A 3D model and animation reference for programmers who wish to implement the use of 3D models in their games and engines. It covers today's most popular 3D model formats ranging from simple to complex.

No matter where you turn in the world of gaming, you are bound to notice the rapidly increasing use of 3D. If you are serious about game programming, you must understand the world of 3D modeling. This guide is designed to help the reader understand the most popular 3D modeling file formats. It also provides coverage of foundational material such as mathematics, skeletal animation and more. Even if you start knowing nothing about 3D character animation, by the end of the book you should be able to work with all the popular file formats, write readers and animate the meshes in real time in your applications. For maximum benefit, you must have experience with C++, know how to create a rudimentary 3D engine, and have an understanding of algebra and trigonometry.