Maya Lesson

Learn how to take an edge and spin it around a model using Maya 2011's Spin Edge tool. 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 ...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

This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teaches users how to render their models and animations. Part 1 of 2 - How to Render in Maya 8.5. Part 2 of 2 - How to Render in Maya 8.5.

Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial on how to move objects around. You'll learn about the channel box and how to use your mouse to move around those animated 3D characters. You'll see how to rotate and flip objects and be the best 3D Maya modeler around. Y ...more

Can't quite figure out how to trim a NURBS surface when working in Maya 2011? Don't fret: This clip will 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 workf ...more

Learn how to use the newely revised Hypershade Window 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. Fo ...more

Learn how to use the new Curve Editor tool 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 info ...more

Smooth shading and make all the difference in the quality of your graphics - this is especially true with the increasingly popular HD video and computer formats. If you would like to know how to use Maya to smooth and shade your objects, follow along with this video. You will ...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

Modeling software is a wonderful tool for experimenting with modifictions of a product first before building it in real life. Plus, it's just cool to build things virtually. This Maya software tutorial teaches you how to use basic lighting effects in Maya. You'll learn which ...more

This video from accredited Maya instructor Andrew Klein of the Art Institute of San Francisco will teach you how to use just one of the innumerable powerful features of Autodesk's Maya 3D modeling software. It covers how to use a spline IK and a dynamic hair curve to drive a j ...more

Need a little help with your Autodesk Maya 8.5? Are those 3D animated objects frustrating you? Is 3D modeling just a huge headache for you? Well, this video Maya tutorial might help a bit. You need to know what to constrain and what not to constrain. So, you'll learn here how ...more

These videos will show you how to create a UV map in Autodesk Maya. Using the proper software and this human head model you will be able to follow the step-by-step instructions in this series of three videos and learn what UV mapping is and how it works. Part 1 of 3 - How to U ...more

In this software tutorial you will learn how to sculpt geometry using the sculpt geometry tool in Maya. The sculpt geometry tool is like a paint brush that allows you to paint the surface of an object in 3D. It is best used for creating terrains and other organic geometry. Thi ...more

This tutorial covers the basics of how to subdivide polygons when 3D modeling in Maya 8.

Dissect the object of its parts. Select the curves to rotate, model or scale the whole character. The Maya hot keys are as follows: W translates, R scales and E rotates. Check out this Maya character animation tutorial video from Sessions Online School of Game Art's "Characte ...more

Maya is one of the most powerful 3D asset creation programs in the world. It is also fantastically difficult to use. This seven-part video will teach you how to model an interior environment using Maya. All this video covers is modeling, nothing on lighting or any of the other ...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.

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

Compositing green screen images with images from other sources is the most important part of using a green screen. This video will teach you how to composite a green screen element with a 3D stage created using Maya in After Effects. The end result looks very professional, and ...more

Want to know how to create Bézier parametric curves when working in Maya 2011? This clip will 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 ...more

In this tutorial, learn how to use Maya to shade and smooth angles on any of your projects. This clip will walk you through the steps you need and show you examples of what your work will look like. In addition, although this task is completed on Maya, you can apply it to many ...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.

Want to know how to work with edge loops in Maya 2011? This clip will 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 sure to be well served ...more

This quick Maya tutorial shows you how to convert the normal Y axis up world to a Z axis up world.

This tutorial shows you how to subscatter particles (SSS) across the surface of a mesh using Zbrush and Maya then rendering with Mental Ray. In part one uvs are added to the Zbrush head to support the textures on the sss node. Part two shows you the basic node setup in Maya. P ...more

This two part tutorial covers three different types of forces (fields) available for use withing Maya's dynamics section. Part 1 of 2 - How to Work with fields in Maya's dynamics. Work with fields in Maya's dynamics - Part 2 of 2. Click through to watch this video on veoh.com

This two part Maya tutorial explains many elements of modeling and how to make sure you create geometry that is well constructed with good flow. It covers cutting holes in objects / Flowing one weird form into the next and still maintaining uniformed polys across the 3d surfac ...more

This tutorial demonstrates how to use high dynamic imaging (HDR) in Maya in conjunction with the Mental Ray renderer. This is helpful in creating realistic lighting for your scenes. Use high dynamic imaging in Maya. Click through to watch this video on metic.net

In this tutorial, you will see how to make flowers grow in Maya. The text is a bit hard to read, so it will help if you have some general knowledge of the Maya interface.

Using Zbrush Jason makes very high resolution textures then adds them to objects in a scene in Maya. You'll also learn how to create lighting to add realism to the scene. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 60+ minute tutorial. A download link ...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 how to use render passes in your Maya 2011 projects. 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 in ...more

Need to know how to work with polygon booleans within Maya 2011? This clip will 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 sure to be we ...more

This tutorial explores how to create and utilize the cloth effects available in Maya. Specifically, it will go over draping cloth over an object. Use the cloth effect in Maya. Click through to watch this video on metic.net

Maya is the most powerful and widely-used program in 3D graphics today. All of this power also means that it is likely the most complicated 3D modeling as well. This video features some basic tips for using Maya to create a 3D model of a human head. It doesn't have any instruc ...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 video, from accredited 3D art instructor Andrew Klein, will teach you how to use one of the many powerful features in Maya to manipulate you 3D models. Specifically, it will teach you how to use the LOD (level of detail) tool in order to control how much of your model loa ...more

Learn how to buiild a sculptable / poseable mesh for Zbrush in Maya. This tutorial is geared towards people completely new to Maya. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 60 minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP ...more

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

Learn how to edit UVs on an object and how they are made in Maya. These videos are made for a very young audience and are very easy to follow.

Learn how to organize your Maya 2011 scenes using the Outliner feature. This clip will show you how to access and use it. 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, yo ...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

This is a really simple and tutorial that shows you how to quickly and uniformly scale components of an object in Maya. This video is definitely for beginners but still a great example of how to use the scale tools when modelling. Scale components in Maya. Click through to wat ...more

Debug your Zbrush displacement maps with this handy video. Both in Maya and in 3D Studio Max.

Learn how to navigate your Maya 2011 projects using a number of keyboard shortcuts and useful on-screen tools. 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 t ...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

When modeling organic models like humans or animals where symmetry between sides is crucial, the best way to work is by building one side and mirroring it to create the other. This is the best way to insure your person or creature looks the same. In this software tutorial you ...more

Using Maya you'll learn to produce an alpha to use in Zbrush. Very easy method to make a controlled alpha without using Zdepth tools in Zbrush. In part two, Using Zbrush tools to make a tileable texture. Texture sculpting techniques and the 2.5d tools within Zbrush. Part three ...more

This video is a crash course introduction to Maya geared for kids. Learn how to create a biped that is animatable. 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 veoh.com page for the full WMP tutorial.

If you think you have all the essential tools figured out in Autodesk Maya 8.5, you probably don't. So, if you want to create awesome 3D animated characters, then maybe you should watch this Maya video to make sure you know how to keep faces together after you already know how ...more

Learn how to create depth map shadows when working 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 tutorial. F ...more

Watch this 2-part video tutorial on how to do the Maya. It's very easy to follow along, as Queen Kashii shows you this basic belly dancing move. Just remember to sway your hips the right way, and put your hands in the right place! You'll be doing the Maya in no time at all! Pa ...more

Want to select a certain object and nothing else? This clip will show you how to use Maya 2011's selection mask feature to achieve just that. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Ma ...more

In this clip, you'll learn how to import MatchMover secenes into Autodesk Maya 2010. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 3D 2010 workflow, you're sure to be well served by thi ...more

This tutorial shows you the basics of employing animation in your Maya project. Set up a series of rigid bodies, like dominoes, and then have them fall, one after the other, using the techniques outlined in this video. Make sure you've assigned them the proper attributes!