Lesson two - 1/2

Maya lesson two - part one

For this lesson a space ship and table were created. This will show the step by step progress from start to finish of both, in two parts.

Create a block, press the 4 key, this is a short cut to making the object solid. 

To create the above shape, firstly go into face mode via right click and hold menu. Click on one face, navigate to the other side of the cube, hold the shift key and select the opposing face image. On the menu above, select Mesh/Extrude - you may then pull out the shape via blue arrow, as demonstrated above both selected faces will pull out at once. 

The next step is scaling down the edges, by clicking the /y axis and pulling down(with both faces selected), you will notice the ends compress down and create a slope for both edges. 

Repeating the Mesh/Extrude step once more, pull out the same area to create the wings.

Compress the edges of the wings once more.

Using the move tool, pull the wings back

The base of the space ship has now been created,

Add Mesh/Extrude the front of the object, once you have pulled this out, scale down the end as displayed above. 

Repeat Add mesh/Extrude; create a much smaller tip than previously.

Select both sides at the front of the object, either side of the center, by Holding shift and clicking on the other side as done previously.

Edit mesh/Extrude, rather than pulling outwards, first scale down the shape - this will create a smaller shape that fits inside the area. 

By now, pressing the G key may be used as a shortcut, allowing the user to automatically use the Mesh/Extrude method. Once accomplished, move the selected area and push the face inwards. 

Moving onto the top and center of the face, Use the G key as a Mesh/Extrude short cut and create a smaller shape to fit inside the box, move the shape tot he back of the object, aim to create a small rectangle to fit inside the face. Using the Mesh,Extrude method by pressing the G key, pull out the smaller rectangular area you have just created, pull this out and upwards. 

Compress and scale down the end of the shape you have just created, this will create a more dynamic shape for the ship.

Repeat the previous two steps, creating a smaller area for the face at the back of the object.

Push in the shape, once more by using the Add Mesh/Extrude option.

By pressing the 3 key, you will successfully smooth your object. The ship is now complete.

Completed obejct 

Completed object

Above view of complete object

Lesson one 3/3

Lesson phase three - creating a chair

Creating the chair is a very similar process to creating the table, first create a much smaller chair next to the table using the block tool from the shelf, as with the table the height should not be too tall. Once the shape is completed, press the W key to allow free movement for the platform, and raise it using the Y (green arrow) axis. 

To create the legs, the process of the cylinders will be repeated once again, using the Space bar to allow you to see the model at all views, you will decide on a width and height. Once this action has been completed, position the chair. Press Ctrl + D to once again duplicate the object another three times. Once complete, a back for the chair will need to be created. Go to Mesh/Combine after clicking and dragging across all the separate objects on the chair. This will merge the chair into a whole object.

Using the Cube tool in the Polygon menu, click and drag the block to fit into the grid and the block must be vertical. After, press the Space bar in order to allow you to click and drag this block where it need fit. Feel free to use W and R to adjust the size and width of the block as well as the position, making sure it matches the width and size of the chairs base. Once again, merge all objects of the chair together, using Mesh/Combine; you may then duplicate the entire chair and use as many times as desired.

A model of a table, complete with two chairs has now been completed.

Lesson one - 2/3

Lesson phase two - Creating a table

To begin with, click and drag to create a table top, this is completed by selecting the Cube shape under the Polygon tab, if you then click and drag across the grid to create you object. After proceed to create the height, as a table is thin this needn't be dragged too much.

To move the table top upwards from the grid, which is referenced as the floor – press the W key, this will allow you to freely move the object, to move upwards – use the yellow arrow, this will click and drag the Y axis.

To create the leg, it is preferable to have a view of all angles, this way you may be able to interpret the width, height and placement of the leg easier. Click on the Cylinder tool on the shelf, first you create the base – once you finish clicking and dragging, you then let go in order to further create the height of the cylinder; which is accomplished through clicking and dragging again.

Proceed to use the W key, which will allow you to move the selected object around freely. In order to better predict the placement on the leg, use the top left box which is the top view. Be sure to place the leg at one of the corners.

The next step is duplicating the legs, in order to do this you will have the cylinder selected, and press Ctrl + D, this will duplicate the object. Once again press the W key and use the Top view to move the leg in the correct space. Once you select two of the cylinders together, you may then duplicate both objects at the same time, thus click and drag to the opposing side. 

If the table legs were underneath the grid as are in this demonstration, you may select the entire table via clicking and dragging across all objects using the Select tool. Once all objects are selected green, go to the top toolbar under the menu Mesh/combine. This will make the entire object one. After this task is complete, press the W key in order to move the table to the correct height, using the Y axis.

Now that a table has successfully been created, the tutorial will now move onto the chair.

Lesson one - 1/3

Lesson phase one: Maya 3D basics

For the first lesson Maya 3D was introduced to the class. A tutorial on the basics of Maya 3D and construction of a simple object/scene was created afterwards. It is imperative in the lesson that the short cuts are memorized, for in the profession chances of employment are decreased due to lack of professionalism in knowing how to navigate software.

W Key: Move tool

R Key: Scale tool

E Key: Rotation tool

Red – X axis

Green – Y axis

Blue – Z axis

Yellow – Axis you have selected

To freely navigate around the perspective and object, hold Alt + Left mouse button

To pan across the object, hold Alt + Scroll button

To zoom in and out of object/perspective, hold Alt + Right mouse button

To switch between Object mode and Component mode, press F8

The small red pinpoints on the corners of the shape are Vertex points. Clicking on these will allow the user to manipulate the small area of shape, using W, E and R.

To select and manipulate other areas such as the edge or face of the shape, hover over the shape holding the right mouse click button, a menu will appear, from there the are of the shape may be selected.

For example, the Face menu will allow you to move and select any of the shapes face sides, rather than all corners.

Pressing the Space bar key will allow user to look at the object from all viewpoints, to maximize into one particular viewpoint, just hover the cursor over the area and press the Space bar key again.

After learning the basics of Maya 3D, the user should be capable of creating basic shapes. In the next post the process of creating a table and chairs will be shown.