Maya UI, navigation, selection and simple animation
Maya: Foundations AFTRS
Maya: University

Running Time: 3:38 hrs
Software: Maya 2016
Instructor: Andrew Silke
1. 3d Class 01: Maya Introduction (52 mins)
2. 3d Class 03: Modelling (2:46 hrs)
2.2 – Blocking Robo (1:25 hrs)
Videos and files for the AFTRS course Maya Foundations.
Instructor
Andrew Silke
Software
Maya 2016
Last Updated
March 2017

1. 3d Class 01: Maya Introduction (52 mins)
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Beginner Project Maya Files (87 MB) |
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This video tutorial covers the basics of Maya, getting started in the Maya UI.
All assets used in the spaceship scene can be freely downloaded. Animation scene setup by Andrew Silke. Copyright to respective authors… |

2. 3d Class 03: Modelling (2:46 hrs)
Modelling and component modes, advanced selection and fbx download/import.
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Component Modes (0:50 sec) Objects are what you see in the outliner. Meshes are the name of polygon objects. Components are various sub level elements of objects. For polygons the common components are “faces”, “vertices” and “edges”. Keep in mind that there are many more components that a polygon object has, but these are the components useful for modelling. Object Mode and Component Modes (Icons) Selection Modes (8:35 sec) Pivot Manipulator (18:06 sec) Freeze Transforms (21:44 sec) Modelling Tools Setup (24:15 sec) Center Pivot xform -cpc Freeze Transforms performFreezeTransformations(0) Delete History delete -ch Merge To Center polyMergeToCenter Quad Draw dR_DoCmd("quadDrawTool") Extract (proper) performPolyChipOff 0 0; toggleSelMode; Demonstrate Modelling Tools (29:40 min) Extract and Separate (31:19 min) Delete (faces edges verts) (34:30 min) Mirror and group mirror and abs transform (40:46 min) Polysmooth and divide (41:38 min) Multicut (44:33 min) Extrude (and issues) (46:45 min) Last Tool Used (50:40 min) Bevel (51:12 min) Bridge (52:51 min) Three Merge Types (56:59 min) Collapse (59:25 min) Center Pivot Quad Draw (1:00:00 hr) Delete History (1:02:30 hr) Subd Tools (1:04:20 hr) These keys are actually dividing the objects in terms of polygons, and this can be seen in the attribute editor under the Shape tab > Smooth Mesh > Subdivision Levels > Display Subdivision Levels. Subdivision objects is a big topic in Maya, but generally it requires quaded meshes. While downloading .fbx objects triangulated meshes are usually not meant to be SubD smoothed. Downloading FBX Objects (1:12:14 hr) .fbx has now also been adopted by most 3d programs now also including game engines such as Unity and Unreal. It’s the most popular generic 3d format. It supports meshes uvs basic shaders and a few other fancy things like basic skinning and edge smoothing. .ma and .mb is the Maya only file format. .ma is text (ascii) and .mb is binary. Always save Maya files in one of these two formats, preferably .ma since humans can open it up in a txt editor and read it. Maya files support all Maya operations, no other file format will ever be able to match all Maya operations. It’s pretty easy to find downloadable free objects off the internet, and .fbx and or .obj are the main file formats you’ll want to look for, obviously ,mb and .ma is good too, though they are less common. Be sure to have the .fbx and .obj plugins loaded while importing. You can find this under Sites to download these files from are sites like… CG Trader Even games sites like Unity’s site has a model section too. These models will mostly be lores and made for games. But are still fine for other use depending on how close you get to the models. You can also try to search for models on google using search terms like Homework Bonus Homework More Timelapse Models |
No. | Video Points |
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1. | Why Simple Characters? (0:00) |
2. | Image Planes Photoshop (4:00) |
3. | Maya Project Directory (9:00) |
4. | Maya Image Planes (11:45) |
5. | Blocking Torso (15:36) |
6. | Blocking Head (20:40) |
7. | Blocking Neck (38:20) |
8. | Blocking Arms (47:20) |
9. | Blocking Legs (54:30) |
10. | Blocking Feet (57:40) |
11. | Blocking Hands (1:14:07) |
12. | Summary (1:24:30) |
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Andrew demonstrates the blocking of the model in unedited real-time talking you through the entire process. Starting with in Photoshop he sets up the image planes and completes the poly blocking of each part. Modelling in straight polys gives a large amount of control over the forms and keeps the shapes clean.
Since the sketches are simple designs there’s a fair amount of interpretation for the artist to make choices on the model without the designer being present. Often designers will cheat certain elements so various trade offs can be considered in the 3d design. The aim of this section is to block the whole model quickly. In this rough state changes are easier to make and iterate over. Later while added the details the model changes are more difficult. |
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