Maya — Autodesk Maya tutorials « Maya

How To: Create a Helix-Shaped NURBS Curve in Maya

There are several ways you can go about creating your NURBS helix curve in Maya; I will demonstrate the two easiest ones.

How To: Animate a bouncing ball in Maya

The bouncing ball animation is a classic beginning point for animating in every 3D software package. This tutorial shows you how to do it in Maya. Part two will concentrate on keyframes. Part three will turn the bouncing ball into a character set. Part four will cover using the Trax editor when animating.

How To: Insert joints in a joint chain in Maya

If you are working on characters or rigs, you are definitely working with joints. This video shows you how to insert a join in a joint chain if you need more or happened to miss one.

How To: Render Wireframe in Maya Software Render

This is a very essential tutorial for Modelers to present their showreel. In this tutorial we are going to learn how to render a wire frame of a model. Wireframe render in Maya is bit tricky but easy also, just you have to know right button to press. This tutorial will cover the output in Autodesk Maya Software renderer. Later we will discuss through Mental Ray render engine. Hope you will enjoy.

How To: Use the mia_material material shader in Maya 2011

In this tutorial, we learn how to work with the mia_material shader tool in Maya 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.

How To: Master Maya modeling by making a 3D airplane

Maya is arcane, complex, but incredibly powerful software. It is the industry standard for 3D modeling in games and film. This video for Maya beginners will teach you how to create a model of an airplane as a means of teaching you a lot of the basics of Maya. It is meant to be watched after the previous two tutorial series by the creator: modeling a chair and modeling a toy. It builds on the lessons therein, and watching the whole series will ensure that you learn more than you would have wat...

How To: Use the Spin Edge modeling tool in Autodesk Maya 2011

Learn how to take an edge and spin it around a model using Maya 2011's Spin Edge tool. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the Spin Edge tool in your own Maya 2011 projects, watch this free video guide.

How To: Model an object using the CV Curve tool in Maya

3D modeling tool Mayafrom Autodesk is a monster of a program, able to do SO many things. One of the things you'll need to learn is how to use the CV Curve tool. This will allow you to create objects with curves of any shape or dimension you desire. Let's be honest, most of your models will require curves, so check out this tutorial and find out how to do it. Maya is used in everything from small animation to feature films like Spiderman. If you want to be in the biz, expand your skill set wit...

How To: Model a human body in Maya

This tutorial series shows you how to model anatomy of the human body in Maya and gives specific tips on how to eventually be able to do it from memory. Part one starts with the head, part two the torso, part 3 the legs, part four the foot, part 5 the arm, part 6 attaching the parts and part 7 modeling hands.

How To: Create realistic smoke and dust particles in Maya

The key to being able to animate realistic smoke or dust is being able to master the particle texture rate technique in Maya. Once you have gotten this down, you can create any sort of particle effect, such as sand or bubbles in addition to smoke and dust. This three part tutorial series goes in depth into the subtleties of Maya, showing you how to get the most out of working with particles to lend an extra layer of realism to your project.

How To: Create a water shader in Maya

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a pretty decent looking water shader in Maya without many nodes. Water materials are a great and fast way to get around creating real 3D water effects so watch this Maya tutorial and create your own water shader.

How To: Use the Hypershade Window in Autodesk Maya 2011

Learn how to use the newely revised Hypershade Window in Maya 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the Hypershade Window in your own Maya 2011 projects, watch this free video guide.

How To: Create intricate tree leaves in Maya

Creating realistic trees in Maya is hard enough without the leaves, but when you add the lively green leaves onto the branches, the difficulty level doubles. An animated leaf needs to mimic a real life, living leaf, which is intricate, to say the least. So, if you've been having problems with making tree leaves in Maya, this two-part video tutorial will show you the tricks to success. But it's only the beginning of what you can accomplish in Maya.

How To: Mirror geometry in Maya the new school way

So we got half a Maya model...now what? We mirror it over and merge the vertices, all with one command, to get us a solid object. We use the dolphin from our organic polygon modeling series, but the technique can be applied to any polygon model. Watch and learn how to mirror geometry the new school way in Maya (with the mirror geometry tool!) NOTE: there are often problems with this method of mirroring, but don't worry, they're covered.

How To: Model a human ear in Maya

In our opinion, human body parts are some of the hardest things an artist can draw. When it comes to parts like hands and ears, we generally settle for a basic, rudimentary rendering because achieving a realistic portrayal seems so hard. If you're looking for quality, though, then Maya modeling software is an excellent way to achieve it.

How To: Turn a 3D Model in Maya into a 3D Print

When turning your 3D model into a 3D print, Maya requires some extra editing before you end up with a printable piece: the wall thickness needs to be checked, the model needs to be watertight, and your final printing size needs to be defined. To make your life easier, Autodesk Maya expert Russ Ogi has put together a step-by-step tutorial about how to make your Maya 3D model printable. See more at: 3D Printing with Maya: Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Turn Your 3D Model into a 3D Print.

How To: Create a Simple Procedural Brick Texture in Maya

This is a guide to making a very simple procedural texture for Maya. As with all procedural textures, the basic texture can be refined and added to.

How To: Create a Motion Trail in Maya 2011

Motion trails in Autodesk Maya can be very handy at times when animating your scene. Keying a bone/joint or other object every so many frames can take up quite a bit of time and can sometimes be a big hassle, too. I have found many times when I could have really used one. I also don't like to search the Internet with a question and not find an answer (at least, without paying for it). So in this how-to article, I will demonstrate going about creating a simple (or complex) motion trail to make...

How To: Use the Extrude tool in Autodesk Maya 2011

In this video tutorial, we learn how to use the Extrude tool within Autodesk Maya 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the 3ds Max 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the lessons imparted by this free video software tutorial yourself, watch this free video guide.

How To: Use ramp textures in Autodesk Maya 2011

In this tutorial, we learn how to work with ramp textures within Maya 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.

How To: Rotate & revolve cameras in Maya

In this tutorial, we learn how to rotate and revolve cameras in Maya. First, go to create primitives on the menu at the top. Next, create a camera and pull it out onto the circle. Now, click the camera and then the circle, then hit the 'p' key on the keyboard. Now, you can rotate your circle around and it will rotate on the y axis. To set this, click on 50, then type in 360 on the 'y axis' space. After this, hit 's' an you will have a key frame. You can change the settings as you prefer, then...

How To: 3D model a skeleton torso using Maya

The human skeleton may not be that artistically satisfying by itself, but a good realistic model of one is the basis of much of the most anatomically correct and natural-looking art. This three-part video will teach you how to 3D model a skeleton using Maya, starting with the vertebrae, then the spine, then the ribcage. If you can create this, you are well on your way to 3D modeling all sorts of natural human forms.

How To: Create a 3D UV of shoelaces in Maya

Creating good UVs with Maya can be tough, and get tougher depending on what type of object you are trying to unwrap. This short video tutorial covers how to create accurate UVs for long objects like rope or, in this case, shoelaces. This is a simple technique, but one that should enable you to model much more smoothly and accurately in the future, especially if you often find yourself creating 3D models of shoes.

How To: Model a human head using Maya

Maya can count itself among the most powerful and also most challenging programs in all of computing. It's 3D modeling potential is nearly limitless if you can master its intricacies. This video features a professional digital art teacher teaching you how to model a 3D head using Maya. You can download the skull he uses as a reference here.

How To: Model interiors using Maya

Maya is one of the most powerful 3D asset creation programs in the world. It is also fantastically difficult to use. This seven-part video will teach you how to model an interior environment using Maya. All this video covers is modeling, nothing on lighting or any of the other features in Maya, but it is very detailed and should have you modeling like a pro!

How To: Make a 3D model of a rim and tire

Drawing cars is one of the most fun and practical things that a 3D artist can spend their time on and get employed doing. This video is a walkthrough for making a 3D model of a rim and tire of a car. It should be good practice for getting you ready to start designing your own cars on the computer. Make a 3D model of a rim and tire.

How To: Use the NURBS Extrude tool in Autodesk Maya 2011

Need a little big of help figuring out how to use the Maya 2011 NURBS tool when working in Maya 2011? This clip will show you how it's done. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For specifics, watch this free video guide.

How To: Use the Hotbox navigation tool in Autodesk Maya 2011

Meet the Maya 2011 Hotbox tool, a highly useful on-screen device for navigating your projects. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For specifics, and to get started using the Hotbox to navigate your own Maya projects, watch this free video guide.

How To: Configure safe frames and grids in Autodesk Maya 2011

Need some help figuring out how to configure safe frames and grids in Maya 2011 when animating for specific output source? This clip will show you how it's done. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For specifics, watch this free video guide.

How To: Smooth proxy objects in Maya

ets face it: modeling in polygons in Maya is a rough way to make organic objects. In comes the smooth player: subdivision proxy objects. Learn how to model with the least amount of detail, but see your Maya model in all of it's quad-faced glory by using the subdivision proxy objects tool.

How To: Set up a basic animation rig in Maya

In this tutorial you will learn how to setup a basic rig in Maya. Animation rigs are the bone and muscle structures used to animate and move characters and objects made in Maya. If you plan to make anything you model in Maya come to life, you will need to learn the basics of rigging. So watch this tutorial and get started building basic animation rigs in Maya.

How To: Create rigid bodies in Maya dynamics

In this tutorial your learn how to

How To: Use the hypershade in Maya to create materials

First off, a bit of explanation. The hypershade in Maya is a quick way to create and connect rendering nodes, which include textures, materials, lights, and special effects. Hypershade is one of the most important features in Maya to learn and master.

How To: Use dynamics springs in Maya

This tutorial shows you another method for using dynamic point constraints in Maya to create springs and things.

How To: Rig a character in Maya for beginners

Here we build a skeleton for the character and bind the skeleton to the geometry in Maya. This is also known as rigging a character.

How To: Texture an object in Maya and export to Unreal Engine

This tutorial explains how to use the Maya uv editor to set up an object to be imported into the Unreal Engine so you can shoot at the object.

How To: Create a stain glass window in Maya

This tutorial series shows you how to work with lighting in Maya by creating a stain glass window with a candle in front of it. This is a great in-depth look at lighting. Part one sets up a 3 point lighting system within maya. so this is a general overview of many light properties. Part 2 makes the stain glass alpha for the lofting lesson using Zbrush. Part 3 covers how to cast light through a colored alpha within maya and make the illusion of stain glass. Part 4 is where you add the candle t...