Maya Studio Projects
Game Environments and Props
Published on 12. February 2010
288 pages
978-0-470-60931-6 (ISBN)
Description
Use Maya to create realistic environments and props for digitalgames
Weapons, vehicles, tools, buildings, trees, plants, walls,ceilings, and floors-these items may seem secondary to the gameenvironment, but they are integral parts of the game and they allneed to be created. Maya Studio Projects: Game Environments andProps is a step-by-step project guide to creating some of themost popular game art.
Author Michael McKinley shares techniques for getting the mostout of Maya to create realistic, vivid, and compelling worlds andotherworldly props. Along the way, he provides notes and FYIs thatgive readers depth and breadth for bringing both reality andcreativity to their game art. A bonus DVD features step-by-stepvideos to help drive home concepts.
* The Studio Projects series offers projects that start fromnothing, just as they do in the studio; these books provide youwith a step-by-step guide to software attributes and tools thatencompass multiple disciplines so that you can create a finished,renderable object
* Many games have only a few characters, and multiple levels andenvironments, and hundreds of props-this book focuses on projectsand techniques for creating everything but the character
* Maya is the top 3D app for creating console and computer gamessuch as: Rock Band, Gears of War, James Bond: Quantum of Solace,Fallout 3, and Far Cry 2
Learn effective Maya studio techniques with this handy,step-by-step, full-color book.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials arenot included as part of eBook file.
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Other editions
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Book
03/2010
1st Edition
Wiley
€43.90
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Person
Michael McKinley is a veteran game artist, primarily serving as an environment artist for several titles, including Tomb Raider: Anniversary, NFL Street 3, and many others. He currently works for Zombie Studios in Seattle, Washington, where he created environments and props for Saw as well as other prominent titles. He is the author of The Game Artist's Guide to Maya and The Game Animator's Guide to Maya, both from Sybex.
Content
Introduction.
Chapter 1: Walls, Ceilings, and Floors.
Understanding Backgrounds.
Project: Creating a Brick Wall.
Information Overload.
Chapter 2: Foliage.
Understanding Foliage.
Project: Creating Ivy.
Project: Creating a Savannah Tree.
The Illusion of Detail.
Chapter 3: Weapons.
Understanding Weapons.
Project: Creating and Animating a Western Revolver.
Moving Right Along.
Chapter 4: Vehicles.
Understanding Vehicles.
Project: Building a Dune Buggy.
Where to Go from Here?
Chapter 5: Buildings.
Understanding Buildings.
Project: Building a Skyscraper.
Let's Light It Up.
Chapter 6: Illuminators.
Understanding Illuminators.
Project: Creating a Wall Sconce.
In the Home Stretch!
Chapter 7: Ambient Movement.
Understanding Movers.
Project: Creating an Industrial Fan.
Not Just a Level.
Chapter 8: Putting It All Together.
Project: Creating a Sci-Fi Prop.
Project Complete!
Chapter 9: Pro Tips.
Using Mudbox or ZBrush.
Creating Level of Detail.
Mipmapping.
Using Multiple UV Channels.
Creating Collision Meshes.
Being Professional.
Have Fun!
Appendix A: Image Gallery.
Appendix B: About the Companion DVD.
What You'll Find on the DVD.
System Requirements.
Using the DVD.
Troubleshooting.
Customer Care.
Index.
