Updates
Latest Tweet
What's New?
Check out for latest innovation, a computer based training video collection
Like this Page
Maya Secrets of the Pros (Maya Masters) Review by Eric Kunzendorf
Review of Second Edition: GREAT BOOK!
Disclaimer: While I was a contributor to the first edition, I have no connection to the second edition. Therefore I believe I can speak objectively about this work. I am a computer animator and educator teaching at the college level for the past 10 years.
Maya: Secrets of the Pros-Second Edition is an excellent book! It is often hard to write a successful sequel to a good first edition, but Mr. Kundert-Gibbs and Mr. Derakhshani have hit this one out of the park. They have assembled a list of industry heavy-hitters who can and do speak with authority about the subjects they cover. If I have one criticisim, it is that I believe this book is misnamed. It is really a second volume, rather than a second edition because it contains entirely newly written content. But that is a small criticism.
It is true, this book is probably not for the new user of Maya, but the good news is that this information will stay relevant for a long time, so the neophyte should not hesitate to buy this book along side of say, Maya 5 Savvy. (Please note, I am a contributor to that book, so take that piece of advice for what it is worth!) Indeed, there are some real gems available for the beginner at the beginning of some of these chapters. For example, the beginning animator should read carefully Keith Reicher's CG Cinematography section while modelers will find Tom Capizzi's and Krishnamurti M. Costa's chapter on Advanced Character Modeling to contain bedrock solid information on the preparatory work necessary to create sophisticated models. I should say that most of the book is structured this way with excellent introduction material that rapidly accelerates into advanced instruction.
One thing to note, however, is that in several cases, the authors eschew a step-by-step approach in favor of a detailed concept description for their subjects-the section on creating Impressionistic images through Non-Photo Realistic rendering comes immediately to mind. It seems to me that in such cases, these descriptions are meant to inspire the advanced user, rather than serve as tutorials for the beginner. This can be frustrating for those who go into such a section expecting a tutorial. I believe the authors use both step-by-step and concept description appropriately throughout the book.
The book itself is handsomely printed with color images throughout. Sybex has done an excellent job of supporting the authors with high-quality paper and four-color printing.
I believe that the authors have written a unique compilation of interesting information which will remain relevant for a long. Maya users of all stripes will be taking this one down off of the shelf to find tidbits of information for years to come; I know I will!