Digital Character Animation 2, Volume I : Essential Techniques

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Summary: A step-by-step, full color guide
Review: Digital Character Animation 2, Volume I: Essential Techniques provides the reader with all of the necessary information to effectively create convincing computer-generated characters in 3D. George Maestri step-by-step, full color guide applies conventional character animation techniques such as walk cycles and lip sync to computer animation, along with tips for giving your characters the illusion of life. Volume I is the first of two volumes and is geared to more entry level animators, teaching the basics. The cross-platform CD-ROM includes multiple walk cycles on various 3D programs; lip sync examples; texture maps; and 3D models from REM Infografica. 280pp.

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Summary: George Maestri wirtes a winner
Review: George Maestri has an excellent book here. Going in depth about character animation using different model types widdens the attended audiance. While not teaching specific software package techniques, he goes in depth over the differences between moddeling in NURBS and traditional MESH objects. The book can use a little more over animation techniques such as convincing movements and such, but overall this is a must for any character animators library.

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Summary: Fantastic Book filled with good tutorials and examples.
Review: George Maestri know's how to make a good tutorial book. He has nice clean pictures and doesn't go beyond what the reader may not know. I bought the first book, which i used constantly, and the new edition builds on the old one and makes it better. Highly recommended for those looking at techniques in computer animation. Its even got facial expressions =)

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book filled with good tutorials and examples.
Review: George Maestri know's how to make a good tutorial book. He has nice clean pictures and doesn't go beyond what the reader may not know. I bought the first book, which i used constantly, and the new edition builds on the old one and makes it better. Highly recommended for those looking at techniques in computer animation. Its even got facial expressions =)

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Summary: A Very good book for beginners
Review: I just got this book in the mail about 2 weeks ago. I've already read all of it and am trying out the ideas and techniques. It's an excellent book if you're looking to learn how to create characters with either Polygons, Splines, or Nurbs. It has many tips and suggestions which makes modeling easier. This book also does a good job explaining how to animate complex motions like walking or running, paying attention to layout and the character's "feeling" -- IE, body language. In short, it's a darn good book if you're looking to get your feet wet in Character Animation.

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Summary: An ideal instruction and reference guide for CGI users
Review: In Digital Character Animation 2, George Maestri covers the essential techniques required for the creation of a professional-quality, computer-generated character in either 2D or 3D. All aspects are covered including walk cycles and lip synch. A non-software specific text, Digital Character Animation 2 provides invaluable examples of what can be accomplished in a variety of software animation programs, and includes an informative and wide ranging discussion of tools and techniques common to all the major animation programs. Digital Character Animation 2 is an ideal instruction and reference guide for anyone using computer generated images for television, advertising, films, multimedia, or gaming projects.

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Summary: Great, but with lots of omissions.
Review: Okay maybe I would give this book a 3.5, because of the great illustrations of everything going on, but there's a big problem with this title and the stuff that you get. The book is called Digital Character Animation 2, and the keyword there is ANIMATION, which the book lacked extremely. I might add more examples of animation, because 3 pages of beginner stuff isn't going to help a more experienced user. This book is great for beginners, and will teach you a whole ton of new stuff and open your eyes to the fabulous world of 3d. But beware professionals.

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Summary: good book to add quality to your characters
Review: Overall, i felt this book was good. If you are looking for a book that tells you which buttons and numbers to type to create a character, this book WONT help. This book is not specific to a type of program (the author wants to make money, not have an outdated book in a year). This can be a good and bad thing. The book does share tequniques for creating characters, but it is mostly helpful in adding real personality to your characters. It gives you tips on creating higher quality animations of your character.

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Summary: A wonderful book!
Review: The author does a great job of explaining the techniques involved in creating 3D character animation that can be applied in most software packages. I especially enjoyed his step-by-step techniques presented in an application-independant way--very clever! Buy this book.

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Summary: Essential reading
Review: The book focuses on character modelling (from the basics of modelling to the setup of the skeleton system) and takes time to explore the concepts of timing, anticipation.

It is written in a software independent way and adds a lot of pictures. You will need to have a decent understanding of your own software of choice, but that's what manuals are for...

It was my first real course on character modelling and I learned a lot about it. Not for the real pro's but for anyone who likes to get started or get past the intermediate level.