Transform flat drawings and concepts into impressive 3D visualizations with the comprehensive instruction you'll find in Mastering Autodesk VIZ 2008. Expert author Jon McFarland helps you get the most out of this latest version of Autodesk's powerful 3D design, modeling, and animation tool with an in-depth, tutorial-based approach grounded in real-world examples.

This new edition has been fully updated for Autodesk VIZ 2008 and is packed with professional techniques you can apply immediately to your own work for striking results. Whether you're new to VIZ or simply want to master the latest features, this book offers the step-by-step instructions you need to create, animate, and render realistic architectural visualizations with VIZ 2008.

Coverage includes:

• Creating complex shapes with surface modeling tools

• Efficiently managing design data

• Adding natural lighting effects

• Staging a virtual walk-through of your room designs for clients

• Applying radiosity to create lifelike views

• Using mental ray to achieve the most realistic rendering

• Understanding keyframes and function curve editing

• Producing design presentation views

• Acquiring 3D models and props from the Web

Discover and Use the New Improvements to File I/O, Splines, XRefs, and More

Produce Stunning, Photo-Realistic Imagery through Simpler, Faster Workflows

Create or Import Complex Scenes in a Fraction of the Time

Work Effectively with Lights, Materials, and Cameras

Render Drawings Faster and Better with mental ray 3.5

About the Author

Jon McFarland manages a design department at a property development company, where he uses AutoCAD and VIZ to create visualizations of proposed facility construction and expansions. An Autodesk Authorized Author, Jon has written or cowritten five books, including Mastering Autodesk VIZ 2007 (Sybex) and AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008: No Experience Required (Sybex). He has also taught VIZ, AutoCAD, and 3ds Max courses at the university level.