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Professional Tips for Modeling Complex Shapes: Part 2

by Paul Conner

In this Maya tutorial, we'll learn some key fundamental concepts for modeling polygonal forms. Software required: Your Preferred 3D Application.

What you'll learn

In this Maya tutorial, we'll learn some key fundamental concepts for modeling polygonal forms. We'll be modeling some basic examples with each designed to challenge you in a specific area of modeling. These concepts can then be applied to any model that you are working on. We'll cover troubleshooting your models, breaking down forms into basic shapes and using primitives to create more complex forms as well as identifying primary, secondary, and tertiary forms. We'll also discuss correct edge flow, geometry amount, edge tension, some really great tips and tricks and understanding your place in the production pipeline. By the end of this Maya training, you'll have a greater understanding of creating correctly formed geometry and how to troubleshoot if issues arise. This tutorial is done using Maya, but any preferred 3D modeling application can be used as the focus is more on workflows and best practices, than software or tools. Software required: Your Preferred 3D Application.

About the author

Paul Conner is a modeler and digital sculptor based in Denver Colorado. He has been working in the film and broadcast industries for over 20 years. Paul originally started teaching as a Maya Certified Trainer, but now is the Founder, Instructor, and Industry Relations Lead at the Digital Animation Center at the University of Colorado. He continues to do freelance work, and most recently, he was an IPAX Fellow at Sony Pictures Imageworks, where he had the pleasure of working with assets from The ... more

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