Creating professional-quality graphics and animations requires a combination of artistic and technical talent; but even before you can put these skills to work, you need a solid understanding of the digital 3D world. The hands-on instruction provided in this text teaches how to master the 3D world, and apply this understanding to the art of animation. Written for designers and students just beginning in animation, 3D Animation: From Models to Movies provides concise coverage of the fundamentals of 3D to ensure that learning animation is a smooth and enjoyable journey. For those already working in 3D, taking a course, or just wanting to hone their skills, this resource should be useful. A variety of practical tutorials, teach everything from understanding 3D to modelling, rendering, texturing, lighting, and animation. The tutorials use a variety of projects and programs to illustrate the techniques. Maxon Cinema4D XL v6, Strata StudioPro 3D, and NewTek LightWave v6 are the primary programs used, but the techniques covered can be easily applied to other professional-quality programs including Animation:Master, 3D Studio Max, Maya, and SoftImage. Comprehensive coverage of 3D graphics fundamentals needed for animation exercises are included throughout the text to challenge and expand skills. Detailed tutorials cover modelling, texturing, rendering, lighting, animation, and special effects. A colour gallery displays the work of talented students and artists. The text covers cross-platform issues and explains how to apply techniques to a variety of software applications. The CD-ROM contains: a demo version of Maxon & Mac226's Cinema4D XL 6 (Win and Mac); a complete version of Strata Studio 3D (Win and Mac); all the book images in full colour; and tutorial support files. The CD requirements are: Windows 98/NT/2000; Pentium Processor+; CD-ROM Drive; Hard drive with 3 MB RAM and 20MB free space; Macintosh Mac OS 7.61+, PowerPC +.