Inspired 3D Character Animation

Rating:
Summary: Great Reference for character animation in 3D
Review: I bought both Inspired 3D Character Setup and 3D Character Animation books 2 years ago now, and I still refer to them on a regular basis - to the point that they are literally falling apart. I am doing post-graduate studies in 3D animation and specifically I am focusing on traditional 2D skills and how they can be utilised and/or adapted in the 3D workspace. For me, this book has been an invaluable source of reference, and it reminds me that I really must keep an open mind about animation production methods and procedures and encourage and accept helpful criticism from my peers - otherwise you get stuck in your ways and don't grow. I especially enjoy the interviews, because I really like to hear first-hand industry experience from experts, but I must say that ALL of the content has been relevant and helpful to me.
One criticism that I have read about the inspired series is that the pages are too wide, but I actually like them like this because the book will stay open on the desk so that you don't have to hold the pages down with something.
Yes, I think I would prefer that a CD was provided with the book, and yes, I think it was a bit expensive, but I definitely got plenty of practical, helpful advice from it - much more than many other books which are supposedly addressing 3D character animation.


Rating:
Summary: generalist book
Review: I dont know, it had a lot of inserts by 'industry pros', but it is more of the same info everyone else writes. Good for the Mom or Dad of someone entering the field, but not much help to an actual artist. The book avoids actual tutorials and rewrites the basics from the software manual. However, it does put information into a smaller condense nugget than the software manual . . . but manuals are free with the software.

Rating:
Summary: Not sure what the last couple of reviewers are talking about
Review: I found that for the first time, a character animation book actually talks about character animation and NOT what is simply in the manuals. It's about time that someone talked about fundamentals AND HOW THEY ARE APPLIED IN 3D COMPUTER ANIMATION. Anyone can read a manual and make objects move but making them live is another thing entirely. Take it from someone who has had to review endless reels filled with junk, no timing, no command of overlap, anticipation or holds. Just by learning AND IMPLEMENTING the information in this book, you can put yourself ahead of 90% of all applicants for character animation jobs. Tips on approach, especially by Sean Mullen and Richie Baneham, are priceless. I recommend reading this title in all rejection letters we send out.

Rating:
Summary: FINALLY an animation book by ACTUAL INDUSTRY PRO'S
Review: If you're like me and you've read the countless number of animation books, you know how 90% of the information is useless.
This book not only shows you the importance of animation fundamentals but HOW TO ACTUALLY APPLY THEM in your own work. In addition to that it is actually written by someone who has worked in some of the biggest studios in the undustry. This book is alone worth the price for the interviews with industry heavyweights THAT ARE ACTUALLY WORKING IN ANIMATION. If you wanted to get into animation, wouldn't you want advice from some of the most successful supervisors, leads and animators at the same studios you are trying to get a job with? This book has that advice.

Rating:
Summary: Too pricy for the information
Review: This book is definitely got a few good articles, but the price makes it absolutely overrated and not worth.

Rating:
Summary: A few tips that are ok but overall worse 3d book i've read
Review: this book is overrated. just read the manual that comes with your software. it does not share anything new even though the writers are 'in the industry!!!'.

Rating:
Summary: lame
Review: this book is overrated. just read the manual that comes with your software. it does not share anything new even though the writers are 'in the industry!!!'.

Rating:
Summary: A few tips that are ok but overall worse 3d book i've read
Review: This is probably the worse 3d book i've ever read. It tries to meld in traditional 2d animation and 3d together but it's attempt fails. The author admits to not really relating figure drawing to his line of work while all the interviews with the animators swear by it. Gesture drawing the figure is the primary fundamentals of animation according to the best animation schools, best 3d studios, and best animators in the industry. I do however respect the artist for being a stop motion animator. Also the tutorials are too concise. If you're not too familiar with the Maya interface and langauge then you'll be very frustrated. The interviews are so lame where the author leads into Q&A and answering his own questions and fulfilling his own answers.

I'm glad i checked mine out at the library. Save your money and look for a Maya book with better reviews.

Rating:
Summary: generalist book
Review: well, i was hesitant to spend [this much] for a book with no cd(there are model files ,mel scripts, and movies on the series website now), but this is the best animation book i have bought yet. trust me, i have them all.....general animation, 2d animation, software specific(even for programs i don't know or use, just hoping to get some useful info), and anything else i can get my hands on. this book has it all! the interviews are great(hear about the techniques used by top animators in top studios) and very inspiring(...hey, they even named the series that). you get info on the most common methods/techniques of animating and how to go about finding what works best for you, and the best part is that it doesn't matter what software you use....the techniques work in them all. there is a chapter on facial animation from keith lango(lead animator at Big Idea...you know Vegietales). I had read the tutorials on lipsynch from his website and figured this would be the same info, but there are some more jewels of info in there! I am clearing out the useless titles on my bookshelf to make room for this entire series!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Finally....the kind of book i have been looking for!!!!!!
Review: well, i was hesitant to spend [this much] for a book with no cd(there are model files ,mel scripts, and movies on the series website now), but this is the best animation book i have bought yet. trust me, i have them all.....general animation, 2d animation, software specific(even for programs i don't know or use, just hoping to get some useful info), and anything else i can get my hands on. this book has it all! the interviews are great(hear about the techniques used by top animators in top studios) and very inspiring(...hey, they even named the series that). you get info on the most common methods/techniques of animating and how to go about finding what works best for you, and the best part is that it doesn't matter what software you use....the techniques work in them all. there is a chapter on facial animation from keith lango(lead animator at Big Idea...you know Vegietales). I had read the tutorials on lipsynch from his website and figured this would be the same info, but there are some more jewels of info in there! I am clearing out the useless titles on my bookshelf to make room for this entire series!!!!