Handbook provides insight into the tools and techniques used in 3ds max 5 and 5.1 to create high-quality characters, environments, and visual effects. Covers plug-ins, bringing everything together into an animated rendered scene, and how to use discreet combustion 2.1 with 3ds max for compositing and 2D visual effects. Softcover. DLC: Computer animation.

About the Author

Sanford Kennedy (Los Angeles, CA) is an author, animator, and designer, with Bachelor’s degrees in Fine Arts, History, and Industrial Technology. He has worked in Hollywood special effects since 1977, and computer animation since 1994. Over the years he has worked on 54 movies and numerous commercials. He now owns a computer animation studio in Los Angeles and teaches 3D Computer Animation at the Otis College of Art and Design. He has written over 100 articles and co-authored six books on 3D computer animation.

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Terrible July 1 2004

By magic

Format:Paperback

When i saw the firt pictures of this book, I was totaly chocked.. After 2 years using 3ds max, I was able to do much beter than Mr kennedy.. The rendering and the effects in the book are totaly ridiculous..

Even the cover has no connection with the book.. verry bad.

Last thing, the web site is full of error and never updated.

Please buy another book ! Like 3ds max 6 by Barrett Fox..

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Appalling... May 5 2004

By Sean Forsyth

Format:Paperback

This is appalling, the models are terrible, the animation amateurish, and the texturing ugly (horrible misuse of procedural textures). Avoid if you can, there are many fine books on Max, this is NOT one of them.

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A great book if you aspire to make cheesey renderings and FX Mar 4 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book presents a good overview of the CG industry, with a few topics I've not found elsewhere. However, it is discouraging to work through a book that is filled with cheesey looking renderings. That's right, horrible. I don't mean to flame or be destructive in my criticism, but if you could only see the color plates contained in this book, you would treat the author with skepticism at best. I still can't understand how someone who obviously knows the tools he uses very well, i.e. MAX and Combustion, can turn out such B-rated models and renderings. This book is a good example that no matter how much technical knowledge you have, computer software, no matter how advanced, will never make up for an utter lack of artistic talent. Sanford Kennedy is very technically knowledgeable but his artistic skills are virtually noexistant. Try checking his website for an example of the 'great' renderings you can aspire to if you buy this book. 90% of the pages aren't even up, or have been under construction since 2001. www.sanfordkennedy.com

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Most recent customer reviews

Good info I couldn't find elsewhere

This book actually told me how to build an entire scene, including the characters and buildings. It was fun and informative. Exactly what I was looking for.

Published on Oct 10 2003 by SuperGreg

Money Well Spent

I love this book! It makes sense of things in 3ds Max that I couldn't quite grasp before. I'm finally getting over the learning curve for lots of stuff in Max! Read more