Handbook of Computer Animation [Paperback]

Written by specialists in teaching computer animation, this text addresses key international topics of computer animation, such as: mathematics, modelling, rendering, and compositing. Each chapter discusses a particular topic and how it is applied, including state-of-the-art techniques that are used in computer animation. The handbook provides a complete and up-to-date picture of computer animation and will be a valuable reference source for programmers, technical directors and animators in computer animation, computer games and special effects and also undergraduate and postgraduate students. The editor, John Vince, has written and edited over 20 books on computer graphics, computer animation and virtual reality.One of the challenges facing professionals working in computer animationis keeping abreast of the latest developments and future trends - some ofwhich are determined by industry where the state-of-the-art iscontinuously being re-defined by the latest computer-generated filmspecial effects, while others arise from research projects whose resultsare quickly taken on board by programmers and animators working inindustry.This handbook will be an invaluable toolkit for programmers, technicaldirectors and professionals working in computer animation. A wide range oftopics are covered including:*Computer games*Evolutionary algorithms*Shooting and live action*Digital effects*Cubic curves and surfaces*Subdivision surfaces*Rendering and shadingWritten by a team of experienced practitioners, each chapter provides aclear and precise overview of each area, reflecting the dynamic andfast-moving field of computer animation. This is a complete andup-to-date reference book on the state-of-the-art techniques used incomputer animation.1 Computer and Video Game Design Issues.- 2 Evolutionary Algorithms in Modeling and Animation.- 3 Shooting Live Action for Combination with Computer Animation.- 4 Elements of Digital Effects.- 5 Cubic Polynomial Curves and Surfaces.- 6 Smooth Sulı