book

Getting Started in 3D with Maya

by Adam Watkins

November 2012

Beginner

428 pages

10h 33m

English

Routledge

Read now

Unlock full access

High-Rez 3DLow-Rez 3DWorkflowAn Idea, a Sketch, Lots of Research, and New InspirationResearchModelingUV LayoutTextureRigging and SkinningAnimationLighting and RenderingFlexibility in the ProcessConclusion
A Bit of HistorySo What Is It?What You Need to Run ItProcessorMemoryVideo ProcessorMonitorThree Button MouseConclusionHow Maya “Thinks”InterfaceView PanelTool BoxTutorial 2.1 Tool Box ExplorationThe Move ToolThe Rotate ToolThe Scale ToolPower of Maya’s Selection SystemLasso ToolAdjusting SelectionsObjects versus ComponentsPaint Selection ToolSoft Modification ToolUniversal ManipulatorShow Manipulator Tool and Last Tool UsedKeyboard ShortcutsChannel BoxOutlinerModesInterface Wrap UpProjectsTutorial 2.2 Setting Projects for “Escaping the Madness”Conclusion

The PolygonPartsTraits of PolygonPolycountsModeling ModesEscaping the MadnessGathering ResearchTutorial 3.1 Architectural Polygonal Game Modeling: Escaping the MadnessSetting the ProjectSaving a New SceneLaying the FoundationRoughing Out the SceneScaling and Positioning the Walls with SnappingDuplicatingBooleanComponent Level EditingExtruding PolygonsConclusionTutorial 3.2 Prop Polygonal Game Modeling: Escaping the MadnessCreating an End TableConstructing the FrameInsert Edge Loop ToolCut Faces ToolBridgeBevelConclusionTutorial 3.3 NURBS Modeling in ArchitectureCurves (Splines)SurfacesSmoothNURBS for TrimImportConclusionHomework
Tutorial 4.1 Game Character ModelingSome NotesGetting StartedImage Planes and Setting Up to WorkDisplay LayersCreate Polygon ToolMerge to CenterCreating Dynamic Mirrored GeometrySculpt Geometry ToolSoft Modification ToolAppend to Polygon ToolInteractive Split ToolMirror GeometryConclusionHomework
UVsUV Texture EditorManeuvering with UV SpaceUV Texture Editor InterfaceSelecting ComponentsShellsUV Maps, Snapshots, and the Purpose for It AllProjectionsGetting to ItTutorial 5.1 UV Layout for Architecture and Level DesignDummy MaterialAutomatic MappingPlanar MappingSewing and Moving and Sewing UV EdgesUV SnapshotsCut UV EdgesSaving Out UV SnapshotWrapping UpConclusionTutorial 5.2 Organic Form UV LayoutsThe HeadCylindrical MappingSmooth UVsRefining the Face RegionHalf the Work, Twice the ResultsArmor PiecesThe Belt and More Cylindrical MappingCylindrical Mapping RevisitedThe BootChests, Backs, and Planar MappingHandsMisc. CleanupMirroringScale and OrganizeConclusionWhat’s NextHomework
NomenclatureThe HypershadeCreating and Applying MaterialsTutorial 6.1 Game Level and Architectural TexturingWallsTexture ResourcesPhotoshop PreparationTrying It On for SizeLayering TexturesAmbient Occlusion for TexturingBeyond ColorBump MappingConclusionTutorial 6.2 Textures for Organic FormsPreparationFaux AOTextures as Painting BasisImplementing into MayaConclusionWrapping Up and Moving OnHomework
Maya’s Lighting InstrumentsTutorial 7.1 Lighting Instrument ExplorationPoint LightSpot LightDirectional LightArea LightsVolume LightsAmbient LightTutorial 7.2Mental RayCycsShader TypesPreparing for Final RenderConclusionTutorial 7.3 Character LightingScene SetupKey LightWarm Side Fill LightsCool Side Fill LightsGroup AdjustmentsConclusionHomework
Deformation Objects and JointsJoint BehaviorJoints as a Deformation ObjectTutorial 8.1 Joint Chain for the AlienRoot JointLegsIK vs. FKMirrorUpper BodyArmsHandOrienting JointsFoot Roll RigFurther OrganizationTutorial 8.2 Skin WeightingComponent EditorPainting Skin WeightsTestingMirror Skin WeightsConclusion
How Does Animation Work?Tutorials to Learn Maya’s Animation ToolsTutorial 9.1: Animating a Bouncing BallThe Graph EditorAnatomy of a CurveBezier Curves, Anchors, and HandlesConclusionTutorial 9.2: Wagging a TailTutorial 9.3: A Walk CycleRendering AnimationsConclusionHomework

Overview

Deliver professional-level 3D content in no time with this comprehensive guide to 3D animation with Maya. With over 12 years of training experience, plus several award winning students under his belt, author Adam Watkins is the ideal mentor to get you up to speed with 3D in Maya.

Using a structured and pragmatic approach Getting Started in 3D with Maya begins with basic theory of fundamental techniques, then builds on this knowledge using practical examples and projects to put your new skills to the test. Prepared so that you can learn in an organic fashion, each chapter builds on the knowledge gained in the previous chapter, showing you all the essentials of 3D in Maya, from modeling and UV layout, to texture creation, rigging animating and rendering. As you go from project to project you'll develop a strong arsenal of skills that combined will form a complete end to end process to creating complete projects in Maya.

The accompanying website provides all the tools you need to develop your skills. Project files to accompany the practical examples used throughout the text, so you can work along with the examples. Additional textures and models will give you all the resources you need to start making your own projects in no time at all.