Animation Theory and Practice
This book is targeted at CG animators who desire to understand not only the how but also the why (theory) behind animation. By understanding the theory, artists can understand the limitations of the tools and select better tools. Animators can also give better direction to the programmers working on the next generation of tools.

There are sections covering motion capture and animating substances, including the human face. In addition, some of the authors focus on animating with Maya, and other point based animation methods.

This book does not disappoint. However,  be warned Computer Animation Complete is not for the faint of heart.

Contact: Elsevier

Cost: $69.95 US; £42.99 UK

Autodesk Maya 2010 – Supercharged 3D Simulation Engine
Memorable movies and animated video games include numerous scenes and special affects incorporating Maya Unlimited tools: Maya nParticles, Maya nCloth, Maya Fluid Effects, Maya Hair, and Maya Fur.

With these powerful tools, Maya 2010 adds Maya MatchMover and Composite (Toxik) for a complete workflow producing futuristic digital images, realistic animations, and stunning visual effects. Maya 2010 provides enhanced creative control and a supercharged, simulation engine.

Maya is not for beginners learning how to create 3D animation video. And it’s fairly expensive, yet Autodesk takes different education situations into account. Their most attractive offering pricewise for students/education accounts are the Suites, rather than individual software packages. If students and artists want to advance their careers, Maya 2010 is a must to add to your 3D repertoire.

New for Maya 2010
These highlights identify some new features within Autodesk Maya 2010:
• Maya Unlimited toolset (new for Maya complete)
• Maya Composite – high dynamic range composting
• Autodesk MatchMover – camera tracker
• Five batch rendering nodes
• Autodesk Backburner network render manager

Maya Unlimited Toolset

The Maya Unlimited Toolset incorporates Maya nCloth and Maya nParticles, plus Maya Fluid Effects, Maya Hair, and Maya Fur. Whether it’s a graceful tablecloth floating over a dining table, a brisk wind coursing through dawn soaked sails, or the fluid aspects of hair or water, the Maya Unlimited Toolset provides powerful tools to create realistic animations.

Maya Composite
Maya Composite (Toxik) is a high performance, high dynamic range (HDR) composting tool included in Maya 2010. Whereas Toxik 2009 was available for Windows, Maya Composite is now available for Mac users. Maya Composite provides tools to connect passes and renders created in Maya into a final composition. The properties of each tool can be changed, and to obtain the right look, these properties can be adjusted. If desired, adjustments can also be key framed. Maya Composite’s toolset allows for keying, tracking, color correction, paint, rotoscoping, warping, and advanced filters (motion blur and depth of field). In short, Maya 2010 offers a full 3D compositing environment with support for stereoscopic production pipelines. Whether the artist is adding CG to film or video, or creating a sophisticated multilayer animation, Maya has the chops.

Autodesk MatchMover
MatchMover gives artists the power to seamlessly integrate 3D animation with live video. It provides automated tools for 3D camera and motion tracking for video and film. Manual tracking can also be applied to improve accuracy. Match-moving can be as simple as importing the sequence into MatchMover, selecting the appropriate interlace, frame rate and other camera data, and then choosing Automatic Tracking from the 2D Tracking menu. Alternatively, users can add and adjust manual tracks to create a 3D camera track. Manual tracks may be used to create a common coordinate system between the video and CG elements. Manual tracks can also track in 3D the motion of non-rigid objects, like the human face or piece of cloth, allowing users to synchronize video sequences, and match the motion between CG characters, or props with real objects, or actors.

Free Trials and Tutorials
For Maya 2010, Autodesk offers a 30-day free trial, outstanding online tutorials and support. Maya 2010 provides a full throttled animation and simulation environment to choreograph eye-popping advertisements and box office winners.

System Requirements:

Contact: www.autodesk.com
Cost: $3,495 US

Easy-to-Learn How to Create 3D Animation Characters
Put a piece of clay in your hands. Can you resist shaping the clay? With Autodesk’s Mudbox 2010, this application lets artists regain the feel of working clay and paint, without the messy clean up.

Mudbox 2010 allows beginners to experts the freedom to digitally mold and paint pre-sculpted, or geometric objects into 3D characters and props. Your imagination is the only factor limiting creativity and design.

By watching the four mini-tutorial videos (40-60 seconds long), within minutes users can start sculpting with Mudbox 2010. It’s that easy to begin learning, but don’t think this application doesn’t have the scope and prowess expert animators require. Autodesk recommends a drawing tablet with stylus, however a three-button mouse can used.

New for Mudbox 2010
These highlights list a few new features within Autodesk Mudbox 2010:

• Adobe Photoshop interoperability – Mudbox 2010 can export paint layers as PSD files for touch up or modification in Photoshop and then import the edited PSD files
• Autodesk FBX support – artists can import and export significant data containing more information than the standard OBJ file format
• New sculpting and painting tools – new paintbrushes, stencils, 3D paint performance, display textures without filtering, and new viewpoint filters
• Images rendered direct from viewport – allows faster access to high-quality images for design previews
• Software development kit (SDK)

Interoperability – Key to Efficient Workflow
Mudbox 2010 allows users to integrate their work with Adobe Photoshop, plus Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, and Softimage software programs. With the Software Development Kit (SDK), Mudbox 2010 can be integrated into additional workflow pipelines using different applications.

Interoperability

Adobe Photoshop
In Photoshop, artists apply their skills in two dimensions (2D), whereas animators design multidimensional objects (3D). Mudbox 2010’s versatility allows paint layers to be exported as a Photoshop file (PSD) , modified within Photoshop, and then re-imported back into Mudbox. A 2D-artist can fine tune the paint layers with all the tools available in Adobe Photoshop, saving 3D-artists time to create other characters or props. Exporting an image of the character, or prop allows artists to add context and fine tune the paint layer within Adobe Photoshop. This interoperability between Adobe Photoshop, a leading image editing tool, and Autodesk Mudbox 2010 enables users to add Photoshop’s broad and powerful tool sets in creating realistic, or fantastical characters and props.

Autodesk Applications
With Autodesk FBX support, 3D objects and props created in Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya and Softimage can be exported as an FBX file, which can be imported into Mudbox 2010. These 3D characters and props can then be curved, molded, painted and fine tuned using Mudbox 2010’s broad selection of intuitive painting and sculpting tools. The finished character, or prop can then be exported as a FBX file for animation into Maya, or 3dsMax. For example, design a magnificent, pristine Greek column in Maya, export the object file into Mudbox 2010, then quickly mold and paint to appear cracked and war ravaged.

New Tools – More Fun
Imagine sitting in front of a 3D creation, with multiple brushes at your fingertips. Digitally scale a creature’s forearm, or clone existing paint on both flanks creating futuristic 3D creatures. Autodesk’s Mudbox 2010 provides a delightful array of brushes, stencils, stamps and other tools to visually enhance 3D objects. Add soft, muted shadows or hard detailed edges, without the extra work and cost.

Dry Brush

For Mudbox 2010, Autodesk offers a 30-day free trial, outstanding online tutorials and support to launch yourself into 3D sculpting. As noted earlier, four mini-tutorial videos are included in the application, however, advanced tutorial videos and documents require internet access. No need to scrub off clay under the fingernails, or paint stains on your hands. Autodesk Mudbox 2010 enables artists clean, digital sculpting fun for budding beginners to artistic experts.

System Requirements: Apple® Mac OS® X 10.5.7; Windows Vista Business (SP1) and Windows XP Professional (SP2) for 32-bit system; Windows Vista Business (SP1) and Windows XP x64 Edition (SP2) for 64-bit system. For the latest list of Mudbox 2010 qualified hardware, including graphics cards, refer to Autodesk’s qualified Hardware chart.
Contact: www.autodesk.com
Cost: $745 Full Version; $375 Mudbox 2009 Upgrade. Contact Autodesk for Education Pricing.