Maya 6: The Complete Reference

I'm an animation student and I first come across this book at my school's library. As soon as I started to go through it, I decided to buy it. All the 3D software books I had seen before taught me nothing; either way too basic or way too advanced. This book covers most of the software, it explains things well and it's organized. It's definitely worth having.

Great book. It seems to answer all those little questions you have, when you're in mid project, that you just couldn't find. So far, and I am a novice, I am progressing nicely thanks to this book. I would recommend Maya 6 to anyone who is just starting out; obviously I can't gage a higher skilled persons' needs but I would imagine that it would be an invaluable resource to anyone.

I am somewhat disapointed in the reviews I read on this book. If theres one book to buy on Maya, this is it. I went through the tutorals in Maya foundation 6 when I took a class on maya in college. The foundation books by alias is great if you wanna know how a model was put together but it lacks the learning curve, The nuts & bolts. What you get in the foundation is a introduction to different types of geometry (b-slines, subs, polys). "The complete reference maya 6" takes it a step further & really makes use of maya ability. Yes! I will say for a beginner this book will through you off. For example when the author gets into curves, you get your hands dirty patching/stitching the model where in the foundation book you stick to the basics. The aurthor shows you in the maya 6 reference book what to keep your eye on while building geometry which you will not find or at least I have not found in anyother book on maya. Modeling is easy, its modeling good that fits the bill & this book will show you the right way early on. You also get into HDR rendering, using reflections, production for those interested in taking there work into some video software. I would not suggest this book for the person who has never worked in maya even though you get the basics in the first few chapters. Once you get to the modeling part, it will throw you off without some know how of what is possible with modeling. For those that have the foundation book, this book maya 6 reference will fill in all those questions you had while working the tuoral book. I would also suggest "the art of maya" to add to your maya collection. For me I am waiting for the maya 7 update to this book, out of all my maya books I must say this book stands tall. Ohya, if you buy this book based on reviews, your selling yourself short. Buy it, if you dont like it by gosh you can always send it back for a refund. GOOD LUCK

I must agree with the first reviewer. This book does set itself apart from the rest of the Maya 6 books. I personally own almost the whole series of Alias/Maya 6 (SYBEX) books and just this one book goes over everything the others do and more except the Maya Unlimited book. This is the first book I have read that actually have tutorials on cool modelling, not just some corny apple modelling or creating the side of a house. The only downside is the fact that the CD does not contain movie tutorials. I have gotten a little spoiled from the Sybex books that contain Quicktime video tutorials. But on the upside the CD does contain the source files from the tutorial sections of the book. This book is definitely worth the investment.

This book is awesome and one of the best out their. It covers certain things that other books fail to do. Like, the key elements of texturing, particle effects, and fully understanding the hypershade menu alot more in-depth, and it doesn't stop there. Their is also excellent guides and tips on hard surface nurb patching, compositing, and really good rendering tutorial tips. The overall book and tutorials are well written and easy to understand, even for maya beginners. Now, I have a wide selection of maya books in my library and I would have to say in my opinion that this is one of my top books, if not best because it sets itself apart from all others!