Free CG Tutorials: Digital Tutors Introduction To Maya 2009

Digital Tutors Introduction To Maya 2009

Discover over 9 hours of project-based training to learn the fundamentals of modeling, texturing, rigging, animating, dynamics, lighting, and rendering in Maya. Taught by four Digital-Tutors instructors, each teaching their core areas of expertise to provide an essential guide to utilizing the powerful tools available in Maya. Ideal for new and beginning artists.

Lesson :

Introduction to the training
In this lesson we will discuss the project overview for Introduction to Maya 2009

Overview of the UI
In this lesson we will learn about the key areas of Maya's user interface

Saving files and file types
In this lesson we will learn about the various file formats that can be used to save data from Maya

Setting up your first project
In this lesson we will discuss the importance of setting up a Maya project for saving files

Creating your first object & camera navigation
"In this lesson we will learn how to create primitive geometry, as well as how to move the camera within Maya"

Viewing geometry and shading in your camera view
"In this lesson we will learn how to switch between wireframe, shaded mode, and textured mode in the viewport"

How to use the QWERTY tools
"In this lesson we will learn how to move, scale, and rotate our 3D geometry within Maya"

Channel box and layer editor
"In this lesson we will learn how to manipulate objects within the Channel Box, as well as controlling their visibility within the Layer Editor"

Editing objects using the Attribute Editor
In this lesson we will use the Attribute Editor to control many aspects of our geometry

Grouping & parenting objects using the Outliner & Hypergraph
In this lesson we will learn how to group and parent objects using the Maya Hypergraph and the Outliner

Working with the Maya Hotbox
In this lesson we will explain how the Hotbox can be used to quickly access any tool within Maya

Making selections using Selection Masks
In this lesson we will use Selection Masks to control with objects are able to be selected within the scene

Writing your first MEL script
In this lesson we will learn how to create custom commands using the Maya Embedded Language, called MEL.

Working with Shelves and creating your own
In this lesson we will learn how to save commonly-used tools and custom commands to a Shelf for easy access

Modeling Project Overview
In this lesson we will get an overview of the tools and techniques we will use in the modeling portion of our training.

Lofting the engine shell
In this lesson we will create the engine shell by lofting NURBS geometry.

Revolving the engine interior
In this lesson we will revolve nurbs geometry to create the interior of the engine.

Adding primitives to the engine
In this lesson we will use primitive geometry to start building the fan.

Duplicating fan blades
In this lesson we will use Duplicate Special to quickly add multiple fan blades.

Extruding geometry for the intake
In this lesson we will add intakes and vents on the engine.

Combining geometry for the vent
In this lesson we will add geometry for the vent panels.

Extruding pipes with curves
In this lesson we will use curves and primitives to add pipes to the engine.

Drawing curves on surfaces
In this lesson we will add pipes that conform to the shape of the engine.

Building the thrust ring with instances
In this lesson we will create the thrust ring using instanced geometry.

Finishing the engine
In this lesson we will mirror the intake geometry and finish the engine.

Creating the cab from a primitive
In this lesson we will modify primitive geometry to build the cab.

Detailing the cab
In this lesson we will use extrude and the insert edge loop tool to add detail to the cab.

Adding a subdivision windshield
In this lesson we will build the windshield using subdivision surfaces.

Detailing the cab seat
In this lesson we will build and sculpt the seat.

Adding detail to the top of the cab
In this lesson we will use the techniques we've learned to add detail to the top of the cab.

Using primitives to add cable connectors
In this lesson we will add the cable connectors using polygon and nurbs geometry.

Extruding the cables
In this lesson we will create cables to connect the engines using nurbs curves.

Using Bridge to add cable struts
In this lesson we will build geometry to attach the cable to the engine.

Finishing and naming the racer
In this lesson we will add and duplicate geometry to finish the racer.

Texturing Project Overview
In this lesson we will get an overview of the tools and techniques used in texturing our project.

Overview of the Hypershade
In this lesson we will learn about using the Hypershade to work with materials.

Applying and manipulating simple materials
In this lesson we will create an apply materials to the parts of the racer.

Adding ramps
In this lesson we will use ramps to add variation to materials.

Applying multiple materials to objects
In this lesson we will add multiple materials to different parts of the racer.

Working with transparency
In this lesson we will create transparent materials.

Adding procedural texture to the cables
In this lesson we will add detail to the cables using procedural textures.

Working with file textures
In this lesson we will apply painted file textures to our model.

Working with UVs
In this lesson we will learn to prepare our models by creating UV layouts.

Combining ramps and file textures
In this lesson we will texture portions of the geometry by combining ramps and file textures.

Adding bump maps
In this lesson we will create the illusion of additional detail using bump maps.

Combining procedural nodes
In this lesson we will combine texture nodes to create dirt on the engine.

Painting textures in Maya
In this lesson we will use the 3d Paint Tool to interactively paint textures in Maya.

Introduction to the rigging & animation process
In this lesson we will discuss the overview to rigging and animation within Maya

Creating control curves for your objects
In this lesson we create control objects that can greatly simplify the animation process

Using Display Layers to organize our rig
In this lesson we will use Display Layers to control the way objects are displayed in the viewport

Organizing the scene and using selection handles
"In this lesson we will organize our Maya scene using the Outliner, and we will use Selection Handles to easily select grouped geometry"

Creating your own custom attributes
In this lesson we will create custom attributes that can simplify the animation process

Using the Connection Editor to drive values
In this lesson we will use the Connection Editor to link the attributes of multiple objects

Writing your first expression
In this lesson we will write an expression that will automatically create animation on our turbine blades

Adding a speed setting for the expression
In this lesson we will add variables to our expression which can control the speed of our engine turbine

Using Set Driven Key to simplify the rigging process
"In this lesson we will use Set Driven Keys to link the parameters of multiple objects, allowing for easier animation"

Drawing your first joint chain
In this lesson we will learn how to properly create joint chains for deforming geometry

Binding the geometry onto joints
In this lesson we will learn how to bind geometry to a joint chain

Making the scene animator friendly
In this lesson we will discuss some workflows for cleaning up your scene in order to simplify the animation process

Adding random movement through expressions
In this lesson we will write an expression that will automatically add randomized movement to our engine pods

Removing channels from the Channel Box
In this lesson we will further organize our scene by removing unnecessary attributes from the Channel Box

"Setting key frames, time slider and the Graph Editor"
In this lesson we will learn the procedure for animating objects within Maya

Managing key frames with the Graph Editor
In this lesson we will use the Graph Editor to adjust animation curves within Maya

Creating a cycling animation
In this lesson we will use the Graph Editor to create a seamlessly cycling animation loop

Animating objects using path animation
In this lesson we will create use a path to control the movement of our podracer

Using the Auto Key feature
In this lesson we will use the Auto Key feature to very quickly create keyframes for our animated objects

Modifying key frames using the time slider
In this lesson we will learn how to manipulate existing keyframes directly within the Maya timeline

Creating playblasts to preview the animation
In this lesson we will utilize Playblasts to preview the timing and motion of our animated scenes

Dynamics Project Overview
In this lesson we will learn about the following lessons in dynamics

Creating Fire (part 1)
In this lesson we will learn how to create fire using the Fire Effects tool

Creating Fire (part 2)
In this lesson we will add some fire to a small chunk of the pod racer

Adding lightning
In this lesson we will learn how to use the Lightning Effects tool

Creating particle emitters
In this lesson we will learn how to setup particle emitters

Fading the particles over time
In this lesson we will learn how to change our particle look and fade them out

Using other per-particle attributes
In this lesson we will learn how to change our particle color and size over time

Hooking up the particle shader
In this lesson we will learn how to drive our particle shader with particle attributes

Lighting and Rendering Project Overview
In this lesson we will discuss the project overview for the rendering portion of Introduction to Maya 2009

Overview of various Maya light types
In this lesson we will explore the distinctions between Maya's various light types

Exploring common attributes of Maya lights
In this lesson we will discuss the common attributes found on many Maya light types

Adding depth-map and raytraced shadows to Maya lights
In this lesson we will compare and contrast the two types of shadows available in Maya

Using Image Planes to create a renderable environment
In this lesson we will use image planes to quickly create an environment for our Maya scene

Matching light sources to a photographic environment
In this lesson we will match the look of our Maya lights to our live-action background plate

Using the Attribute Spread Sheet for editing multiple objects
In this lesson we will use the Attribute Spread Sheet to simultaneously edit attributes on multiple objects