Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Alexander, D. E. (2002)
Nature's Flyers: Birds, Insects, and the Biomechanics of Flight
,
John Hopkins University Press. This is a very thorough text on all manner of flight
in nature: insects, birds and bats, even the gliding action of seeds, it's all here. The
text is written in such a way that makes technical issues easily accessible, even for
the nonspecialist.
Hamilton, N., and Luttgens, K. (2002)
Kinesiology: Scientific Basis of Human Motion
,
McGraw-Hill, New York. The average animator might find this a rather technical
and dry text, though it does give some very useful and detailed information on
the anatomy of human muscular/skeletal structures, which it covers in great
detail.
Muybridge, E. (1957)
Animals in Motion
, Dover, New York. After all these years, this
book provides a very useful resource for animators. The images are not always
of the best quality, but given the time period in which they were created, they
provide a fantastic addition to any animator's reference library.
Muybridge, E. (1955)
The Human Figure in Motion
, Dover, New York. As above, but
even better.
Practical Guides
Brown, B. (2002)
Cinematography, Theory & Practice,
Focal Press, Oxford. If you are
looking for one book that will assist you with the techniques and principles of
cinematography, look no further. A very useful topic.
Culhane, S. (1988)
From Script to Screen
, Columbus, London. Very lively in content
from one of the great classical animators. It seems a little dated in the way it is
written, but the principles that are laid out here are timeless.
Eisner, W. (1985)
Comics and Sequential Art
, Poorhouse Press, Florida. A irst-rate topic
for animators who want to develop the craft of storyboarding and sequential
imaging.
Halas, J., and Whitaker, H. (1981)
Timing for Animation
, Focal Press, Oxford.
The
must-
have topic. If there was one topic any student animator should own, it's this one.
Written in an accessible style, it covers all the principles of animation with easy-
to-understand examples and plenty of illustrations. It is a little old-fashioned,
perhaps, but it's none the worse for that. Affordable for most students, it is in my
opinion
the
animator's bible.
Hooks, E. (2000)
Acting for Animators: A Complete Guide to Performance Animation
,
Greenwood Press. There are few topics that cover this topic, and no doubt
animators will find this one a useful addition to their collections. It is an easily
accessible read, though it could have dealt with the topics in more depth. This
is a minor criticism; I would recommend that all animators take a look at this
volume.
Kuperberg, M. (2002)
A Guide to Computer Animation
, Focal Press, Oxford. An okay intro-
duction, though students will have to dig deeper to find more specifics on software.
Laybourn, K. (1998)
The Animation Topic
, Three Rivers Press, NY. A great topic. This covers
a lot of ground. Still, a little old-fashioned despite some updated information that
covers aspects of computer animation. A very good addition to a collection and a
real must-have topic for teachers of animation and those working in mixed media.
Shaw, S. (2003)
Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation,
Focal Press, Oxford. An
excellent book that covers all the essential basics of modeling and preparing to
make 3D stop-motion animation, including materials and armatures. Few if any
topics deal with this subject in such a clear and concise manner, which makes it a
