3D Studio MAX 3(r) Media Animation

For any up-and-coming animator searching for ways to create flying logos or make animated titles look more professional and polished, your search is over. 3D Studio Max 3 Media Animation is an outstanding book for mid-level artists using Kinetix's powerful animation software for motion graphics and animated logos. (Many of the basic principles and techniques can be applied to other software packages as well.)

Full of step-by-step tutorials from examples that are glitzy, cutting-edge, and totally professional, this book describes in detail approaches to animated media logos from start to finish. Projects range from a sample storyboard describing the action, to importing files from other programs to use as templates for models, all the way through final lighting and rendering.

The last section, called "Real World Case Studies," breaks down and analyzes three animated logo openings for NBC's Weekend Magazine, Upfront Tonight, and NBC News: Decision 98. The CD-ROM includes Max project files and source material from these projects.

Although the book focuses on animated logos and opening titles, there is plenty here to learn from. Novices beware--some knowledge of 3D Studio Max is assumed. However, if you feel that your work has reached a plateau or that you've fallen into a rut of mediocre work, 3D Studio Max 3 Media Animation is the ideal guide to elevate your work to the next level. --Mike Caputo