Hello and welcome to 3D Machines, the second book from Focal Press in the Digital Mayhem range. As with the first book in the series, 3D Landscapes, the format of the Digital Mayhem series brings you an unusual mixture of showcase images and tutorial workthroughs. The showcases are the best images from artists creating machinery, whether they are professionals working in the CG industry, or talented enthusiasts working by lamp light at home. The purpose of these is to inspire your own creativity and set the standard for what can be achieved. In each chapter there are one or more tutorials, detailing the workflow that the artists go through to create their incredible images. Pick up tips or get to know the process more intimately. What this book won’t tell you, is how to model a wheel using 3ds Max – it’s not a software guide, it’s a guide to great images by the people who made them.

The book is split into three sections: pre-viz for machines, the machine masters at work, and post production editing. The first and last sections are beginner-orientated with advice on various aspects of 3D that are worth considering before and after you create your images. The bulk of the book is the showcases and the tutorials. Everything in 3D Machines is arranged in a magazine-style format and all the content is entirely self-contained. This means that you don’t have to read it in order, just dive right in and enjoy anything that takes your fancy. Alternatively, head for the contents pages and peruse the chapters and descriptions of the 3D goodness awaiting you.

With over 300 pages to enjoy we hope that you feel entertained, inspired and encouraged to tackle your own 3D machine projects. Stay tuned for further releases in this exciting new series.

Duncan Evans

Series Editor