Maya in 24 Hours, Sams Teach Yourself

About

Features

Description

In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, Sams Teach Yourself Maya® in 24 Hours will help you master Autodesk Maya 2014 and use it to create outstanding 3D graphics and animations. Using this book’s straightforward, step-by-step approach, you’ll master powerful Maya 2014 tools for modeling, texturing, rigging, animating, lighting, rendering, and more. Every lesson builds on what you’ve already learned, giving you a rock-solid foundation for real-world success!

Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common Maya tasks.

Quizzes and exercises test your knowledge of key Maya 2014 tools at the end of each hour.

Notes present interesting information related to the discussion.

Tips offer advice or show you easier ways to perform tasks.

Learn how to…

• Get comfortable with Autodesk Maya 2014's complex interface
• Quickly access the Maya 2014 tools you need for any task
• Efficiently manage your assets and files
• Model with polygonal geometry and NURBS curves/surfaces
• Unfold UVs and apply textures
• Create node networks in the hypershade
• Model highly realistic characters
• Utilize relationships and make nodes work together
• Rig your objects and characters for animation
• Add animated movement to your scenes
• Create and adjust cameras
• Build diverse shapes with BlendShapes
• Animate using dynamics and simulations
• Script and automate common tasks
• Improve realism with particles, hair/cloth effects, and more
• Correctly light your scenes
• Render your final imagery
• Work effectively with film
• Manage your projects and scene workflows more efficiently

On the DVD: The accompanying DVD contains how-to videos for dozens of key Maya 2014 tasks, extensive sample art and models, and additional bonus content.

Extras

Author's Site

Please visit the author's site here

Sample Content

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 8 and Index)

Table of Contents

HOUR 1: Introduction to Autodesk Maya and This Book     1
Our Goal     1
What Is Autodesk Maya?     2
Our Approach     3
How We Use Screenshots     4
Supplementing Your 3D Training     6
Setting a Pace for Learning Maya     8
Summary     8
Q&A     9
Workshop     9

HOUR 2: Menus and Navigating the Maya UI     11
The Maya Interface     11
Starting from the Default Maya Interface     12
 The Top Area     13
 The Center Area     18
 The Left Area     19
 The Right Area     21
 The Bottom Area     23
Axes, Planes, Coordinates     24
The Outliner     24
Summary     26
Q&A     26
Workshop     27

HOUR 3: File Types and Managing Assets     29
3D File Types     30
 Maya Scene Files     30
 Maya Binary     30
 Maya ASCII     30
Other 3D File Types     31
 OBJ     32
 FBX     32
 ANIM     33
 ATOM     33
2D File Types     33
 Texture File Types     34
Miscellaneous Formats     37
Maya Projects     37
 Set Project     37
 Creating a Project     38
Summary     39
Q&A     39
Workshop     40

HOUR 4: Modeling with Polygonal Geometry     43
Objects in Maya     44
Creating Polygons     44
 Polygons     46
Summary     57
Q&A     58
Workshop     58

HOUR 5: Modeling NURBS Curves and Surfaces     61
What Are NURBS?     62
 Curve Components     62
 Surface Components     63
Modeling with NURBS     65
 Creating a Simple Surface     66
More Uses for Curves     74
 Animation Controllers     74
 Path Animation     74
Summary     77
Q&A     78
Workshop     78

HOUR 6: Unfolding UVs and Applying Textures     81
What Are UVs?     82
 More Complicated Models     83
Texturing in Maya     88
 Applying Our Texture     90
 Standard Material Options     91
 Standard Materials     93
Customizing Our Blinn     94
Summary     97
Q&A     97
Workshop     98

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