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Cover Image: Todd Palamar
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Dear Reader,
Thank you for choosing Mastering Autodesk Maya 2014. This book is part of a family of premium-quality Sybex books, all of which are written by outstanding authors who combine practical experience with a gift for teaching.
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Acknowledgments
I would like to Eric Keller and Lee Lanier, whose work on previous editions has built a foundation for this edition; Anthony Honn, who built the vehicle models used in many of the example scenes; Travis Keller, who designed the kitchen and pergola models used in the lighting chapters; and Chris Sanchez, who provided the fantastic spacesuit design used in the modeling chapters. Thanks, also, to Chip Weatherman, our technical editor. Chip’s fresh perspective was much appreciated.
I would also like to thank all the people from Wiley, and a special thanks to Mariann Barsolo, Candace Cunningham, and Elizabeth Campbell for having such great attitudes. Their management and editing skills are superior.
About the Author
Todd Palamar is a 22-year veteran in the computer animation industry. After transitioning early in his career from traditional special effects to computer-generated imagery, Todd did effects work for several direct-to-video movies. He later went on to work on numerous video games, including Sega of Japan’s coin-operated title Behind Enemy Lines, as well as Dukes of Hazzard and Trophy Buck 2 for the Sony PlayStation console. For six years, Todd taught at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. During this time, he received numerous accolades as an outstanding educator. Todd is currently an instructor at the Digital Animation & Visual Effects (DAVE) School at Universal Studios Florida. Todd has written several books, among them Maya Cloth for Characters (Surrealistic Producing Effects, 2008), Maya Studio Projects: Dynamics (Sybex, 2009), and Maya Studio Projects: Photorealistic Characters (Sybex, 2011). The breadth of his experience has allowed him to work on location-based entertainment, military simulations, television commercials, and corporate spots. You can see more of Todd’s work on his company’s website, www.speffects.com.
About the Contributing Authors
Eric Keller is a freelance visual effects artist working in Hollywood. He divides his time between the entertainment industry and scientific visualization. He teaches the Introducing Digital Sculpting class at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood and has authored numerous animation and visualization tutorials for the Harvard Medical School course “Maya for Molecular Biologists,” taught by Gael McGill.
Eric has worked at some of the best design studios in Los Angeles, including Prologue Films, Imaginary Forces, Yu and Company, BLT and Associates, and The Syndicate. Books by Eric Keller include Maya Visual Effects: The Innovator’s Guide, Introducing ZBrush (three editions), Mastering Maya 2009, and Mastering Maya 2011, all published by Sybex. He was a contributing author to Mastering Maya 7 and Mastering Maya 2012. Many of his tutorials are available online at www.bloopatone.com.
Lee Lanier is a visual effects/animation veteran of over 20 years. Formerly a senior animator at PDI/DreamWorks for Antz and Shrek, his credits include a dozen features and numerous short films. In addition, he has taught at several schools, including the Academy of Art University and the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, and has written several books for Sybex, including Maya Studio Projects: Texturing and Lighting (2011). You can view his work at http://beezlebugbit.com/.
Anthony Honn created the vehicle models used in the example scenes throughout this book. Anthony originally trained in industrial design and architecture, but a series of fateful events resulted in a career in the film and design industries. His clients have included recording artists such as Janet Jackson, as well as lifestyle brands such as Nike. Arguably, the industrial designer still lurks beneath, with his continued passion for robotics, automobiles, and furniture.