In Silico: 3D animation And Simulation of Cell Biology With Maya And Mel

Description

In Silico introduces Maya programming into one of the most fascinating application areas of 3D graphics: biological visualization. In five building-block tutorials, this book prepares animators to work with visualization problems in cell biology. The book assumes no deep knowledge of cell biology nor 3D graphics programming. An accompanying DVD-ROM includes code derived from the tutorials, the working Maya computer files, and sample animated movies. The interior of the book contains generous Maya screen captures, tables, and flowcharts to compliment the instruction and tutorials. Full 4 color illustrations rendered from the authors' working files illustrate the capacity to produce striking pictures from the rendered models being created. Throughout the text, key words are set in bold type and subsequently defined in a glossary. Page margin tips and tricks compliment the adjacent copy, and icons direct the reader to specific references within the Maya Help library. The visualizations in the book are stunning examples of the state of the art.

*Teaches artists and scientists to create realistic digital images of humans and nature with popular CG program, Maya

*This self-contained study guide includes background, foundations, and practice

*Step-by-step example programs and end-result demonstrations help readers develop thie own portfolios

*Gorgeous four color screen shots throughout

CONTENTS:

Preface
Part 1 Setting the stage
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Computers and the organism
Chapter 3 Animating biology
Part 2 A foundation in Maya
Chapter 4 Maya basics
Chapter 5 Modeling geometry
Chapter 6 Animation
Chapter 7 Dynamics
Chapter 8 Shading
Chapter 9 Cameras
Chapter 10 Lighting
Chapter 11 Action! Maya rendering
Chapter 12 MEL Scripting
Chapter 13 Data Input/Output
Part 3 Biology in silico: Maya in action
Chapter 14 Building a protein
Chapter 15 Self Assembly
Chapter 16 Modeling a mobile cell
Chapter 17 Growing an ECM scaffold
Chapter 18 Scaffold invasions: Modeling 3D populations of mobile cells
Chapter 19 Conclusion
Glossary
Further Reading
Index