Why take months to learn every button in 3ds Max when you can create great visuals with just a few key tools? Utilize the tool of choice, 3ds Max 2015, for generating realistic environments, seamless CG effects, and jaw dropping games in a matter of hours. You can use the memory-hogging methods that choke your display and take forever to render, or you can get it done quickly and efficiently.

Michael McCarthy offers a goldmine of artistic inspiration, timesaving tips & tricks, and step-by-step walkthroughs you ll wonder how you every got by without it This new edition has been completely revamped for 3ds Max 2015. Start animating today with detailed tutorials, source files, bitmaps, and video demonstrations all featured on the companion website."

Designed to trick the eye and stimulate the imagination, special effects have changed the way we look at films and the worlds created in them. Computer-generated imagery (CGI), as seen in Hollywood blockbusters like Star Wars, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Independence Day, Men in Black, and The Matrix, is just the latest advance in the evolution of special effects. Even as special effects have been marveled at by millions, this is the first investigation of their broader cultural reception. Moving from an exploration of nineteenth-century popular science and magic to the Hollywood science fiction cinema of our time, Special Effects examines the history, advancements, and connoisseurship of special effects, asking what makes certain types of cinematic effects special, why this matters, and for whom. Michele Pierson shows how popular science magazines, genre filmzines, and computer lifestyle magazines have articulated an aesthetic criticism of this emerging art form and have helped shape how these hugely popular on-screen technological wonders have been viewed by moviegoers.

If you're a Flash designer looking for a solid overview of Flash CS4, this book is for you. Through the use of solid and practical exercises, you will soon master the fundamentals of this fourth edition of the Adobe Flash authoring tool. Using a series of carefully developed tutorials, you will be led from basic Flash CS4 techniques to the point where you can create animations, MP3 players, and customized Flash video players in no time. Each chapter focuses on a major aspect of Flash, and then lets you take the reins in a "Your Turn" exercise to create something amazing with what you've learned.

This book focuses on the core skill set you need to feel at home with Flash CS4, and also introduces you to some of the biggest names in today's Flash community through interviews and actual "How To" examples, so you can learn from the masters. You will start by studying the Flash CS4 interface, and while you're at it, you'll be guided toward mastery of the fundamentals, such as movie clips, text, and graphics, which will lead you into some of the more fascinating aspects of Flash, including audio, video, animation, and 3D transformations.

By the time you finish, you will have created an MP3 player and a Flash video player, been introduced to the basics of ActionScript 3.0, learned how to combine Flash with XML, styled Flash text with CSS, created animated scenes, and worked your way through a host of additional projects. All of these exercises are designed to give you the knowledge necessary to master Flash CS4 from the ground up. If you're already a seasoned Flash designer, this book will get you up to speed with the fourth version in relatively short order.

This book covers all of the new Flash CS4 features, such as the new animation and 3D tools, the new Adobe Media Encoder, and a pair of the coolest new additions to the tools panel: a spray brush tool and a deco tool.

You can discover more about this book, download source code, and more at the book's companion website: www.foundationflashcs4.com.

Creating Flash Widgets with Flash CS4 and ActionScript 3.0 is an introduction to developing widgets for the Internet using the features of Flash CS4 and ActionScript 3.0. Many social-networking sites, blogs, and personal home pages have adopted the use of widgets and Flash developers can create and distribute their own widgets for others to use. A step-by-step example demonstrates how to design and develop your own Flash widgets and integrate them with XML. In addition, publishing, promoting, and capitalizing on your Flash widgets is discussed. What you'll learn Using the tools in Flash CS4 Basic differences of ActionScript 3.0 Designing and developing widgets Utilizing XML with widgets Publishing widgets to the Internet Promoting and capitalizing on widgets Who this book is for

Creating Flash Widgets with Flash CS4 and ActionScript 3.0 targets novice to intermediate Flash designers/developers interested in learning how to create and publish widgets for the Internet. Table of Contents Introducing Flash Widgets Migrating to Flash CS4 and ActionScript 3.0 Developing Your First Widget Taking Flash Widgets to the Next Level Publishing, Promoting, and Capitalizing on Your Widgets

Thanks to faster browsers, better web standards support, and more powerful devices, the web now defines the next generation of user interfaces that are fun, practical, fluid, and memorable. The key? Animation. But learning how to create animations is hard, and existing learning material doesn't explain the context of the UI problem that animations are trying to solve. That's where this book comes in. You'll gain a solid technical understanding of how to create awesome animations using CSS and learn how to implement common UI patterns, using practical examples that rely on animations to solve a core problem. Frontend web developers and designers only will learn important technical details, but also how to apply them to solve real-world problems. Create animations found in common user interface implementations, such as bounce after scrolling, expanding search boxes, and content sliders Learn the technical details of working with CSS animations and transitions Use CSS transforms to very animate an element's position, scale, and orientation

Animation has a lot to do with acting. That is, character animation, not the standardized, mechanical process of animation. Acting and animation are highly creative processes. This book is divided into two parts: From film history we learn about the importance of actors and the variety of acting that goes into animation; then, we will turn to the actor's point of view to describe the various techniques involved. Through exhaustive research and interviews with people ranging from the late Ray Harryhausen, Jim Danforth, Joe Letteri, and Bruno Bozzetto, this book will be the primary source for animators and animation actors. Key Features Interviews with industry legends are found throughout this exhaustive work on animation From film history we learn about the importance of actors and the variety of acting that goes into animation, then turn to the actor's point of view to describe the various techniques involved Coverage of acting from Vaudeville to Rotoscoping to Performance Capture Case studies throughout bring the content to life while providing actionable tools and techniques that can be used immediately

Learn how to animate using the world's most advanced free software for 3D content creation Key Features * Master the essentials of 3D animation with enjoyable step-by-step exercises * Get inspired by expert techniques used by professional Blender animators * Learn unique Blender insights and secrets that you won't find in its documentation Book Description Blender's supportive community and powerful feature set make it an indispensable tool for creating 3D animations. Completely free and open source, Blender holds its own against other 3D applications that cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. However, learning the software can be a challenge as Blender is known for its complex interface, and animation is not an easy subject to begin with.! If you want to get into 3D animation but don't know where to begin, Realizing 3D Animation in Blender will help you overcome these challenges by taking a practical approach to demystifying both the theories of 3D animation and the many animation workflows specific to Blender. With detailed explanations of exercises and a sharp focus on the animation process, this book will help you learn everything you need to set out on your path to becoming a 3D animator. It's much more than just an introduction. The book covers complex concepts in an easy-to-follow manner, and shows you how to avoid common errors that novice animators are prone to making. By the end of this Blender 3D animation book, you'll have gained the knowledge, experience, and inspiration to start creating impressive 3D animations on your own. What you will learn * Become well-versed with the simple rules of keyframing and interpolation * Understand the function and behavior of Blender's animation curves * Set up object relationships * Pose an advanced character rig * Bring a character to life with Blender 3D character animation * Explore advanced features such as physics simulation * Get to grips with Blender's mysterious non-linear animation tool * Render animations the professional way Who This Book Is For This book guides you in working with Blender's latest animation tools from the ground up. If you have a background in art or animation in other software, this book will help you transition to Blender. You'll find this book useful even if you are new to 3D art. No prior art skills or experience with Blender are necessary to get started.

The latest edition of this bestselling game development reference offers proven tips and techniques for the real-time rendering of special effects and visualization data that are useful for beginners and seasoned game and graphics programmers alike. Exploring recent developments in the rapidly evolving field of real-time rendering, GPU Pro6: Advanced Rendering Techniques assembles a high-quality collection of cutting-edge techniques for advanced graphics processing unit (GPU) programming. It incorporates contributions from more than 45 experts who cover the latest developments in graphics programming for games and movies. The book covers advanced rendering techniques that run on the DirectX or OpenGL runtimes, as well as on any other runtime with any language available. It details the specific challenges involved in creating games across the most common consumer software platforms such as PCs, video consoles, and mobile devices. The book includes coverage of geometry manipulation; rendering techniques, handheld devices programming, effects in image space, shadows, 3D engine design, graphics-related tools, and environmental effects. It also includes a dedicated section on general purpose GPU programming that covers CUDA, DirectCompute, and OpenCL examples. In color throughout, GPU Pro6 presents ready-to-use ideas and procedures that can help solve many of your daily graphics programming challenges. Example programs with downloadable source code are also provided on the book's CRC Press web page.

This book offers a comprehensive and detailed guide to accomplishing and perfecting a photorealistic look in digital content across visual effects, architectural and product visualization, and games. Emmy award-winning VFX supervisor Eran Dinur offers readers a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of light, surfaces, atmospherics, and optical effects, and then discusses techniques to achieve this complexity in the digital realm, covering both 3D and 2D methodologies. In addition, the book features artwork, case studies, and interviews with leading artists in the fields of VFX, visualization, and games. Exploring color, integration, light and surface behaviour, atmospherics, shading, texturing, physically-based rendering, procedural modelling, compositing, matte painting, lens/camera effects, and much more, Dinur offers a compelling, elegant guide to achieving photorealism in digital media and creating imagery that is seamless from real footage. Its broad perspective makes this detailed guide suitable for VFX, visualization and game artists and students, as well as directors, architects, designers, and anyone who strives to achieve convincing, believable visuals in digital media.

The unique, dynamic learning system that has helped thousands of artists enhance their figure drawing abilities Dozens of updated illustrations and all-new content, exclusive to the 3rd edition Select pages can be scanned by your smartphone or other device to pull up bonus video content, enhancing the learning process

The essential fundamentals of 3D animation for aspiring 3D artists

3D is everywhere--video games, movie and television special effects, mobile devices, etc. Many aspiring artists and animators have grown up with 3D and computers, and naturally gravitate to this field as their area of interest. Bringing a blend of studio and classroom experience to offer you thorough coverage of the 3D animation industry, this must-have book shows you what it takes to create compelling and realistic 3D imagery. Serves as the first step to understanding the language of 3D and computer graphics (CG)Covers 3D animation basics: pre-production, modeling, animation, rendering, and post-productionDissects core 3D concepts including design, film, video, and gamesExamines what artistic and technical skills are needed to succeed in the industryOffers helpful real-world scenarios and informative interviews with key educators and studio and industry professionals

Whether you're considering a career in as a 3D artist or simply wish to expand your understanding of general CG principles, this book will give you a great overview and knowledge of core 3D Animation concepts and the industry.

Understand and develop immersive animations along with animated stickers for Telegram using Bodymovin, After Effects and LottieFiles and integrate them in your React Native apps using this color guide to UI animations Key Features Explore key principles of storytelling, 2D digital animation, and design thinking Create animations in After Effects, learn how to export them with both Bodymovin and LottieFiles plugins, and tweak them using the LottieFiles platform Understand how to implement Lottie animations with React Native Book DescriptionLottie is a small and scalable JSON-based animation file. LottieFiles is the platform where Lottie animations can be uploaded, tested, and shared. By combining the LottieFiles plugin and the LottieFiles platform, you'll be able to create stunning animations that are easy to integrate in any device. You'll also see how to use the Bodymovin plugin in After Effects to export your animation to a JSON file. The book starts by giving you an overview of Lottie and LottieFiles. As you keep reading, you'll understand the entire Lottie ecosystem and get hands-on with classic 2D animation principles. You'll also get a step-by-step guided tour to ideate, sketch for storytelling, design an icon that will fulfill the needs and expectations of users based on UX, and finally animate it in Adobe After Effects. This will help you get familiar with the After Effects environment, work with vector shape layers, create and modify keyframes using layer properties, explore path and mask features, and adjust timing easily to create professional-looking animations. By the end of this animation book, you'll be able to create and export your own Lottie animations using After Effects and implement them in mobile apps using React Native. You'll also have an understanding of 2D animation best practices and principles that you can apply in your own projects. What you will learn Get started with Lottie and integrate animations either by creating them from scratch or by downloading them through LottieFiles Explore the key principles of 2D classic animation Understand the basics to create your first animation using After Effects Export your animations into Lottie JSON files through Bodymovin Integrate your very first Lottie icon animation inside your React Native app Control your animation within the app through React APIs, while exploring best practices and common pitfalls Who this book is forThis book is for developers and engineers who are already familiar with React Native, as well as UX and UI designers who want to create their own animations and integrate them with their platforms through React Native. Basic knowledge of JavaScript programming is assumed. Beginner-level illustration skills are also preferred, although not necessary.

Well before Ajax and Microsoft's Windows Presentation Foundation hit the scene, Macromedia offered the first method for building web pages with the responsiveness and functionality of desktop programs with its Flash-based "Rich Internet Applications". Now, new owner Adobe is taking Flash and its powerful capabilities beyond the Web and making it a full-fledged development environment. Rather than focus on theory, the ActionScript 3.0 Cookbook concentrates on the practical application of ActionScript, with more than 300 solutions you can use to solve a wide range of common coding dilemmas. You'll find recipes that show you how to: Detect the user's Flash Player version or their operating system Build custom classes Format dates and currency types Work with strings Build user interface components Work with audio and video Make remote procedure calls using Flash Remoting and web services Load, send, and search XML data And much, much more ...Each code recipe presents the Problem, Solution, and Discussion of how you can use it in other ways or personalize it for your own needs, and why it works. You can quickly locate the recipe that most closely matches your situation and get the solution without reading the whole book to understand the underlying code. Solutions progress from short recipes for small problems to more complex scripts for thornier riddles, and the discussions offer a deeper analysis for resolving similar issues in the future, along with possible design choices and ramifications. You'll even learn how to link modular ActionScript pieces together to create rock-solid solutions for Flex 2 and Flash applications. When you're not sure how ActionScript 3.0 works or how to approach a specific programming dilemma, you can simply pick up the book, flip to the relevant recipe(s), and quickly find the solution you're looking for. Adobe Developer Library is a co-publishing partnership between O'Reilly Media and Adobe Systems, Inc. and is designed to produce the number one information resources for developers who use Adobe technologies. Created in 2006, the Adobe Developer Library is the official source for comprehensive learning solutions to help developers create expressive and interactive web applications that can reach virtually anyone on any platform. With top-notch books and innovative online resources covering the latest in rich Internet application development, the Adobe Developer Library offers expert training and in-depth resources, straight from the source.

We all know what a great tool Flash is for creating dynamic, engaging web content, and Adobe's CS4 release just makes it even better. Among the newer features is the ability to take all the power of Flash for the Web and put in on the desktop using AIR. AIR capability is built right into the Flash CS4 integrated development environment, which means you can start writing desktop applications right away.

This book not only covers the essentials of using Flash with AIR (and AIR with Flash), but also shows you how to extend application functionality in new ways. Once you've got Flash on the desktop, you're no longer constrained by the limitations of running inside a web browser. You'll have access to the local desktop file system, and AIR adds SQLite functionality for native database support. And just as Flash animations have a consistent look and feel across browsers, AIR allows you to create applications that work consistently across operating systemsMac OS X, Windows, and Linux.

For any Flash developer who wants to go from the Web to the desktop (and who doesn't?), this book is required reading. It not only tells you how to do it, but is full of practical, easy-to-follow examples that will have you building desktop AIR applications with Flash in no time. Expanding your existing Flash skills with the Essential Guide to Flash CS4 AIR Development will make you an even more potent and indispensable force on any development team

Build real-time animations without expensive equipment using this quick how-to guide printed in full-color Key Features Get the hang of enhancing and polishing character rigs Create quick and effective animations for business or entertainment without having to delve into all the intricacies of the craft Create triggers to customize your animated experience Book DescriptionAdobe Character Animator is a power app for non-animators that provides easy rigging and easy-to- understand tools that enable you to create entertainment or business videos in no time. This guide to Character Animator gives you a comprehensive overview of the app, helping you learn the entire process-from importing a character designed in Adobe Photoshop to animating a sequence. Complete with background art, multiple character rigs and Character Animator project files, this book will show you how to animate a scene in Character Animator from start to finish. Starting with a character PSD from another artist, you'll organize and condense the file to prepare it for rigging and animation. From there, you'll systematically rig the character while exploring advanced behaviors and triggers to animate a complex scene that takes advantage of the app's best features. By the end of this book, you'll be able to create appealing animations in Character Animator for any purpose. What you will learn Assemble rigs in Photoshop for Character Animator Add tags, handles, draggable limbs, swap sets, and physics effects Use a webcam and microphone for lip-syncing, head turns, and other real-time actions Work with multiple characters, scene layers, and audio files Add loopable motions such as walk cycles Record a short animation for export Who this book is forIf you are a beginner in animation and looking to get up and running quickly by creating your own animated scenes, this is the book for you. With just basic computer knowledge and a webcam and microphone connected, you'll be able to follow along effectively. Although not a prerequisite, knowing the principles of animation or having any history with other animation software will be helpful.

Design Computing will help you understand the rapidly evolving relationship between computing, designers, and the many different environments they create or work in. The book introduces the topic of design computing, and covers the basics of hardware and software, so you don't need to be an expert. Topics include the fundamentals of digital representation, programming and interfaces for design; the shifting landscape of opportunity and expectation in practice and pedagogy; placing sensors in buildings to measure performance; and the challenge of applying information effectively in design. The book also includes additional reading for those who wish to dig deeper into the subject. Design Computing will provide you with a greater awareness of the issues that permeate the field, opportunities for you to investigate, and perhaps motivation to push the boundaries.

A continuation of 1994's groundbreaking Cartoons, Giannalberto Bendazzi's Animation: A World History is the largest, deepest, most comprehensive text of its kind, based on the idea that animation is an art form that deserves its own place in scholarship. Bendazzi delves beyond just Disney, offering readers glimpses into the animation of Russia, Africa, Latin America, and other often-neglected areas and introducing over fifty previously undiscovered artists. Full of first-hand, never before investigated, and elsewhere unavailable information, Animation: A World History encompasses the history of animation production on every continent over the span of three centuries. Volume II delves into the decades following the Golden Age, an uncertain time when television series were overshadowing feature films, art was heavily influenced by the Cold War, and new technologies began to emerge that threatened the traditional methods of animation. Take part in the turmoil of the 1950s through 90s as American animation began to lose its momentum and the advent of television created a global interest in the art form. With a wealth of new research, hundreds of photographs and film stills, and an easy-to-navigate organization, this book is essential reading for all serious students of animation history. Key Features Over 200 high quality head shots and film stills to add visual reference to your research Detailed information on hundreds of never-before researched animators and films Coverage of animation from more than 90 countries and every major region of the world Chronological and geographical organization for quick access to the information you're looking for

Become 10x more efficient in styling micro content for your social media platforms with DaVinci Resolve 18 by a Blackmagic Design Certified Training Partner Key Features * Enhance your content with Creative editing, VFX composition, color grading, and sound editing techniques * Optimized techniques to generate quick video content to engage and increase your audience * Discover the latest features and hacks of DaVinci Resolve 18 and realize your creative ideas in a fun way Book Description DaVinci Resolve is the world's most trusted name in color grading and has been used to grade more Hollywood films, TV shows, and commercials than anything else. Version 18 enables full capacity to edit, compose VFX, mix sound and deliver for different platforms, including Social Media and the Web. You will learn how to get started using DaVinci Resolve 18 to create video content for Social Media and the Web, whether you are a business owner, influencer, or hobbyist. You will begin by gaining an overview of creating a complete short video for Social Media distribution direct from within the Cut page. You will then learn more advanced editing, VFX composition, color grading, and sound editing techniques to enhance your content even further and fix common video content issues when using consumer cameras or mobile phones. By the end of this book, you will be confident in using DaVinci Resolve to edit, fix, finish and publish short-form video content directly to Social Media sites such as YouTube, Twitter, and Vimeo. What you will learn * Learn to Edit, add effects, and post to social media using the new Cut page * Quickly deliver video projects in a variety of Social Media formats in the Cut page * Fix problems with video, such as stabilizing footage and syncing audio * Enhance the visuals of your videos through color correction and other visual effects techniques * Use the Neural Engine AI in the Studio Version of DaVinci Resolve to speed up your work * Add subtitles and dubbed audio to help your videos reach a wider audience Who This Book Is For This book is intended for the beginner content maker who is looking for quick techniques to improve their work, but it will also be useful for experienced content makers who want to begin using DaVinci Resolve for its more advanced features. It is a useful practical training manual for Social Media Marketers, Influencers, Short Film Makers, Small Business Owners creating their own content, Vloggers, and Film/Media Studies students at schools, colleges, or universities.

A uniquely cross-disciplinary and cross-experience book written as an accessible guide for people new to storytelling in games, new to games as a practice, and those eager to develop their existing practices & knowledge around storytelling in games. Offers careful, clear, and practical advice for understanding creative writing, in the context of games, and in discovering and developing your own games writing practice. Focuses on writing, not narrative design, as an area underdeveloped in the context of games storytelling.