Introducing Maya 8 - Dariush Derakhshani

The Academy Award® winning Maya® 3D animation and effects software is the first choice of film and video artists, game developers, and 3D design professionals. Discover how to build, render, and animate your own digital models and scenes, and begin to develop professional–level Maya skills with
Introducing Maya 8: 3D for Beginners .

The latest edition of this popular bestseller is the ideal initiation to 3D and Maya. Starting with the basics, it builds from the ground up, combining straightforward text with practical examples that make it fun and easy to learn Maya's core features while introducing new Maya 8 elements such as improved polygon tools and enhanced rendering with mental ray. Clear–cut, engaging lessons let you experiment using the wealth of files provided on the CD. You'll also find an abundance of instructional and inspirational Maya creations in the full–color insert.

The enclosed CD features images, movies, and scene files that let you view material from the book right on your own computer. Tackle all–new rendering and dynamics tutorials and much more. The CD includes Maya Personal Learning Edition software.

Enter a New Dimension

• Get a solid grasp of core 3D and Computer Graphics concepts


• Learn to navigate the Maya 8 interface


• Experiment with modeling by creating a hand, an axe, and a locomotive


• Explore the basics of NURBS, polygons, and subdivision surfaces


• Discover the nuances of shading and texturing


• Rig a locomotive model for automated animation


• Create more natural lighting with mental ray soft shadow maps


• Use Maya's Render Layers and an Ambient Occlusion pass for greater reality

Learn how to create an IK walk cycle.