The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Imaging: Computer Animation and Imaging

by Kerlow, Isaac Victor

• ISBN13: 9780471360049
• ISBN10: 047136004X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-05-01
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Summary

The complete state-of-the-art guide to 3-D computer animation and imaging. Essential for visual effects production, computer games,online interactive multimedia, and more! Incorporating the latest computer animation techniques and technology, this outstanding guide offers clear step-by-step coverage of the entire process of creating a fully rendered 3-D computer still image or animation from modeling and rendering to animation and compositing. Designed to work with any computer platform, the book cuts through the technical jargon and features hundreds of inspiring color images and easy-to-understand instructive diagrams many of them new from visual effects in movies, animated films, TV shows, and computer games. This edition has been fully revised and updated, including new material on the latest character and facial animation techniques and an overview of the digital production process, plus information on subdivision surfaces, image-based rendering, motion capture, and other current techniques. Whether you are a student, an independent artist or creator, or a production company team member, you2ll find countless expert tips on how to improve the artistic and technical level of your 3-D computer animation. Non-platform specific 500 full-color images Newest computer techniques Practical, step-by-step approach Up-to-date guide to Internet resources.

Table of Contents

Preface	x
Acknowledgements	xiv
Section I. Introduction
Animation, Art, and Technology in Context	3	(38)
Summary	3	(1)
A Digital Creative Environment	3	(1)
The Development of the Technology	4	(9)
Visual Milestones	13	(15)
A Bag of New Magic Tricks	28	(5)
Timeline Charts	33	(8)
Key Terms	40	(1)
The Digital Production Process	41	(36)
Summary	41	(1)
Production Strategies	41	(5)
The Digital Computer Animation Studio	46	(3)
Creative and Production Teams	49	(2)
Overview of the Computer Animation Process	51	(10)
Ten Career Tips for Computer Animators and Digital Artists	61	(16)
Key Terms	74	(3)
Section II. Modeling
Basic Modeling Concepts	77	(24)
Summary	77	(1)
Space, Objects, and Structures	77	(3)
Building with Numbers	80	(2)
Points, Lines, and Surfaces	82	(1)
Moving Things Around	83	(6)
File Formats for Modeling	89	(4)
Getting Ready	93	(8)
Key Terms	100	(1)
Basic Modeling Techniques	101	(22)
Summary	101	(1)
Introduction	101	(1)
A Note About Lines	102	(3)
Geometric Primitives	105	(3)
Sweeping	108	(2)
Free-Form Objects	110	(4)
Basic Modeling Utilities	114	(5)
Groups and Hierarchical Structures	119	(4)
Key Terms	122	(1)
Advanced Modeling Techniques	123	(28)
Summary	123	(1)
FreeForm Curved Surfaces	123	(8)
Subdivision Surfaces	131	(1)
Logical Operators and Trimmed Surfaces	131	(2)
Advanced Modeling Utilities	133	(4)
Procedural Descriptions and Physical Simulations	137	(5)
Photogrammetry and Image-Based Modeling	142	(1)
Getting Ready	143	(8)
Key Terms	148	(3)
Section III. Rendering
Basic Rendering Concepts	151	(30)
Summary	151	(1)
Lights, Camera, and Materials	151	(3)
Color	154	(3)
Steps in the Rendering Process	157	(2)
Hidden Surface Removal	159	(1)
Z-Buffer	160	(1)
Ray Tracing	161	(2)
Radiosity	163	(2)
Image-Based Rendering	165	(3)
Nonrealistic Rendering	168	(2)
File Formats for Rendering	170	(1)
Getting Ready	171	(10)
Key Terms	179	(2)
The Camera	181	(16)
Summary	181	(1)
Types of Cameras	181	(1)
The Pyramid of Vision	182	(3)
Types of Camera Shots	185	(5)
Types of Camera Lenses	190	(2)
Camera Animation	192	(1)
Getting Ready	193	(4)
Key Terms	196	(1)
Lighting	197	(28)
Summary	197	(1)
Lighting Strategies and Mood	197	(5)
Types of Light Sources	202	(4)
Basic Components of a Light Source	206	(4)
Lighting the Scene	210	(6)
Basic Positions of Light Sources	216	(4)
Getting Ready	220	(5)
Key Terms	223	(2)
Shading and Surface Characteristics	225	(44)
Summary	225	(1)
Surface Shading Techniques	225	(3)
Surface Shaders	228	(4)
Image Mapping	232	(12)
Surface Reflectivity	244	(6)
Surface Color	250	(2)
Surface Texture	252	(4)
Surface Transparency	256	(1)
Environment-Dependent Shading	257	(4)
Selected Rendering Hacks	261	(2)
Getting Ready	263	(6)
Key Terms	266	(3)
Section IV. Animation
Basic Concepts of Animation	269	(30)
Summary	269	(1)
Types of Animation	269	(3)
Principles of Animation	272	(7)
Storytelling	279	(3)
Storyboarding	282	(3)
Character Development	285	(7)
Animation File Formats	292
Getting Ready	253	(46)
Key Terms	297	(2)
Basic Computer Animation Techniques	299	(28)
Summary	299	(1)
Principles of Keyframe Interpolation	299	(4)
Model Animation	303	(7)
Camera Animation	310	(5)
Light Animation	315	(5)
Hierarchical Animation	320	(3)
Getting Ready	323	(4)
Key Terms	325	(2)
Advanced Computer Animation Techniques	327	(42)
Summary	327	(1)
Inverse Kinematics	327	(3)
Performance Animation and Motion Capture	330	(8)
Motion Dynamics	338	(8)
Procedural Animation	346	(8)
Facial Animation	354	(4)
Crowd Animation	358	(2)
Location-Based and Interactive Entertainment	360	(9)
Key Terms	366	(3)
Section V. Post-Processing
Retouching and Compositing	369	(28)
Summary	369	(1)
Basic Concepts of Image Manipulation	369	(6)
Image Retouching	375	(6)
Image Compositing and Blending	381	(7)
Image Sequencing	388	(9)
Key Terms	395	(2)
Output	397	(24)
Summary	397	(1)
Basic Concepts of Digital Output	397	(1)
Image Resolution	398	(5)
File Formats for Image Output	403	(6)
Output on Paper	409	(2)
Output on Photographic Media	411	(1)
Output on Video	412	(2)
Output on Digital Media	414	(4)
Output on Three-Dimensional Media	418	(3)
Key Terms	420	(1)
Appendix www.artof3d.com	421	(1)
Index	422