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The book uses the first three chapters to discuss preconstruction considerations such as working from model sketches, using storyboards, building animatics, and building stand-in models. Building models in layers and integrating FormZ with other 3D programs is also explored. It's great to see important topics like this covered--3D modeling and animation is hard enough without having to reinvent the production wheel every time you start a project.
Specific FormZ modeling techniques, such as profile lofting, surface trimming and blending, and conformal modeling, are explained in the next set of chapters. Each chapter contains a generous number of illustrations, complemented with an eight-page color plate section in the middle of the book.
The latter half of the book is a set of tutorial projects that utilize previously covered techniques and introduce some new ones. This is the fun section, where one builds entire landscapes (terrain modeling), a sports car (mechanical and contour modeling), and hands and a face (organic modeling). The accompanying CD-ROM includes the project files for each chapter in case you're having trouble following along or just want to tear apart a project without worrying. Overall, this is a solid book for new users of FormZ. --Mike Caputo
From Library Journal
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
