Learning Autodesk® Maya® 2008: Foundation (Official Autodesk Training Guide, includes DVD)

Learning Autodesk® Maya® 2008 / Foundation is your key to unlocking the power of Autodesk Maya software, directly from the creators of one of the world's most powerful 3D animation and effects softwa4re products. Get hands-on experience with the innovative tools and powerful techniques available in Autodesk Maya 2008 software through all new project-based lessons.

Learn key Maya tools and techniques while you model, animate, render and add dynamic effe4cts to your creations. Further, You'll gain a sense of the entire production process as you work on creating and animating characters from the Sony Pictures Animation feature film, Surf's Up. You'll even learn about compositing your characters into alternate environments in a bonus chapter on Autodesk® Combustion® software. Based entirely on easy-to-follow step-by-step lessons and including helpful demos on DVD, this book will help you develop your 3D skills.

With this book, you will:

• Explore the Maya user interface (UI)
• Learn to work in 3D space
• Build characters & props with polygons
• create organic structures with NURBS
• Set keyframes & motion paths
• Learn to use Trax non-linear animation
• Apply forward & inverse kinematics
• Deform surfaces
• Set cameras & lights
• Create & apply shaders and textures
• Discover rendering techniques
• Explore particles & dynamics
• Begin to use MEL (Maya Embedded Language)

Bonus features included on DVD

• Link to FREE trial version of autodesk® Combustion®
• Autodesk® Maya® Reference Guides
• Instructor-led podcasts presented by an Autodesk Certified Instructor

What you need to use this book

• Autodesk® Maya® Complete 2008 or Maya® Personal Learning Edition software
• DVD-ROM drive