Between 1995 and 2003 I wrote three editions of a textbook explaining the principles of three-dimensional computer animation. The book deliberately avoided software-specific issues (menu selections, etc.), focusing instead on the concepts, principles and techniques that are/were common to all 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software. All the various 3D software packages share these common principles and techniques. Understanding what underlies a given software's implementation allows one to use that software more intelligently. It also allows one to transfer to another software readily.

Each edition revised and expanded on the previous edition. Each of the editions was also translated into several foreign languages. Foreign language editions were: Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Taiwan), Chinese (Republic of China).

Hardback, 395 pages,450 illustrations.

Principles of Three-dimensional Computer Animation. Michael O'Rourke. W.W.Norton & Co., 2003, 1998, 1995