Creating a Character in Maya

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 ...more

If you need to create an animated character, Maya is the software program for you. If you don't know how to make that character you've dreamed up, then maybe you should check out this Maya video tutorial on an important step -- creating a skeleton structure. Creating bones cou ...more

If you want to be a character animator, you should probably learn Maya, and definitely learn rigging. This tutorial shows you how to create muscle movement simulations (or muscle rigging) for any creature or character with bones.

The female torso is arguably the most popular thing to depict in the history of art. Go figure. This seven-part video will teach you how to create a 3D character model of a female torso using Maya. The creator uses a background image that we could not track down, but you can p ...more

This tutorial explains how to create lip sync and facial animations in Maya on a figure. This is an important skill to have if you plan on becoming a character animator. Create lip sync animations in Maya. Click through to watch this video on vtutorial.com

This tutorial shows you how to create a working piston in Maya. The key is to use constraints so that as one piece moves, the others move accordingly. Even if you don't want to make pistons, this is a good constraint example(something essential to creating skeletons and riggin ...more

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 ...more

This tutorial shows you how to export a character out of Maya and into the generic browser to animate it in Unreal Engine 3.0 for Gears of War.

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 wit ...more

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 chara ...more

Here we build a skeleton for the character and bind the skeleton to the geometry in Maya. This is also known as rigging a character.

This is the basic bone animation using a character set and the hypergraph within Maya. Geared for kids to learn 3D modeling and animating this video is great for beginners.

This tutorial shows you how to take your Zbrush character into Maya, pose it, and import the pose back into Zbrush. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this hour long tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutorial.

Character rigging is important. Advanced Rigging makes it easier to animate your character. View joints and nerves so that you may easily select parts of the character. Check out this Maya animation tutorial video from Sessions Online School of Game Art's "Character Animation ...more

In this tutorial, we learn how to work with diffuse reflections when creating textures and shaders within Maya 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're ...more

In this tutorial, we learn how to work with normal maps within Maya 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutori ...more

Learn how to convert a skeleton of a character for Unreal Tournament 3 (UT3) from 3D Studio Max to Maya and import it into the Unreal engine.

The sampler deformer tool is a great way to blend or "morph" characters or objects. In this tutorial you'll see how to use this tool with an example from X-Men and the character Mystique. Morph characters like Mystique in Maya. Click through to watch this video on vtutorial.com

Creating good UVs with Maya can be tough, and get tougher depending on what type of object you are trying to unwrap. This short video tutorial covers how to create accurate UVs for long objects like rope or, in this case, shoelaces. This is a simple technique, but one that sho ...more

This tutorial series shows you how to work with lighting in Maya by creating a stain glass window with a candle in front of it. This is a great in-depth look at lighting. Part one sets up a 3 point lighting system within maya. so this is a general overview of many light proper ...more

This clip provides a complete guide on creating a full body rig for a 3D model within Blender. It demonstrates how to do a full setup on the left half (creating and placing bones, and also applying constraints), and copy it over to the right side for a perfectly symmetrical ri ...more

This video will show you how to create a 3D cartoon character using a website called Xtranormal. In the program, you should first pick the scene where you want your action to occur as well as the 3D character which you would like to be present in the scene. You can then type a ...more

So you want to make your own video game using Flash CS4 and Actionscript 3. We applaud your chutzpah. This video will walk you through what should probably be your first steps: importing a sprite character, making them move around in response to keyboard inputs, and making the ...more

Make-up artist/costume extraordinaire, Kandee Johnson amazingly recreates the look of the evil witch from 101 Dalmations, Cruella De Vil! In his tutorial, Kandee teaches an important skill in a lot of costume make-up application: how to erase your eyebrows. Kandee Johnson is ...more

Make-up artist, Kandee Johnson takes us through, step-by-step, how to transform our faces into traditional geisha girls with the application of make-up! Super fun! Kandee Johnson is a master at re-creating character looks with make-up application. Be sure to search "kandeethe ...more

In this step-by-step tutorial, watch as the talented make-up & hair extraordinaire, Kandee Johnson recreates the make-up and famous eye of Egyptian princess Cleopatra! Kandee Johnson is a master at re-creating character looks with make-up application. Be sure to search "kande ...more

In this how-to, watch as talented artist & make-up extraordinaire, Kandee Johnson recreates the spooky look of Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands, famously played by Johnny Depp. Kandee Johnson is a master at re-creating character looks with make-up application. Be sure to sear ...more

In this how-to, watch as remarkable make-up artist, Kandee Johnson shows how to apply makeup to steal the creepy Joker look from Batman! Specifically, Heath Ledger's look as the role of Joker in the recent Batman re-make "The Dark Knight." Kandee Johnson is a master at re-cre ...more

Make-up artist, Kandee Johnson transforms herself into the King of Pop, Michael Jackson! With just some shading and contouring, watch as Kandee remarkably alters the shape of her face with the illusion of makeup! Kandee Johnson is a master at re-creating character looks with ...more

Make-up artist, Kandee Johnson transforms into an Oompa Loompa from the beloved classic film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! To get the orange glowing face, Kandee uses Make-Up Forever's Flash palette. Kandee Johnson is a master at re-creating character looks with make-up ...more

In this how-to, watch as the talented make-up & hair extraordinaire, Kandee Johnson recreates the hair of the classic Walt Disney princess character Snow White. If you're looking to try this look this Halloween or for your next costume party, be sure to search for the Snow Whi ...more

In this video by amazing make-up artist, Kandee Johnson, we learn how to apply the make-up and costume of character, Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. Specifically, Johnson develops the character look from the newer Tim Burton re-make of the movie, the Queen of Hearts ...more

Make-up artist/costume extraordinaire, Kandee Johnson recreates the look of the beloved spunky little fairy from Walt Disney's Peter Pan, Tinkerbell! Complete with blonde wig, spirit gum, glued "pixie" dust... and loads of green eyeshadow! Few "find" links: Tinkerbell Wig YAB ...more

Wow! Watch as the talented make-up & hair extraordinaire, Kandee Johnson transforms herself into 80's rocker, Cyndi Lauper and proves that girls just want to have fun! By following this tutorial, you might just win next year's Halloween costume contest! Note: Find the Cyndi L ...more

In this tutorial, make-up artist, Kandee Johnson shows how to get Walt Disney's Snow White look down next Halloween! The following products were used of achieve this look: Ruby Woo lipstick by MAC, Chesnut lipliner by MAC, Lise Watier Concealer, false eyelashes, any white eye ...more

Watch as amazing make-up artist, Kandee Johnson transforms herself into Barbie with this step-by-step tutorial on how to apply the make-up and look of this famous blond bombshell doll! The following eyeshadows were used to achieve this look: MAC in Pen & Ink, Da Blng, Carbon, ...more

In this tutorial, amazing make-up artist, Kandee Johnson shows how to get Walt Disney's beautiful Princess Jasmine look from Alladin! Watch as Kandee transforms herself into a whole new her! (Get it? A Whole New World? A Whole New Her?) The following products were used of ach ...more

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 ...more

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. Pa ...more

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. Part 1 of 5 - How to Use viewports in Maya 8.5. Use view ...more

This Flash tutorial gives detailed steps for creating and animating a character. Use Flash to draw and animate. Click through to watch this video on acrobat.com

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 mo ...more

Interested in creating textures from bitmaps when working in Maya 2011? Allow this clip to show you how it's done. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're su ...more

The platform game is probably the most popular style of game of all time (1st person shooters are catching up) thanks to Mario. Have you ever wanted to make your own? This video is here to help you get started. It will walk you through the first steps in the process, creating ...more

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 ...more

Learn how to create global illumination effects in Maya 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more ...more

This clip demonstrates how to use the box-modeling technique to create a full character. The box-modeling technique is a good way to quickly visualize the shape of your character, rather than a creating the detail from the beginning. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundatio ...more

This clip presents a general overview of how to go about creating a custom face rig for character animation within Blender 2.49 or 2.5 Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting ...more

If you want to learn how to use Autodesk Maya 8.5, then starting off in the video could be a good thing for your animation projects. In this tutorial, you'll learn some basic Maya parenting techniques to help you along your way to magnificent character development. So, if your ...more

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 ...more

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 you ...more

Creating 3D models of the human head that will show emotion, eat, and do all the other things that heads do properly is hard. Fortunately, this video is here to help you get started. It demonstrates the basics of 3D head modeling using 3D Studio MAX. Follow these instructions ...more

Tire treads may not seem like a terribly important thing to model properly, but they are intricate and learning how to do it is a valuable experience. This video will walk you through creating a 3D model of a tire tread using Maya, specifically brutalizing a bend deformer.

Learn everything you could possibly want to know about the internet, multiplayer game Evony with tutorials from EvonyTutorials. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to play the basics in Evony online. See exactly what the game Evony is! In these videos: Part 1 - Creating a ...more

Pretty much every efficient type of modern vehicle features some sort of suspension to cushion its landings and smooth its ride. This means that modeling a suspension accurately is an important part of creating 3D models of vehicles. This four-part video will teach you how to ...more

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to UV unwrap a full, stylized female character. The tutorial covers creating seams, unwrapping, pinning and techniques to reduce stretching. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphi ...more

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 Ma ...more

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 t ...more

Artist Stephanie Valentin takes us through the steps of how to draw the X-Men character Wolverine in Photoshop. She outlines the necessary tools to be able to make the drawing and provides detailed information on width, shading, and opacity to make sure the colors are all accu ...more