Hot Maya How-Tos
How To: Sculpt geometry in Maya
In this software tutorial you will learn how to sculpt geometry using the sculpt geometry tool in Maya. The sculpt geometry tool is like a paint brush that allows you to paint the surface of an object in 3D. It is best used for creating terrains and other organic geometry. This tutorial will cover all the basics of learning to sculpt geometry in Maya.
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: Model a basic candle in Maya
This software tutorial teaches you how to model a basic candle out of polygons in Maya. Polygonal modeling is the easiest to learn so follow along and watch how to model a used candle in Maya.
How To: Render in Maya 8.5
This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teaches users how to render their models and animations.
How To: Animate objects in Maya 8.5
This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teaches users how to make objects move. It covers basic keyframing and animation tools.
How To: Use the hypershade menu in Maya 8.5
This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teachers users how to work with the hypershade menu to create materials and textures.
How To: Model complex objects from polygons in Maya 8.5
This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teaches users how to create and model complex polygonal objects.
How To: Create basic objects in Maya 8.5
This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teaches users how to create basic objects.
How To: Subdivide polygons in Maya 8
This tutorial covers the basics of how to subdivide polygons when 3D modeling in Maya 8.
How To: Extrude polygons in Maya
Learn how to extrude polygon faces and start to really make objects. Extruding is the most important and most often used method for manipulating and modeling with polygons in Maya so if you are learning Maya, you definitely want to check out this tutorial.
How To: Revolve, extrude and loft nurbs curves in Maya
Learn how to manipulate NURBS surfaces using the Revolve, Extrude and Loft methods in Autodesk's Maya 3D modeling and animating software.
How To: Manipulate curves in Maya
Learn all about curves and how to manipulate their components in Autodesk's Maya 3D modeling and animating software.
How To: Manipulate polygon components in Maya
Learn about the things that make up polygon objects - Components. We go over how to access them and how to manipulate them. This is truly the core of 3D modeling in Maya!
How To: Use the polygon sculpt geometry tool in Maya
Learn how to use the sculpt geometry tool to make modeling polygon surfaces much easier when doing 3D modeling in Maya.
How To: Use basic lighting effects in Maya
Modeling software is a wonderful tool for experimenting with modifictions of a product first before building it in real life. Plus, it's just cool to build things virtually. This Maya software tutorial teaches you how to use basic lighting effects in Maya.
How To: Create and apply textures in Maya
This lesson will show how to create and apply textures to objects in Maya.
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: Set up image planes in Maya
If you plan to do a lot of modeling in Maya, you will find it is easier if you set up reference images on image planes. This tutorial shows you how to create and set up image planes in Maya.
How To: Navigate in the viewport in Maya
Learn how to navigate around inside the interface and specifically the viewport in Maya in this tutorial. This is great for Maya or 3D software beginners.
How To: Create a half-tone print effect in Maya
In this video tutorial from CreativeCOW leader Alvaro Castaneda, we will create a nice looking effect in Maya that emulates the half-tone print effect. This tutorial shows that Maya can create looks not traditionally associated with 3D rendering applications. Create a half-tone print effect in Maya.
How To: Create particles and add collision objects in Maya
Particles are a great world to explore. In this video tutorial from CreativeCOW leader Alvaro Castaneda, well learn how to create particles in very simple ways in Maya. We also add collision objects gravity and render them in a liquid like mesh. Create particles and add collision objects in Maya.
How To: Create a logo in Maya
In this two part tutorial from Alvaro Castaneda you will learn how to create a logo in Maya. We begin by tracing the logo in a vector app, then use that to start building the logo, using Maya to bring it to life. In part two we add shaders to our geometry to later light and render our final logo. Create a logo in Maya - Part 1 of 2.
How To: Move objects in Maya 8.5
Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial on how to move objects around. You'll learn about the channel box and how to use your mouse to move around those animated 3D characters. You'll see how to rotate and flip objects and be the best 3D Maya modeler around. Yep, that's right.
How To: Use viewports in Maya 8.5
See how to use viewports in Autodesk Maya 8.5. If your 3D modeling skills are in need of a little refreshing, then watch this five-part video to see how to effectively use a viewport in Maya for your character animation.
How To: Scale and rotate components in Maya 8.5
Check out this two-part video tutorial on learning some components and polyprimitives of vertices in Autodesk Maya 8.5. You'll get the best info on geometry for 3D animation in this 3D modeling video. See how to scale, rotate, and move vertices of your built animated character in Maya.
How To: Work with geometry in Maya 8.5
Check out this four-part video tutorial on geometry in Autodesk Maya 8.5. You'll learn about extraordinary vertices and non-extraordinary vertices balls. If you're a 3D modeler, then why not look at this video? Your 3D animation skills might need a little brush up, so make your character, learn about proper polygonal geometry in Maya.
How To: Use the IK Handle tool for bones in Maya 8.5
Okay, make some bones with no orientation and watch this Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial. This video will show you the industry standard IK Handle tool and how to use it with your character's animated bones. So, if you're a wannabe 3D modeler, then you should probably watch this Maya video.
How To: Move and rotate pole vectors in Maya 8.5
Take a gander at this 3D animation video tutorial on how to move pole vectors in Autodesk Maya 8.5. So, if you need to move that pole vector so it doesn't flip, and see where to put it if you want to let your character do the split. Also see how to rotate the pole vector in Maya. Your 3D modeling skills need it, trust me.
How To: Use the Trax editor in Maya 8.5
Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial on how to use the Trax editor for your 3D animated object. If you're 3D modeling, then this is a must know. So watch this three-parter to animate your character with Trax, in a series of poses that need looped.
How To: Pose a character in Maya 8.5
If you've designed the perfect 3D animated character in Autodesk Maya 8.5, then you might need to learn how to pose him correctly, right? Well, this video will show you how to pose the animated character correctly and in an easy way, watching out for the skin and bones and without getting lost in the grid. Your 3D modeling skills probably need a fix, so why not watch this? Then check out the second video for a little clarification on the process.
How To: Set your character in Maya 8.5
Check out this video for how to character set in Autodesk Maya 8.5. You should already have everything set up, everything's weighed, the bones are working properly, the skin is on right, and everything moves smoothly, then this is the next step for an awesome 3D animated character, to use Trax editor in Maya to set your character.
How To: Correct weight issues in Maya 8.5
If you've started bending your 3D animated character around in Autodesk Maya 8.5 and came across a broken bone sticking out that needs to pivot, then you've got a huge weighting issue. Check out this three-part video tutorial on how to correctly weight objects down in Maya. So, learn how to fix weighting problems by watching this how-to video.
How To: Skin bones for a character in Maya 8.5
Having a little trouble putting skin on your 3D animated characters in Autodesk Maya 8.5? Well, check out this five-part video tutorial on how skinning is done for your animation. You'll need those bones built, a nice skeleton structure to put some skin on, so get started. In this video you'll see how to bind bones together, create geometry, make your character move, and skinning. So, if you want to make a realistic skinned character in Maya, go no further.
How To: Create flowing geometry in Maya 8.5
If you are apart of Jason Welsh's Autodesk Maya 8.5 online class, then you might want to check this six-part video out. If not, if your just some 3D modeler out there who needs a little help, then you can watch, too. You'll see how to use the split polygon tool, extrude, work with quads and vertices, scale, and how to make flowing geometry in Maya for great character animation.
How To: Keep faces together in Maya 8.5
If you think you have all the essential tools figured out in Autodesk Maya 8.5, you probably don't. So, if you want to create awesome 3D animated characters, then maybe you should watch this Maya video to make sure you know how to keep faces together after you already know how to merge, merge duplicate, average vertices, and bridge.
How To: Bridge two objects together in Maya 8.5
Say you want to bring two objects together so they automatically flow from one piece to the next in Autodesk Maya 8.5, well, then you're going to have to bridge them. Check out this video tutorial on how to do just that. Combine them, then bridge them. It's that simple. So, for easy 3D modeling, watch this Maya wizardry. You'll also see how to average vertices. One day, you'll make a very fine animated character, you'll see.
How To: Do a duplicate mirror merge in Maya 8.5
If you're in a 3D modeling class, then you might want to check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial. These videos cover how to do a duplicate mirror merge. So, if you want to build an animated character in Maya, just watch for these tips on a dup mirror merge.
How To: Use set driven keys in Maya 8.5
Check out this two-part Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial on creating set driven keys. If you're and animator and your having trouble with your organic or unorganic animation, maybe this is your problem; it's a very powerful tool in 3D modeling in Maya. When ever you come into an object that you are constantly rotating, maybe you should put a set driven key on it, no?
How To: Use clusters in Maya 8.5
Need a little help with your Autodesk Maya 8.5? Are those 3D animated objects frustrating you? Is 3D modeling just a huge headache for you? Well, this video Maya tutorial might help a bit. You need to know what to constrain and what not to constrain. So, you'll learn here how to create clusters.
How To: Clean up geometry in Maya 8.5
If you're a master at Autodesk Maya 8.5, then great, but if you are feeling a bit rusty, maybe this review on cleaning up your geometry will help. This video tutorial will help your animated character come to life in Maya by doing a little geometry cleanup. So, for great 3D modeling tactics, check this Maya video out, reviewing freeze transformation, parenting, binding, smoothing...