This Maya modeling book is unique in its approach to modeling a high-resolution character model. Where other books take a grueling approach that often leaves readers confused, Maya 8 Character Modeling breaks down the character into an easy-to-follow formula. Readers learn that modeling a character can be accomplished without the fear of being in over their heads. In addition, the author takes a light-hearted approach to the subject matter, making the learning process easier to digest. This allows the reader to look at the modeling process as an enjoyable undertaking as opposed to dealing with the steep learning curve of other modeling books.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
Great Book, October 4, 2008
By
Mark-O (Dunedin, Florida)
This is a great book to learn character modeling with. Easy to follow and contains a wealth of information.
GREAT BOOK, August 5, 2008
By
Miquiztli (California, USA)
It's like the author is talking to you and he doesn't sound like a tech freak. I'm not a professional I am a beginning beginner and I understand what is being explained. If you are a beginner I recommend this book. Even if you are running a different version of Maya this book is great.
2 out of 5 Stars, May 6, 2007
By
G. TurnerI'm ammending the rating of 3 out of 5 to 2 out of 5. As I'm continuing with chapter 13 I am finding it rife with bad instructions. When you are trying to learn something as hard as rigging this is the worst thing you can do.
On pages 402-403 the author is saying to lay out your leg joints in the front view. Then on page 406 he's saying to select the two knee joints and rotate them on the Z axis. This makes it swing in an unnatural left to right. If the author had said to layout the joints in the SIDE view then the Z axis would swing like a knee should.
The author tells you to create your spine joints. Then after you've done that select the pelvis joint and Freeze Transformations. This should zero out all the translate values to make it easy to get back to the default position. This does not zero out the translate values, only the rotate & scale.
Also on page 401, instruction 8 tells you to parent neck_2 to the jaw joint. There is no "neck_2" that is the "head" joint you're instructed to create in step 6. SOMEONE from the publisher should check these things before they publish.
Maya is hard enought to learn by itself. Trying to weed through bad instructions make it twice as hard to learn. I can not stand that I paid $45 for a book that is constantly telling me to do the wrong thing.
I'm coming from Maya 4.5 to 8.5. Yes the modeling/sculpting part of the book has been informative. You should NOT use this book if you're learning to rig. The title says what it is good at, Modeling. Get another book for rigging.
Maya 8 Character Modeling - Great Investment, May 6, 2007
By
La'Dene BeanAwesome investment for anyone serious about learning how to model a human figure. Packed full of information and step by step how to. There are a few points where you have to figure it out, but once past these, smooth sailing.
The CD would have been much better if it had sound with. The book and the CD do not fully match. When in doubt, follow the book.
I'd purchase again from this author.
Maya 8 Character Modelling Review, February 15, 2007
By
Graeme Moloney (Melbourne Australia)
This book is written in a way that is easy to understand. Although I have not completed all the chapters,I have encounted only minor problems which took a little time to sort out. It was my misunderstanding rather than the book being poorly written. It is the most informative book on character modelling I've come across. I'm only new to modelling but I would recommend this book to anyone.
One disappointment was the CD that comes with the book. No audio. It would be nice to have the option to follow the CD and have a step by step explanation so the Cd could be run side by side with the application without having the need to refer to the book constantly.
