Introduction to Maya 2009
Discover over nine hours of project-based training to learn the fundamentals of modeling, texturing, rigging, animating, dynamics, lighting, and rendering in Maya. Software required: Maya 2009 and up.
What you'll learn
Discover over nine hours of project-based training to learn the fundamentals of modeling, texturing, rigging, animating, dynamics, lighting, and rendering in Maya. Taught by four Digital-Tutors instructors, each teaching their core areas of expertise to provide an essential guide to utilizing the powerful tools available in Maya. Ideal for new and beginning artists. Popular highlights include: Interface Overview, NURBS Modeling, Polygon Modeling, Subdivision Surfaces, Texturing, Procedural Textures, Hypershade, UV Layout, Building Control Rigs, Custom Attributes, Writing Expressions, Setting Key Frames, Path Animation, Dynamics, Particle Shader, Lighting, Image Planes, Light Linking, Environments, Displacement Maps, Rendering. Software required: Maya 2009 and up.
Table of contents
- Overview of the UI 11m
- Saving Files and File Types 2m
- Setting up Your First Project 4m
- Creating Your First Object and Camera Navigation 3m
- Viewing Geometry and Shading in Your Camera View 4m
- How to Use the Qwerty Tools 5m
- Channel Box and Layer Editor 11m
- Editing Objects Using the Attribute Editor 6m
- Grouping and Parenting Objects Using the Outliner and Hypergraph 9m
- Working with the Maya Hotbox 9m
- Making Selections Using Selection Masks 8m
- Writing Your First MEL Script 7m
- Working with Shelves and Creating Your Own 6m
- Modeling Project Overview 1m
- Lofting the Engine Shell 7m
- Revolving the Engine Interior 7m
- Adding Primitives to the Engine 8m
- Duplicating Fan Blades 7m
- Extruding Geometry for the Intake 11m
- Combining Geometry for the Vent 5m
- Extruding Pipes with Curves 9m
- Drawing Curves on Surfaces 4m
- Building the Thrust Ring with Instances 6m
- Finishing the Engine 7m
- Creating the Cab from a Primitive 6m
- Detailing the Cab 7m
- Adding a Subdivision Windshield 8m
- Detailing the Cab Seat 8m
- Adding Detail to the Top of the Cab 7m
- Using Primitives to Add Cable Connectors 7m
- Extruding the Cables 8m
- Using Bridge to Add Cable Struts 11m
- Finishing and Naming the Racer 8m
- Texturing Project Overview 1m
- Overview of the Hypershade 4m
- Applying and Manipulating Simple Materials 10m
- Adding Ramps 7m
- Applying Multiple Materials to Objects 5m
- Working with Transparency 5m
- Adding Procedural Texture to the Cables 6m
- Working with File Textures 4m
- Working with UVs 12m
- Combining Ramps and File Textures 8m
- Adding Bump Maps 6m
- Combining Procedural Nodes 6m
- Painting Textures in Maya 8m
- Introduction to the Rigging and Animation Process 2m
- Creating Control Curves for Your Objects 9m
- Using Display Layers to Organize Our Rig 4m
- Organizing the Scene and Using Selection Handles 4m
- Creating Your Own Custom Attributes 3m
- Using the Connection Editor to Drive Values 6m
- Writing Your First Expression 6m
- Adding a Speed Setting for the Expression 5m
- Using Set Driven Key to Simplify the Rigging Process 10m
- Drawing Your First Joint Chain 8m
- Binding the Geometry Onto Joints 7m
- Making the Scene Animator-friendly 3m
- Adding Random Movement Through Expressions 10m
- Removing Channels from the Channel Box 4m
- Setting Key Frames, Time Slider and the Graph Editor 3m
- Managing Key Frames with the Graph Editor 4m
- Creating a Cycling Animation 4m
- Animating Objects Using Path Animation 6m
- Using the Auto Key Feature 7m
- Modifying Key Frames Using the Time Slider 5m
- Creating Playblasts to Preview the Animation 4m
- Lighting and Rendering Project Overview 1m
- Overview of Various Maya Light Types 5m
- Exploring Common Attributes of Maya Lights 10m
- Adding Depth-map and Raytraced Shadows to Maya Lights 10m
- Using Image Planes to Create a Renderable Environment 8m
- Matching Light Sources to a Photographic Environment 9m
- Using the Attribute Spread Sheet for Editing Multiple Objects 9m
- Employing the Use Background Shader to Isolate Shadows 7m
- Using Light Linking to Control Object Illumination 6m
- Adjusting Rendered Smoothness of NURBS Geometry 4m
- Adding Displacement Maps to Shading Networks 8m
- Batch Rendering Animated Sequence from Maya 13m
About the authors
Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Sunder has made great headway in both the interactive game design and 3D animation worlds. Throughout his career, Sunder has earned degrees in computer information science, multimedia & game design, as well as 3D character animation. He's fully devoted to providing breathtaking and out-of-the-norm experiences to as many people as possible. With a powerful skillset in Houdini and years of educational clout, Sunder aims to give understandable solutions to complex to... more
Kyle was one of the first authors for Digital-Tutors, now a Pluralsight company. and has been a part of the team for over 10 years. Kyle began his career in computer graphics education as a college instructor and worked as a Digital-Tutors rendering tutor and curriculum manager since 2002. Kyle has contributed to many of the most popular projects and helped the Digital-Tutors team win awards throughout the company's history. Kyle has had the honor of having his art exhibited at the New York ... more
Justin thrives as a lead modeling author at Pluralsight. Growing up, Justin found a deep interest for the computer graphics industry after watching movies like Jurassic Park, Toy Story, and The Abyss. His ambition would lead him to work at Sony Imageworks in Los Angeles on movies like Monster House and Surf's Up. Justin has also had numerous articles, tutorials, and images published in 3D World and 3D Artist. As an author, Justin enjoys collaborating with fellow authors, especially on project... more