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LinkedIn Learning

Maya 2018 Essential Training

via LinkedIn Learning

Overview

Get the essential training you need to create high-quality 3D models and animations in Maya 2018. Learn core Maya skills such as modeling, texturing, rendering, and animation.

Syllabus

Introduction
  • Welcome
  • System requirements
  • How to use the exercise files
1. The Maya Interface
  • Overview of the Maya interface
  • Work with files and Maya projects
  • Navigating in Maya
  • Configuring viewports
  • Using the hotbox and marking menus
  • Customizing the interface
  • Using Maya workspaces
2. Select and Manipulate Objects
  • Select objects
  • Use the Move tool
  • Rotate and scale
  • Manipulate pivots
  • Understanding the Channel Box
  • Work with the Attribute Editor
  • Reset and freeze transformations
  • Snap objects
  • Duplicate objects
3. Organize Maya Scenes
  • Work with the Outliner
  • Create hierarchies
  • Group objects
  • Understanding the Hypergraph
  • Hide and show objects
  • Create layers
  • Work with selection masks
4. Create Polygonal Models
  • Differences between NURBS and polygons
  • Create polygonal objects
  • Select polygonal components
  • Using Soft Selection and Symmetry
  • Combine and separate
  • Boolean tools
  • Using brush tools to sculpt meshes
5. Model Polygonal Meshes
  • Set up reference
  • Model against reference
  • Work with edge loops
  • Use the Extrude tool
  • Mirror and merge components
  • Use the Bevel tool
  • Extrude along a path
  • Use the Polygon Bridge tool
  • Understanding Quad Draw
6. Refine Polygonal Meshes
  • Use the Modeling Toolkit
  • Smooth models and manage detail
  • Work with subdivision surfaces
  • Create creases in smooth surfaces
  • Use Edge Flow to smooth geometry
  • Manage object history
7. NURBS Modeling Techniques
  • Understanding NURBS components
  • NURBS primitives
  • Use the NURBS curve tools
  • Create radial surfaces with Revolve
  • Use the NURBS Loft tool
  • Open and close curves and surfaces
  • Create shapes with the NURBS Planar action
  • Use the NURBS Extrude tool
8. Refine NURBS Models
  • Use isoparms to refine NURBS surfaces
  • Extract NURBS curves from surfaces
  • Create curves on a surface
  • Project curves on surfaces
  • Trim NURBS surfaces
  • Convert NURBS to polygons
9. Create Materials
  • Overview of Maya renderering
  • Understanding the basic shader types
  • Work with Arnold materials
  • Opacity and refraction in Arnold
  • Create and apply maps
  • Use bitmaps as texture
  • Work with the Hypershade window
  • Create materials in Hypershade
10. Apply Materials and Textures
  • Apply multiple materials to objects
  • UV map polygonal objects
  • Understanding the UV Editor
  • Project textures on NURBS surfaces
  • 3D painting
  • UV mapping complex objects
  • Maintain UV scale
11. Render in Maya
  • Render Settings menu
  • Use Render View
  • Maya lights and lighting types
  • Understanding cameras
  • Use the Light Editor
  • Batch render animation
  • Understanding Render Setup
  • Use overrides in Render Setup
12. Render in Arnold
  • Arnold render settings
  • Arnold Render View
  • Using Maya lights in Arnold
  • Use Arnold area lights
  • Use objects as lights
  • Image-based lighting and skydomes
  • Add depth of field in Arnold
  • Create motion blur in Arnold
  • Render animation in Arnold
13. Animate in Maya
  • Understanding the animation interface
  • Animate objects using Set Key
  • Modify keys in the Graph Editor
  • Modify keys in the Dope Sheet
  • Create breakdown keys
  • Animate objects along spline paths
  • Visualize animation
  • Use the Grease Pencil tool
  • Create animation cycles
  • Animation playback using Playblast
  • Work with the Time Editor
  • Create animations clips
Conclusion
  • Next steps

Taught by

George Maestri

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