Inside Maya 5 [With CDROM]

Wow. After buying and reading several chapters of this book, I must say that it is has taught me alot of really good in-depth stuff so far, and that I whole-heartedly disagree with the previous post. It is true that this book is not a software manual... but anyone who needs a software manual should read the docs that ship with maya, and save your money for god sake!This book seems to be geared specifically toward character work, but so far has been filled with tons of production "nuggetts" that I have immediately been able to use in the real world while currently working on a character project in Maya. I particularly enjoyed the Rigging chapter (nice!), Dynamics chapter, and the Advanced Connections chapter. All in all, having done professional film and commercial work already in Maya myself, I would recommend this book to anyone that isnt looking for a software manual, but instead is looking to learn the stuff that the manuals dont teach you, and that you normally end up learning the hard way!

As the artist who created the cover for this book, I was sent a preview copy, so I have had a chance to read it cover to cover. I have been working with Maya since the first beta (and named a "Maya Master" by Alias at this years Siggraph) and thought that I had a pretty good grasp on what this program can do and how to go about doing it. I was wrong. There were many times while reading this title that I said, "Wow, I didn't know you could do it that way", or "Maya can do that?!"I wish that I had this book when I was first attempting to do my short films, it would have saved me a lot of time. It covers everything that you would need to know in order to successfully bring your ideas to reality. This book is definitely not for beginners, it is for the artist that is looking for the knowledge that will get them to that next level....