Maya Feature Creature Creations teaches the fundamentals of the development, creation, and implementation of a next generation computer generated character. Written for 3D artists and modelers of all levels, the book provides an easy-to-follow process for building an anatomy based CG character with physics driven elastic skin. Using the popular Maya program, users learn the skills necessary to create Hollywood-quality creatures and characters for commercial productions. Key Features

• Covers Maya 4/4.5 for Windows
• Covers cutting-edge techniques possible with off-the-shelf software
• Provides step-by-step instructions and detailed tips, tricks, and tutorials on pre-production, modeling, and texturing
• Teaches skills that can be transferred to a variety of 3D software applications
• Includes a companion CD-ROM with color versions of many of the figures and models in the book

Contents

• Part 1: In the Beginning
• Getting Ready
• Pre-Production
• Building the Perfect Beast
• CG Pre-Production
  Part II: Reference Material
• Design and Conquer
• Sculpting
• Building a Poseable Character
  Part III: Modeling for Film
• The Tools
• Working with Your Reference Material
• Modeling the Fire Monster's Head
• Modeling the Fire Monster's Arm
• Assembling the Fire Monster
  Part IV: Texturing for Film
• Determining Resolution
• Mapping UV's for the Fire Monster's Head
• Make it Real
• Painting on Your Model
  Part V: Anatomically Correct
• Skeletons
• Muscles and Tendons
• Fat
• The Dynamics of Life
• Conclusion