Active Maya Posts

How To: 3D character model the female torso using Maya

The female torso is arguably the most popular thing to depict in the history of art. Go figure. This seven-part video will teach you how to create a 3D character model of a female torso using Maya. The creator uses a background image that we could not track down, but you can probably use an alternative female torso image (as we said, there are many) and follow along just fine.

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: Learn the Maya modeling basics by making a toy

Mastering the intricacies of 3D modeling in Maya can take a lifetime, or as close to a lifetime as anyone has had since Maya came out in. This video for Maya beginners will teach you the basics of modeling by walking you through modeling a toy rooster. The model doesn't look that great by the end, but you have to start somewhere, and we have more advanced tutorials available on the site if this seemed too easy for you, you Maya magnate you.

How To: Model a 3D foot using Maya

Modeling the human body in any medium is tough. In Maya, the premiere 3D art software, some say that most difficult parts of the whole body to model are the feet and the ears. This seven-part video will help you model the former in great detail. Watch this video on how to model the head, and you will have mastered the two trickiest parts of modeling the body using Maya! Congratulations!

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: Model 3D heads using Maya

Maya is the most powerful and widely-used program in 3D graphics today. All of this power also means that it is likely the most complicated 3D modeling as well. This video features some basic tips for using Maya to create a 3D model of a human head. It doesn't have any instructions, so some basic knowledge of the software is recommended, but the techniques are basic enough that newbies should be able to pick it up as well.

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: Trim NURBS surfaces in Autodesk Maya 2011

Can't quite figure out how to trim a NURBS surface when working in Maya 2011? Don't fret: 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: Using displacement and bump mapping in Maya 2011

Want to create a surface that isn't complete smooth when working in Maya 2011? Then, my friend, you'll want to know how to use the program's displacement and bump mapping tools. 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 renderer tools in Autodesk Maya 2011

Learn how to make use of the various renderers available when working in 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 Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For specifics, watch this free video guide.

How To: Use selection masks in Autodesk Maya 2011

Want to select a certain object and nothing else? This clip will show you how to use Maya 2011's selection mask feature to achieve just that. 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: Create a duplicate of an object in Autodesk Maya 2011

Want to create a perfect duplicate of a modeled object in Maya 2011? Let this clip 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 Outliner feature in Autodesk Maya 2011

Learn how to organize your Maya 2011 scenes using the Outliner feature. This clip will show you how to access and use it. 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: Convert NURBS to polygons in Autodesk Maya 2011

Need to convert a NURBS surface to plain old polygons 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 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: Create and edit Bézier curves in Autodesk Maya 2011

Want to know how to create Bézier parametric curves 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: Model with NURBS in Autodesk Maya 2011

Looking for a general introduction to NURBS-based modeling? This clip will get you started. 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 boolean function with polygons in Maya 2011

Need to know how to work with polygon booleans within 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: Create and edit edge loops in Autodesk Maya 2011

Want to know how to work with edge loops 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: Create polygonal objects in Autodesk Maya 2011

Want to know how to create 3D polygonal objects 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: 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: Navigate in the Maya 2011 Viewport with the View Cube

Learn how to navigate your Maya 2011 projects using a number of keyboard shortcuts and useful on-screen tools. 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 new Maya 2011 navigation interface yourself, watch this free video guide.

How To: Use the Autodesk Maya 2011 user interface

Meet the Maya 2011 UI! Before you get started working in the program, it stands to reason that you know how to work with it. And this guide will show you how. 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 new Maya 2011 interface yourself, watch this free video guide.

How To: Smooth and shade angles in Maya

In this tutorial, learn how to use Maya to shade and smooth angles on any of your projects. This clip will walk you through the steps you need and show you examples of what your work will look like. In addition, although this task is completed on Maya, you can apply it to many other programs as well. Enjoy!

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: 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: Use the Shelf Editor in Autodesk Maya 2011

Learn how to use the revised Shelf Editor 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, and to get started using the new Shelf Editor yourself, watch this free video guide.

How To: Use the Curve Editor in Autodesk Maya 2011

Learn how to use the new Curve Editor 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, and to get started using the new Curve Editor in Maya 2011 yourself, watch this free video guide.

How To: Use the Smooth Bind feature in Maya 2011

Learn how to use the new Smooth Bind function 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, watch this free video guide.

How To: Snap points in Maya 8.5

This 3D modeling software tutorial will show you how to snap points in Maya 8.5. There are multiple ways to snap points which will be covered. Snapping points is one of the most important things to do when vertex modeling in Maya since it allows for ultimate control. Learn how to use snapping to line up your objects to the grid, a vertex or a curve in Maya 8.5.