Who is this Book For?

If you want to learn basic 3D concepts, or if you are familiar with other 3D software and want to learn Maya, this book is for you. You should be familiar with computers and other graphics software packages, but you don't need prior 3D knowledge (though it will make Maya easier to learn). This book will guide you through the expansive Maya interface and show you how to animate and render your 3D projects. If you work through this book from cover to cover, you'll end up with a solid Maya foundationfamiliarity with the user interface and the capability to model, texture, and animate 3D content.

Once you've completed this book and mastered the Maya basics, you'll be ready to explore Maya's more advanced features. Good resources for tutorials can be found at www.learningmaya.com, www.highend3d.com, and www.cgtalk.com.

After exploring Maya modeling, rendering, and animation, you may find that you're better at one or the other. As you work through this book, think about which area interests you most. Using Maya could develop into a hobby or even a career in creating 3D content for movies, product ads, and interactive entertainment!