Building Interactive Worlds in 3D

Description

In Building Interactive Worlds in 3D readers will find turnkey tutorials that detail all the steps required to build simulations and interactions, utilize virtual cameras, virtual actors (with self-determined behaviors), and real-time physics including gravity, collision, and topography. With the free software demos included, 3D artists and developers can learn to build a fully functioning prototype. The book is dynamic enough to give both those with a programming background as well as those who are just getting their feet wet challenging and engaging tutorials in virtual set design, using Virtools. Other software discussed is: Lightwave, and Maya. The book is constructed so that, depending on your project and design needs, you can read the text or interviews independently and/or use the book as reference for individual tutorials on a project-by-project basis. Each tutorial is followed by a short interview with a 3D graphics professional in order to provide insight and additional advice on particular interactive 3D techniques-from user, designer, artist, and producer perspectives.

* Create interactive, 3D sets - virtual buildings, terrains, as well as other virtual prototypes for games, film/video pre-visualization, and virtual reality design for the Web from sketch to fully-working prototype

* Interviews with experts in the field provide additional insight into each tutorial

* Dozens of tutorials on CD-ROM, and dozens more on author's website

CONTENTS:

1 A Short History of Computer Simulations; 2 3D Basic Kit; 3 Adding Interactivity; 4 Animation Basics; 5 Interactive Lighting; 6 Virtual Cameras; 7 3D Sound; 8 User Interface and Input Devices; 9 Following a Terrain with a Remote Controlled Car; 10 Communication Environments; 11 Advanced Interactive 3D Characters; 12 Artificial Intelligence and Gameplay for Virtual Sets; 13 Multi-User and Database.