For any up-and-coming animator searching for ways to create flying logos or make animated titles look more professional and polished, your search is over. 3D Studio Max 3 Media Animation is an outstanding book for mid-level artists using Kinetix's powerful animation software for motion graphics and animated logos. (Many of the basic principles and techniques can be applied to other software packages as well.)

Full of step-by-step tutorials from examples that are glitzy, cutting-edge, and totally professional, this book describes in detail approaches to animated media logos from start to finish. Projects range from a sample storyboard describing the action, to importing files from other programs to use as templates for models, all the way through final lighting and rendering.

The last section, called "Real World Case Studies," breaks down and analyzes three animated logo openings for NBC's Weekend Magazine, Upfront Tonight, and NBC News: Decision 98. The CD-ROM includes Max project files and source material from these projects.

Although the book focuses on animated logos and opening titles, there is plenty here to learn from. Novices beware--some knowledge of 3D Studio Max is assumed. However, if you feel that your work has reached a plateau or that you've fallen into a rut of mediocre work, 3D Studio Max 3 Media Animation is the ideal guide to elevate your work to the next level. --Mike Caputo

From Library Journal
3D Studio MAX is very expensive, powerful software used for film and TV special effects and interactive game design. Those just learning or upgading to 3D Studio MAX 3 should start with Peterson's book, which outlines MAX design concepts and then provides an extended discussion of nurbs, patches, composition, and basic animation techniques. It includes illustrated examples, hands-on exercises, and helpful notes and tips. Designers with more experience will want animator Chismar's manual. He covers filmstrips, logos, motion capture, texture mapping, lens flares, and a variety of real-world case studies. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
If you are creating logos and broadcast animations--the better part of the MAX population--you don't need books telling you how to make watered down versions of cinematic special effects. Instead, you need a book that focuses on how to integrate your ideas and generate compelling, artistic animations with 3D Studio MAX. Media Animation reveals secrets that were developed by long hours of head scratching and fine-tuning. They are simple and can be used in many different aspects of MAX animation.

From the Back Cover
If you are creating logos and broadcast animations--the better part of the MAX population--you don't need books telling you how to make watered down versions of cinematic special effects. Instead, you need a book that focuses on how to integrate your ideas and generate compelling, artistic animations with 3D Studio MAX. Media Animation reveals secrets that were developed by long hours of head scratching and fine-tuning. They are simple and can be used in many different aspects of MAX animation.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

If you are creating logos and broadcast animations--the better part of the MAX population--you don't need books telling you how to make watered down versions of cinematic special effects. Instead, you need a book that focuses on how to integrate your ideas and generate compelling, artistic animations with 3D Studio MAX. Media Animation reveals secrets that were developed by long hours of head scratching and fine-tuning. They are simple and can be used in many different aspects of MAX animation. -Emmy Award-winning author, John Chismar reveals his secrets for creating the most compelling, artistic, and useful MAX animations. Directly addresses the needs of most MAX artists--using MAX to create media animation. The first resource to help you as a MAX animators do your job CD-ROM contains all necessary files to follow along with the tutorials, including images, textures, models and sample animations.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal