Book Recommendation - Animation Methods by David Rodriguez

Animation Methods by David Rodriguez is an excellent book on learning animation in Maya.  It's a book that focuses primarily on 3D Character Animation, a step-by-step guide for learning Maya, and the Maya animation tools.

It also has useful sections on how to get into the industry, how to make a great demo reel, and how to get a job in animation. We think this is a very useful manual for learning the craft of animation.

It is also an unusual book in that it makes extensive use of QR codes - meaning you can use your smartphone to scan the codes and then view a 3D animated clip of the lesson. So, not only can you read the lesson, but you can also see and understand it through a video demonstration.

And what about David Rodriguez?  He certainly seems to know his stuff.  His movie credits include: Star Wars: Unleashed The Force II, Piranha 3D, Star Wars Kinect, Ice Age - Continental Drift and Arctic Games.  The book is written with the authority of an animator who has learned his craft. 

There is also a website that goes with the book, where you can download free rigs, see example scene files, have access to animation scripts, and watch Rodriguez's animation clips online.
Rodriguez uses in his book many of the same free rigs that we recommend at Escape Studios. 

Of course, no book on animation is perfect, but Rodriguez's book is a very useful - and maybe even necessary - addition to the Maya animator's library.  It is certainly the only book on the market that teaches animation in Maya, step by step.

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for our new BA/MA starting in September 2016, follow this link.