Book excerpt: Turn Your Ideas Into High-Impact 3D Models and Animations Transform flat drawings and concepts into impressive 3D visualizations that will amaze your clients with the comprehensive instruction you'll find in Mastering Autodesk VIZ 2007. Written by VIZ experts, this book shows you how to get the most out of the latest version of Autodesk's powerful 3D design, modeling, and animation tool with an in-depth, tutorial-based approach grounded in real-world examples. This new edition has been fully updated and revised to cover all of Autodesk VIZ 2007's new features--asset tracking, revamped Xrefs, an updated interface, and the improved rendering and editing tools--and it's packed with professional techniques you can apply immediately to your own work for striking results. Whether you're new to VIZ or simply want to master the latest features, this book offers the clear explanations and step-by-step instructions you need to create, animate, and render realistic architectural visualizations with VIZ 2007. Coverage includes: * Creating complex shapes with surface modeling tools * Using, organizing, and editing objects and meshes * Efficiently managing design data * Adding natural lighting effects * Staging a virtual walk-through of your room designs for clients * Applying radiosity to create lifelike views * Employing mental ray to achieve high-res rendering * Using AutoCAD and Photoshop(r) with VIZ * Exporting content to the Web Featured on the CD You'll find a trial version of VIZ 2007 plus project files for all of the book's exercises. Master VIZ 2007's great new features, including asset tracking, scene states, new modeling and texturing enhancements, batch rendering, and improved interoperability with other Autodesk products. Create 3D models quickly and intuitively using the new edit poly tools and Sweep modifier. Work effectively with lights, materials, and cameras. Animate your models and create interactive views. George Omura was cited as favorite CAD author by members of the Autodesk User Group International (AUGI) in AUGIWorld magazine's "Best of Everything CAD" issue, November/December 2003. www.sybex.com