An introduction to 3D game animation covers such topics as storyboarding, creating scenery, working with 3D coordinates, keyframing, NURBS modeling, lighting, rigging, skinning, and particle effects Suitable for readers intrigued by 3D video games as a hobby or a potential career, this book offers an introduction to the world of 3D game animation and provides step-by-step instructions on creating storyboards, scenery, characters, and even software. It covers topics such as working with 3D coordinates, keyframing, NURBS modeling, and lighting. Introduction. Part I: Creating 3D Content for Games. Chapter 1: Getting Started with 3D Game Animation. Chapter 2: Game and Art Design, and Creating Storyboards. Chapter 3: Starting with Traditional Animation Basics. Part II: Creating Interfaces, Modeling Scenery, and Texturing Backgrounds. Chapter 4: Creating Game User Interfaces. Chapter 5: Modeling Scenery and Props. Chapter 6: Adding Details with Materials. Chapter 7: Mapping Textures. Chapter 8: Creating Effective Lighting. Part III: Designing, Modeling, and Animating Game Characters. Chapter 9: Techniques for Modeling Characters. Chapter 10: Discovering the Basics of 3D Animation. Chapter 11: Animating Characters. Chapter 12: Animating Facial Movements. Chapter 13: Automating Reactions with Dynamics. Part IV: Animating Game Cut Scenes. Chapter 14: Animating Scene Elements. Chapter 15: Animating with Particles. Chapter 16: Rendering an Animation. Part V: The Part of Tens. Chapter 17: Ten Types of Tools Used by Game Companies. Chapter 18: Ten Creative Jobs in the Animation Industry. Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Land a Job as a 3D Game Animator. Appendix A: Using Game Engine Tools. Appendix B: Glossary of Animation Terms. Appendix C: Directory of Animation Schools. Index.