Inspired 3D Character Setup

by Ford, Michael

• ISBN13: 9781931841511
• ISBN10: 1931841519
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-05
• Publisher: Cengage Learning Ptr

Summary

Written by working professionals in the visual effects industry, this book is a guide to building functional characters in the digital environment. You will explore the concepts and theories of creating and maintaining efficient and intuitive skeletal control systems for your 3D characters. Interwoven within the book are thought-provoking and informative interviews with industry heavyweights, stunning visuals, and step-by-step tutorials that allow you to explore and expand your knowledge of the fascinating and challenging world of 3D digital characters.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Inspired 3D Character Setup	xvi
Computer Graphics Primer	xvii
Part I Overview	1	(44)
A Look Inside the Industry	3	(20)
An Interview with Phil Tippett	23	(10)
So You Want to be a Character TD?	33	(12)
Part II Fundamentals of Character Setup	45	(164)
Character Creation---Imagination Is the Architect	47	(14)
Anatomy---Finding Your Inner Leonardo	61	(12)
An Interview with Andy Jones	73	(6)
The Basic Building Blocks of Effective Character Creation	79	(14)
Attributes, Channels, and Constraints	93	(18)
Creating and Understanding Skeletons and Kinematics	111	(14)
Deformations	125	(20)
Expressions and MEL Scripting	145	(14)
Planning for Character Setup	159	(10)
Creating a Simple Biped	169	(28)
An Interview with Rick Grandy	197	(12)
Part III The Character Pipeline	209	(46)
Building the Complex Model	211	(32)
Adding the Details	243	(8)
An Interview with Tim McGlaughlin	251	(4)
Appendix A Web and Print Resources	255	(2)
Glossary	257	(6)
Index	263