Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1406329 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-01
• Released on: 2001-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

From Amazon.co.uk
Digital 3D Design: The Use of 3D Applications in Digital Graphic Design is a compact and visually-loaded introduction to 3-D design. With 3-D graphics and animations popping up all over, in movies, computer games, and retail Web sites, many are looking to gain access into this exciting career. But all of the terms, jargon and applications can be daunting. Author Danaher, an expert in 3-D computer graphics, lays out an accessible and colourfully illustrated guide to it all. His approach will be especially welcome to those already experienced with 2-D paint or vector applications since there are some common themes.

A better subtitle might have been "Beyond Shiny Chrome Balls and Neon Skies", because the book quickly takes readers past those fairly basic fantasy-style images and on to more sophisticated modeling. It begins with a bit of history and a brief profile of the major 3-D applications like Maya, 3-D Studio Max, Poser, and many others. The next 60 pages cover core concepts like modeling, spline patches, NURBS and raytracing. In later sections, "lessons" cover more concepts in detail, for example, tessellation, keyframe animation, and UV texture mapping. Although these aren't quite step-by-step lessons, there are plenty of screenshots and Danaher clearly outlines what goes into each process. The book finishes by showing different uses of 3-D computer graphics, for example, on the Web (including VRML and Java 3-D), in architecture, and in product design. And there's a nice glossary of terms.

This is not a how-to focusing on any specific software, but rather a look at the big picture of 3-D design. Digital 3D Design will be a welcome introduction for anyone wanting to dip their toe in who doesn't know where to begin, or for artists looking to branch out into another dimension. --Angelynn Grant

From Library Journal

Rather than focus on one piece of 3-D creation software, Danaher briefly describes major packages and their strengths. He then devotes the bulk of the book to outlining 3-D concepts, creation, and terminology, concluding with a discussion of 3-D on the web and a showcase of real-world usage. This clear overview provides aspiring 3-D artists with a solid foundation that can then inform work with specific design software. An essential (and affordable) reference for public and academic libraries.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive for beginner
Over the past couple of months I've read a small pile of computer graphics books from the "Inspired" and New Riders [digital] series and others. I would put 3D design in the position of being one of the first practial how-to books a beginner should work with. Each section is clearly laid out, doesn't confuse with too much detail, and helps you gently step into CG. This book will get you oriented and everything after this will just be deeper studies in specific areas.

Digital 3D Design!
Danaher, computer artist, writer, and educator, creates an excellent introduction to the principles and terminology of 3D computer illustration. With 500 full-color illustrations and clearly written text, it is the best primer for understanding how artists and designers use 3D computer software to create animations, illustrations, and models. The format, index, and glossary also make it useful as a resource. Danaher includes a brief history of how artists represented the 3D world in 2D illustrations, followed by a survey of today's most popular software for animation and rendering. Secondly, he explains core concepts such as nurbs, Bezier splines, ray tracing, and radiosity, to name a few. Each concept is explained in a two-page spread including simple computer illustrations. Although this is not a software spec how-to book, Danaher offers "simple lessons" such as modeling parametrics, Booleans, and animation and texture mapping. He also introduces Web 3D including topics such as VRML, Cult 3D, and Hypercosm. Finally, he showcases a portfolio of computer renderings, including three illustrations by the author that are breathtaking. An appealing book for anyone who wants to gain a basic understanding of the concepts of 3D computer visualization. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; professionals; two-year technical program students.

lush and beautiful
A lush, beautiful introduction to the world of 3D. Perfect for newbies and those just wondering what 3D is all about. Plus it includes a Cinema 4D tutorial (building a photo-realistic pool cue).

This book left me wanting more from this publisher and this author.