[Digital] Lighting & Rendering teaches essential skills and concepts you can apply in any 3D rendering package, and includes tips and examples for Maya(tm), LightWave(r) 3D, Softimage|XSI(tm), 3D Studio MAX(r), Mental Ray(r), and other leading programs. But software is not the focus of this book-it's about what you can create:

• Master Hollywood lighting techniques to produce professional results in any 3D package.
• Stage and frame your 3D animation for cinematic storytelling.
• Composite 3D models into real-world environments with perfectly matched illumination, shadows, and reflections.
• Render multilayer, multipass shots for professional visual effects production.
• Simulate the results of natural color temperatures, f-stops, and exposure times for photorealistic renderings.
• Understand the art and science behind raytracing, global illumination, radiosity, photon mapping, and caustics.
• Create rich texture maps that give flesh to your characters and local flavor to your 3D scenes.ng
  
  "The definitive text on lighting for computer graphics. It's an excellent resource for anyone creating 3D content." --George Maestri

Jeremy Birn is a freelance animator, teacher, author, and 3D artist. He works in and around Hollywood, California, and at his home in Marina Del Rey. Jeremy works with several programs, including Softimage 3D, Alias Power Animator, and more recently Alias|Wavefront's Maya and Avid's Softimage|XSI. k.