In Silico

In Silico: 3D Animation and Simulation of Cell Biology with Maya and MEL (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Computer Graphics)

In Silico introduces Maya programming into one of the most fascinating application areas of 3D graphics: biological visualization. In five building-block tutorials, this book prepares animators to work with visualization problems in cell biology. The book assumes no deep knowledge of cell biology or 3D graphics programming. An accompanying DVD-ROM includes code derived from the tutorials, the working Maya computer files, and sample animated movies.

• Teaches artists and scientists to create realistic digital images of humans and nature with the popular CG program, Maya
• This self-contained study guide includes background, foundations, and practice
• Step-by-step example programs and end-result demonstrations help readers develop their own portfolios
• Gorgeous four-color screen shots throughout

Table of Contents

Part 1: Setting the stage
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Computers and the organism
Chapter 3. Animating biology

Part 2: A foundation in Maya
Chapter 4. Maya basics
Chapter 5. Modeling geometry
Chapter 6. Animation
Chapter 7. Dynamics
Chapter 8. Shading
Chapter 9. Cameras
Chapter 10. Lighting
Chapter 11. Action! Maya rendering
Chapter 12. MEL Scripting
Chapter 13. Data Input/Output

Part 3: Biology in silico-Maya in action
Chapter 14. Building a protein
Chapter 15. Self Assembly
Chapter 16. Modeling a mobile cell
Chapter 17. Growing an ECM scaffold
Chapter 18. Scaffold invasions: Modeling 3D populations of mobile cells
Chapter 19. Conclusion