If you already know the basics of Maya, now you can elevate your skills with the advanced coverage in this authoritative reference and tutorial. From modeling, texturing, animation and visual effects to high-level techniques for film, television, games, and more, this book provides professional-level instruction on Maya. This fully updated book brings you up to speed on Maya's latest features and expands your skills with advanced instruction on cloth, fur, and fluids. You'll learn Dynamics, Maya Muscle, Stereo Cameras, Assets, rendering with mental ray and more.

About the Author

Todd Palamar began his career creating traditional special effects for low-budget horror movies and quickly gravitated to computer animation. After working on numerous straight-to-video movies, he entered the video game industry. Todd has extensive freelance experience, including dozens of military and game-style simulations, corporate commercials and theme park rides.

Table of Contents:
• Working in Autodesk Maya • Virtual Filmmaking • Modeling I • Modeling II • Animation Techniques • Animating with Deformers • Rigging and Muscle Systems • Paint Effects • Lighting with mental ray • mental ray Shading Techniques • Texture Mapping • Rendering for Compositing • Introducing nParticles • Dynamic Effects • Fur, Hair, and Clothing • Maya Fluids