[.ca] Digital 3D Design: The Use of 3D Applications in Digital ... (ISBN 0823012964)

Amazon.com Review:
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 for an entry into this exciting career. But all of the terms, jargon, and applications can be daunting. Author Simon Danaher, an expert in 3-D computer graphics, lays out an accessible and colorfully 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 such as Maya, 3D 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 3D), 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 those wanting to dip their toes in but not knowing where to begin, or for artists looking to branch out into another dimension. --Angelynn Grant

Fantastic Introduction to 3D Terms and Concepts:
Digital 3D Design is like a visual dictionary for the 3D design world. Out of all the 3D books I own, this is the one I recommend the most in teaching 3D and animation classes (with Bill Fleming's Photorealistic Toolkit a close second!). It covers concepts and terms (introductory and advanced) in very clear and concise ways, fully illustrated. It discusses all the major 3D packages, including Maya, LightWave, Cinema 4DXL, ElectricImage, SoftImage and others, discussing advantages of each. It covers views, 3D space, lighting, shading, textures, resolution, UV mapping, splines, curves, polygons, points, advanced modeling concepts, raytracing, rendering, radiosity, setting up skeletons, animation, inverse kinematics--everything you'd expect if you were looking for the ideal textbook for a 3D class (I'm using it for my modeling and animation classes). All this for around less than $30. A book every 3D designer, and instructor, should own! Highly recommended.

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.

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.

What I expected and wanted.:
The book does a great job covering concepts of 3D design and does it in a good general sense. It may not have the most up to date applications when it talks about apps for modeling but the current ones are just new versions of the old ones. simple read, good visuals.

For Rank Beginners(and that's a good thing!):
The BEST book out there for beginning 3D artists. Period. Should be included with all 3D software packages. If you're thinking about getting into 3D design, buy this first!!!!!!