's an excellent book if you're looking to learn how to create characters with either Polygons, Splines, or Nurbs. It has many tips and suggestions which makes modeling easier. This book also does a good job explaining how to animate complex motions like walking or running, paying attention to layout and the character's "feeling" -- IE, body language. In short, it's a darn good book if you're looking to get your feet wet in Character Animation.

This is an EXCELLENT book for the beginner animator. In this respect, i give it 5 of 5 stars. For an already highly experienced animator, it is 1 of 5 stars. The concepts in this book assume you know little about modeling characters and animation. It is very well explained in clear english, with lots of excellent pictures to help explain it. However, each section doesn't go very deep into details, so it would be difficult to go on your own after reading this book. It does, however, give you a better understanding of all the things that need to come together in order to make a good animation. You also have to know your preferred animation package thoroughly in order to do the lessons in this book. The book shows no "steps" involved in any specific program, so you'd better know the program well! This book is better than the original Digital Character Animation book. It goes into more detail on complicated subjects, like different methods (pole orientations) of creating a NURBS head. There was valuable information in this book that i found nowhere else! I think the whole intention of the author was to write a "beginner" book. I read somewhere than Vol II (the current book is Vol I) will go into much greater detail, so this book may be good for advanced users. I can't wait for Vol II!

The author does a great job of explaining the techniques involved in creating 3D character animation that can be applied in most software packages. I especially enjoyed his step-by-step techniques presented in an application-independant way--very clever! Buy this book.

This is an excellent overview of the process of 3D computer animation. Lots of color illustrations and diagrams on every page make it easy reading and there are a wealth of useful tips to simplify the complex process of character animation. This book should be useful for beginners as well as experienced animators. The Bibliography even has a description of each book.