Alias Wavefront's homebrew learning? In the UK?

[JasonA]

I bought one A|W training book so far, and its not too bad really. I got Character Rigging and Animation. Most of the material could probably be found on the internet, but I appreciate the fact that the book goes through setting up a basic character rig from start to finish. It doesn't cover advanced facial rigging which was a bit dissapointing. was it worth $70? well.... not too sure about that.

My grade: B

[mtheory]

I paid $80 and would say it was well worth it..I'tll take you right through step by step...with movies in case you need it.

[stucggreen]

JakobG

The only way at present to buy the Alias wavefront Maya books/CDs/DVDs is through their online store which you'll find here http://store.aliaswavefront.com. They have a UK store now. The only thing to watch out for is the VAT bill that you'll eventually have to pay.

I could never find any home based training in the UK. So another option would be to find someone like Escape studios http://www.escapestudios.co.uk/ (expensive).

Good books for maya character animation/rigging;

Beginner to intermediate

Inspired 3D Character Animation
(All the inspired books)
mastering maya
Gnomon DVDs (http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/title.shtml)
Learning maya: character rigging and animation (alias wavefront)

I could go on. Incidently I've bought nearly every book/CD/DVD out there.

[Gazzamataz]

JakobG

Ello mate! I have the book Learning Maya: Character Rigging & Animation and you will not get it through anyone else other than A/W themselves. Unfortunately it is expensive about £65 over ere but I learnt a lot from it, mind you I have had previous character experience from using Animation Master for the last two years.

I have also recently bought 'Maya Character Animation' from Sybex:

www.sybex.co.uk

This is an 800+ tome and covers modelling, texturing, rigging and animating characters. I haven't started it properly yet just flicked through but it looks pretty damn good! Probably a better buy than the A/W one.

As far as learning studios out there you already know of Escape Studios who look good but are pricey there is a cheaper course from The Finishing School:

www.fschool.net

If you want to cut your teeth into Maya a small cost head on over to the Simply Maya website:

www.simplymay.com

They have some good forums and some very good low cost tutorials coveing al aspects of Maya at all levels.

Hope this helps!

[SPENEN]

I think "Maya: Secrets of the pros" is very good.
It's not so very full of tutorials, but it sais how to plan projects and so on.

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