book

How to Cheat in Maya

by Eric Luhta

March 2013

Beginner

304 pages

11h 10m

English

Routledge

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Setting up ProjectsWorkspace LayoutPlayblastingFile ReferencingCreating a Shot CameraQuick Selection SetsQuick Selection Set IconsCreating Shelf ButtonsUsing MEL ScriptsCreating HotkeysProxy ReferencesInterlude: Opening Maya Files
How Splines WorkSplines and SpacingTangent TypesTangent HandlesSpline TechniqueSpline ReferenceInterlude: Graphics Cards

Graph Editor WindupVisual ToolsWorking with KeysValue OperatorsBuffer CurvesInterlude: Using Video Reference
AutoKeyTimeline TechniquesFigure 8 MotionCopying CurvesTracking ArcsIK and FKIK/FK SwitchingCharacter SetsMultiple Pivot PointsRe-BlockingInterlude: Spotlight: P.J. Leffelman
ParentingParent ConstraintsConstraining a PropConstraint WeightsAnimating with ConstraintsInterlude: Doing Personal Work
What Is Gimbal Lock?Rotation ModesSetting Rotation OrderZeroing Out PosesEuler FilterInterlude: Keeping Perspective
Thumbnails and ReferenceSetting up the SceneKey Poses 1Key Poses 2Rough TimingCamera AnimationTween MachineBreakdown PosesAdding the ShurikenRefining the TimingCopied PairsInterlude: Making a Short Film
Blocking the Core PositionsRotating the HipsBody and Feet Side MotionRotating the SpineBlocking the ArmsHead and NeckSplining the WalkRefining the BodyHipsThe FeetSpine, Neck, and HeadArms and HandsFixing Knee PopsTranslating the Walk CycleInterlude: Spotlight: Chris Williams
CushionsMoving HoldsTextureFinishing TouchesInterlude: Getting Feedback
Planning and PrepCore PosesLip Sync 1 - Jaw MotionLip Sync 2 - Mouth CornersLip Sync 3 - Mouth ShapesLip Sync 4 - TongueBlinksBlink and BrowsEye DartsFinal TouchesInterlude: Repetitive Stress Injury
How Animation Layers WorkAnimation Layer BasicsCreating VariationsCreating Variations 2Layers for TextureInterlude: Spotlight: Sean Burgoon
Basic MaterialsRendering with ShadowsRender SettingsClay RenderInterlude: Staying Inspired

Overview

"How to Cheat in Maya" focuses on the art of animation and how it is done in Maya. The book presents productivity tips and tools so that animators can get things done in the most efficient way possible - and obtain quality results with a minimum effort.