Master the art of using combustion to combine digital elements such as a 3ds max rendering with video footage or stills! The newest addition to our Ground Rules Series, this how-to manual is one of the first resources available for computer artists and animators who want to learn how to make optimal use of combustion- a powerful Macintosh- and Windows-based desktop solution from Discreet that provides a unified paint, animation, and 3D composition environment in which cutting-edge graphics and compelling visual effects can be created. Step-by-step tutorials based on real-world applications of combustion take center stage in this book, acquainting beginner through intermediate users with 90% of the features of the combustion software while introducing professional 2D and 3D compositing and painting techniques. Fast-paced and thoroughly engaging, these tutorials provide a swift and effective means of gaining first-hand insights into the combustion interface and workflow. Because the tutorials are based on real-world applications, all new skills gained as a result of working through this book are directly relevant to the needs of technically-savvy computer artists and animators working in today's highly sophisticated post-production and 3D animation environments.

Michael Todd Peterson has been involved in computer graphics for 10 years, running his own animation studio and writing various books on 3ds max, AutoCAD«, and combustion. He currently lives in the New Orleans area where he works on various animation and software projects.Alex Hessler graduated from Tulane University with a BSE in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Robotics and Automation. He has worked in the field of 3D effects and animation for 4 years. In addition to working on plug-ins for Digimation, a leading maker of plug-ins for 3ds max and combustion, he has been a successful freelance 3d artist. He is currently a Systems Engineer at Framestore CFC in London.

Introduction to Post Effects.Introduction to the Combustion Interface.Quick Start Tutorial.Paint 101.More on Paint.Compositing 101.More on Compositing.Working with Audio.Integration with MAX.Integration with Edit.Advanced Compositing.Advanced Compositing 2.