Dariush Derakhshani - Introducing Autodesk Maya 2015: Autodesk Official Press

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Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

ISBN: 978-1-118-86284-1

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ISBN: 978-1-118-86282-7 (ebk.)

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To Mom

Dariush Derakhshani is a VFX and CG supervisor and educator in Los Angeles, California. Dariush has been working in CG for more than 17 years and teaching classes in CG and effects production for close to 16. He is the best-selling author of a handful of books, including the popular Introducing Maya books. He is also co-creator of Learning Autodesk Maya: A Video Introduction, available from Wiley. You can find out information on this video series and more at www.koosh3d.com.

Dariush started using the Autodesk AutoCAD software in his architecture days and then migrated to using 3D programs when his firms principal architects needed to show their clients design work on the computer. Starting with Alias PowerAnimator version 6, which he encountered when he enrolled in the University of Southern California Film Schools animation program, and working for a short while in Autodesk 3ds Max before moving on to Maya jobs, Dariush has been using Autodesk animation software for the past 18 years.

He received an MFA in film, video, and computer animation in 1997 from USC. Dariush also holds a BA in architecture and theater from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and worked at a New Jersey architecture firm before moving to Los Angeles for film school. He has worked on feature films, music videos, and countless commercials as a 3D animator and VFX supervisor, garnering honors from the London International Advertising Awards, the ADDY Awards, the Telly Awards, and a nomination from the Visual Effects Society Awards. He is bald and has flat feet.

As this book goes into its 11th edition, I am thrilled that the Introducing Maya book is a favorite resource for students and teachers of the Autodesk Maya software. Education is the foundation for a happy life, and with that in mind, Id like to thank the outstanding teachers from whom I have had the privilege to learn. You can remember what youve been taughtor, just as important, you can remember those who have taught you.

I also want to thank my students, who have taught me as much as they have learned themselves. Juan Gutierrez, Victor J. Garza, Robert Jauregui, and Peter Gend deserve special thanks for helping me complete the models and images for this book. Thanks to my colleagues and friends at work for showing me everything Ive learned and making it interesting to be in the effects business. Special thanks to HP for its support and keeping me on the cutting edge of workstations and displays.