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Garry Lewis is a 3D artist, specializing in building large-scale environments. As a graduate of Kansas State University in interior architecture and product design, his last three years in the program were devoted to the study of 3D animation. He started as a 3D artist for Heilein Schrock Architects in Kansas City, building sports stadiums and large-venue commercial projects. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a freelance artist and consultant for Knoll Furniture company. He later joined forces with Digital Firepower to create fantasy environments for the film Dungeons and Dragons. Garry then became the 3D project manager for Fearless Eye Animation Studio. His projects include work with Sprint, KC Speedway, Missouri University, and other local and national companies. He is currently working near Atlanta, Georgia, on a completely 3D animated feature film. Garry can be contacted at glewis@me3d.tv.

Jim Lammers is an animator, instructor, and reseller of Maya based in Kansas City, Missouri. A graduate of the University of Missouri's Electrical Engineering program, he switched to freelance animation within a few years of graduation and formed his company, Trinity Animation, in 1992. Since then, Jim has combined animation production with training and 3D software sales. Trinity Animation's web site is a popular source worldwide for 3D software and related tools. Jim coordinates an active animation user's group in Kansas City and continues to produce animation. He created 3D effects for the Sony/TriStar film Starship Troopers in 1997 under renowned Hollywood effects veteran, Peter Kuran, and his company, VCE. Jim's other past animation work includes visualization projects for clients such as Nestle, McDonald's, and Butler Manufacturing. Jim can be reached at jim@trinity3d.com.

With the powerful 3D modeling program Maya 5, you're limited only by your own imagination. To set it free, look no further than this indispensable guide! In these pages, veteran animator Jim Lammers (who brought life to the Sony/Tristar film Starship Troopers) takes you from a review of 3D fundamentals to full-blown Maya 5 content creation. In the process you'll learn about Maya's interface and tools; modeling with NURBS and polygons; applying materials and textures; rendering stills and animations; using particle systems, dynamics, and paint effects; and more. By detailing not just how Maya works but the 3D principles and fundamentals that guide its use, this volume will have your creating brave new worlds of your own in no time. Also included is complete coverage of all of Maya 5's new features, including improved rendering options and never-before-seen atmospheric effects made possible by extensions to Maya Fluid Effects. A companion CD includes video-captured movies that walk you through every tutorial in the book.