“The GPU Gems series features a collection of the most essential
algorithms required by Next-Generation 3D Engines.”
-Martin Mittring, Lead Graphics Programmer, Crytek
This third volume of the best-selling GPU Gems series provides a
snapshot of today’s latest Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) programming
techniques. The programmability of modern GPUs allows developers to not
only distinguish themselves from one another but also to use this
awesome processing power for non-graphics applications, such as physics
simulation, financial analysis, and even virus detection-particularly
with the CUDA architecture. Graphics remains the leading application for
GPUs, and readers will find that the latest algorithms create
ultra-realistic characters, better lighting, and post-rendering
compositing effects. Major topics include:

- Geometry
- Light and Shadows
- Rendering
- Image Effects
- Physics Simulation
- GPU Computing Contributors are from the following corporations and
universities:

3Dfacto Adobe Systems Apple Budapest University of Technology and
Economics CGGVeritas The Chinese University of Hong Kong Cornell
University Crytek Czech Technical University in Prague Dartmouth College
Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment Eindhoven University of
Technology Electronic Arts Havok Helsinki University of Technology
Imperial College London Infinity Ward Juniper Networks LaBRI-INRIA,
University of Bordeaux mental images Microsoft Research Move Interactive
NCsoft Corporation NVIDIA Corporation Perpetual Entertainment Playlogic
Game Factory Polytime Rainbow Studios SEGA Corporation UFRGS (Brazil)
Ulm University University of California, Davis University of Central
Florida University of Copenhagen University of Girona University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
University of Tokyo University of Waterloo Section Editors include
NVIDIA engineers: Cyril Zeller, Evan Hart, Ignacio Castaño, Kevin
Bjorke, Kevin Myers, and Nolan Goodnight. The accompanying DVD includes
complementary examples and sample programs.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0321515269/

Learn to build, render, and animate your own digital models and scenes,
and begin to develop professional-level Maya skills with Introducing
Maya 2008. This new edition of a perennial bestseller is the ideal
initiation to 3D and Maya. Starting with the basics, it builds from the
ground up, combining straightforward text with practical examples that
make it fun and easy to learn Maya’s core tools while introducing the
latest Maya 2008 features.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/047018356X/

Turn 3D models into film-worthy digital animations by mastering mental
ray rendering once and for all. This must-have guide is the only book on
the market to focus exclusively on mental ray in Maya, 3ds Max, and XSI,
and it’s packed with techniques and insights you can’t get anywhere
else. Best of all, the book’s advanced rendering concepts apply to other
rendering software as well, including V-Ray, Brazil, Maxwell and
RenderMan. You’ll get a high-level look at techniques that usually take
professionals years to figure out.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0470008547/

Create believable CG character models with this unique book. The
stunning color images show just what you can achieve, and the detailed
step-by-step tutorials show exactly how to achieve them. Every technique
and tip is backed up with practical tutorials, using the models, to
offer a crash course to this vital skill. Jason Patnode takes you from
low to high-resolution modeling – helping you span the gap between game
and film industry skills. Based on Maya 2008 and ZBrush 3.0. Youll
learn: Pipeline and modeling guidelines Overview of Maya Introduction to
ZBrush modeling Concept art Anatomy Creating a video game character
Creating a hyper-real character Creating a photo-real character UVs and
texturing How to create a demo reel

* Master professional techniques and workflow processes with clear, easy
to follow tutorials
* Interviews with professionals connect the concepts to real world
workflow and applications

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0240520343/

Graphics and game developers must learn to program for mobility. This book will teach you how.

“This book – written by some of the key technical experts…provides a comprehensive but practical and easily understood introduction for any software engineer seeking to delight the consumer with rich 3D interactive experiences on their phone. Like the OpenGL ES and M3G standards it covers, this book is destined to become an enduring standard for many years to come.”
- Lincoln Wallen, CTO, Electronic Arts, Mobile

This book is an escalator, which takes the field to new levels. This is especially true because the text ensures that the topic is easily accessible to everyone with some background in computer science…The foundations of this book are clear, and the authors are extremely knowledgeable about the subject.
- Tomas Akenine-Möller, bestselling author and Professor of Computer Science at Lund University

“This book is an excellent introduction to M3G. The authors are all experienced M3G users and developers, and they do a great job of conveying that experience, as well as plenty of practical advice that has been proven in the field.”
- Sean Ellis, Consultant Graphics Engineer, ARM Ltd

The exploding popularity of mobile computing is undeniable. From cell phones to portable gaming systems, the global demand for multifunctional mobile devices is driving amazing hardware and software developments. 3D graphics are becoming an integral part of these ubiquitous devices, and as a result, Mobile 3D Graphics is arguably the most rapidly advancing area of the computer graphics discipline.

Mobile 3D Graphics is about writing real-time 3D graphics applications for mobile devices. The programming interfaces explained and demonstrated in this must-have reference enable dynamic 3D media on cell phones, GPS systems, portable gaming consoles and media players.

The text begins by providing thorough coverage of background essentials, then presents detailed hands-on examples, including extensive working code in both of the dominant mobile APIs, OpenGL ES and M3G.

C/C++ and Java Developers, graphic artists, students, and enthusiasts would do well to have a programmable mobile phone on hand to try out the techniques described in this book.

The authors, industry experts who helped to develop the OpenGL ES and M3G standards, distill their years of accumulated knowledge within these pages, offering their insights into everything from sound mobile design principles and constraints, to efficient rendering, mixing 2D and 3D, lighting, texture mapping, skinning and morphing.

Along the way, readers will benefit from the hundreds of included tips, tricks and caveats.

*Written by key industry experts who helped develop the standards of the field

*Hands-on code examples are presented throughout the book, and are also offered on the companion website

*Provides examples in the two most popular programing interfaces, OpenGL ES and M3G

LightWave v9 Texturing takes you behind the fine art of texturing and
surfacing interesting and detailed textures for your 3D objects using
LightWave 3D. Texturing and prepping your objects for texturing is a
task that many artists find intimidating and/or confusing. LightWave v9
Texturing breaks down this process and makes it easier to understand by
guiding you through LightWave’s powerful surfacing toolset, tutorials,
and exercises. LightWave v9 now offers a nodal shading system, which is
the standard tool in the visual effects industry for the creation of
surfaces. This book will show you how easy, yet extremely powerful and
flexible this new system is, allowing you to dive in and create great
surfaces immediately.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1598220292/

LightWave v9 Lighting is the only book on the market from a professional
artist explaining the theory and application of lighting with LightWave
3D. The book has the following key features: Describes step-by-step
everything you need to know about the qualities of light; Clearly
explains modern lighting concepts; Steps through LightWave’s impressive
toolset, describing the qualities and uses of each tool and feature;
Addresses lighting design issues, dealing with everything from the
motivation of a light source to the emotional impact of color on the
scene.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/159822039X/

Essential LightWave v9 offers an unparalleled development strategy for
graphic designers, illustrators, video producers, motion graphic
artists, visual effects artists, and animators who are interested in
getting the most out of LightWave 3D. As the book touches on nearly
every aspect of the software, it is ideal for all skill levels.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1598220241/

Learn cutting-edge 3D animation techniques

Create breathtaking content for film, TV, games, print media, and the
Web using Autodesk Maya and the detailed information contained in this
comprehensive resource. Maya experts and special effects gurus Tom Meade
and Shinsaku Arima cover every step in the Maya production workflow
using easy-to-follow tutorials, real-world examples, and insider tips
and tricks.

Maya 8: The Complete Reference shows you how to use the latest version
of Maya to its full potential. You’ll learn to integrate motion, create
complex effects, manipulate lighting, render your final animation, and
prepare for postproduction.

- Build 3D models using polygons, NURBS, and subdivision surfaces
- Use displacement maps to enhance geometry
- Create and skin skeletons
- Connect the attributes of any nodes together
- Build a control rig to manipulate skeletons
- Create your own tools using MEL scripts
- Master the Hypershade to control textures, cameras, and lights
- Work with the Artisan tools, Paint Effects tools, and 3D Paint tools

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0071485961/

This book covers fundamental aspects of spatial data modelling
specifically on the aspect of three-dimensional (3D) modelling and
structuring. Realisation of “true” 3D GIS spatial system needs a lot of
efforts, and the process is taking place in various research centres and
universities in some countries. The development of spatial data
modelling for 3D objects is the focus of this book. The book begins with
some problems and motivations, the fundamental theories, the
implementation, and some applications developed based on the concepts.
The book is intended for various geoinformation related professionals
like GIS engineers, GIS software developers, photogrammetrists, land
surveyors, mapping specialists, researchers, postgraduate students, and
lecturers.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/3540741666/