The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects

Reading this before getting immersed in a specific software package will give the reader much deeper insight and understanding of whats going on under the hood of any 3D tool set. This book is plain and simple, the best resource I have found to teach beginning students the overall concepts of 3D and the history behind them. I purchased the first edition years ago when I began my journey as an FX artist and it has served me many times beyond its cover price. Remember, this is not a software manual. If you are looking for application specific info look to the myriad of specialized titles. However, f you're interested in learning how CG works as a concept, an art form, a craft and as an industry this book is aces. It starts with 3D basics and history, moves though all the major concepts used in modern CG and Effects. Deeply complex and abstract concepts, paradigms and theory are boiled down and made simple and relevant with friendly illustrations and real world examples from productions you'll recognize from movies, games and pop culture.

This is an excellent book if you want a very thorough explanatory treatment of the subject of 3D computer graphics and animation ... very in-depth, very appropriate for use as a college textbook ... so that by the time you are finished with it (many months from now) you'll really understand how things "fit." Take your time and read slowly and carefully. The book's editorial design is conducive to that.I find that "getting the big picture" in any technical subject is the most difficult task. Existing practitioners usually know it so well they can't explain it. This author can. As you can see on his bio (www.about3d.com), he's got the credits. I selected the book primarily for this purpose, and certainly got what I was expecting.The book assembly style gets a little TEDIOUS with loads of BOLD-FACE type on many pages (every KEY PHRASE is BOLD, which kinda gets in the way) but that's an editorial quibble.I hope that the next edition will include Ambient Occlusion, and also a greater mention of the existence of (free!) open-source products like Blender, (www.blender3d.org) which do implement even the advanced concepts discussed in the book and are quite readily available to the general public.

I think that this book gives an excellent and in depth review of the CG Animation World. Yes, two chapters are about the history of CG: they will tell you where you come from and make you understand better where you are now. I don't know who this hwilliamsx comes from, and what he is doing in VA, I'm an Animation Supervisor working at Imageworks for the past seven years and I am a Faculty Member at Calarts for three, my personal opinion is that this book is a must have.Third Edition speak by itself. Good work Isaac.

I think that this book gives an excellent and in depth review of the CG Animation World. Yes, two chapters are about the history of CG: they will tell you where you come from and make you understand better where you are now. I don't know who this hwilliamsx comes from, and what he is doing in VA, I'm an Animation Supervisor working at Imageworks for the past seven years and I am a Faculty Member at Calarts for three, my personal opinion is that this book is a must have.Third Edition speak by itself. Good work Isaac.

I have had the privilege of watching Issac speak and teach on his subject and I highly recommend this classic book. It is a soup to nuts, up-to-the-minute overview of 3D and Effects by one of the industry's most knowledgeable pros. He has updated the chapter on digital production with multiple production pipelines and has some really excellent advice about preparing demo reels. Issac is a fine teacher as well as a compelling writer. Highly recommended.Ed HooksActing for Animators