Maya Lessons

If you're an Autodesk Maya user and you're looking to create rocks, boulders or rock walls, check out this excellent 7 part tutorial and learn how it's done. Maya is a massive 3D creation tool with so many aspects it's really mind blowing. This tutorial will help you improve y ...more

This tutorial explains how to use the Maya uv editor to set up an object to be imported into the Unreal Engine so you can shoot at the object.

This covers displacement mapping in a WHOLE new way in the Maya Zbrush workflow. Using Alpha grabs in Zbrush you are able to displace geometry in Maya.

This video shows you how to assign textures to uv's on models in Maya. This is a traditional method but fundamental to understand. You'll be painting the textures on UVs using Photoshop. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this hour long tutorial. A ...more

This two part tutorial covers creating and using hinge constraints in the dynamics part of Maya. Learn how to set active and passive rigid bodies and create a playground see saw animation. Part 1 of 2 - How to Use hinge constraint dynamics in Maya. Use hinge constraint dynamic ...more

In this tutorial your learn how to create rigid bodies in the dynamics section of Maya. Dynamics is the physics based part of any 3D software package used most often in visual effects. In this tutorial you will learn the basics of creating rigid bodies in Maya by adding gravit ...more

See how easy it is to hide the view cube in the Maya viewport.

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.

In this tutorial, we learn how to work with the mia_material shader 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 ...more

This 3D modeling software tutorial will show you how to snap points in Maya 8.5. There are multiple ways to snap points which will be covered. Snapping points is one of the most important things to do when vertex modeling in Maya since it allows for ultimate control. Learn how ...more

Want to create a surface that isn't complete smooth when working in Maya 2011? Then, my friend, you'll want to know how to use the program's displacement and bump mapping tools. This clip will show you how it's done. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software o ...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

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

The bishop is widely regarded as the most powerful of chess pieces. This video by Andrew Klein will teach you how to make a 3D model of one using Maya. It is meant to help beginners learning the basics of Maya, and focuses on the use of NURBS as part of a 3D model. The previo ...more

If you've found this video, chances are that you are looking to improve your skills using Maya, the 3D modeling software. You've come to the right place. This video will teach you how to create a polygonal model of a hand, one of the most challenging and important parts of the ...more

This tutorial shows you how to use grid snapping in the Maya viewport.

This three part tutorial shows you how to work with curves in Maya. Start by learning the basics, then learn to use the curve system with polygons, then learn how to use advanced curves. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 30 minute tutorial. A ...more

This three part tutorial shows you how to model a female head correctly in Maya. This is a pretty difficult lesson so it will help if you know the software a bit already. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 2 hour tutorial. A download link is p ...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

This tutorial is using text imported from Illustrator, but the ideas will work for any text curves or curves that you want to extrude into 3 dimensional objects. Learning how to extrude is a must for Maya beginners. Extrude Adobe Illustrator text in Maya. Click through to watc ...more

In this tutorial, we learn how to rotate and revolve cameras in Maya. First, go to create primitives on the menu at the top. Next, create a camera and pull it out onto the circle. Now, click the camera and then the circle, then hit the 'p' key on the keyboard. Now, you can rot ...more

Particles are a great world to explore. In this video tutorial from CreativeCOW leader Alvaro Castaneda, well learn how to create particles in very simple ways in Maya. We also add collision objects gravity and render them in a liquid like mesh. Create particles and add collis ...more

Want to know how to do proportional modeling when working in Maya 2011? This clip will you how to do just that using the program's Soft Select tool. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with ...more

Maya is the most powerful 3D modeling tool that most people are likely to have access to. This video will teach you some basic techniques for creating 3D models in the program by teaching you how to make a chair from scratch. It's not a very exciting chair, sure, but you have ...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

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

Mastering the intricacies of 3D modeling in Maya can take a lifetime, or as close to a lifetime as anyone has had since Maya came out in. This video for Maya beginners will teach you the basics of modeling by walking you through modeling a toy rooster. The model doesn't look t ...more

Learn how to point snap in Maya in this tutorial. Point snapping allows you to point to any vertex, particle or point.

In this tutorial you will learn how to download textures, bring them in to Maya and use them in the Hypershader.

Did you know there is more than one way to mirror geometry in Maya? You are probably familiar with the newer mirror tool but there used to be another way to mirror your geometry. See how we used to kick it before some of these tools came around in the later versions of Maya. A ...more

The human skeleton may not be that artistically satisfying by itself, but a good realistic model of one is the basis of much of the most anatomically correct and natural-looking art. This three-part video will teach you how to 3D model a skeleton using Maya, starting with the ...more

In this two part tutorial from Alvaro Castaneda you will learn how to create a logo in Maya. We begin by tracing the logo in a vector app, then use that to start building the logo, using Maya to bring it to life. In part two we add shaders to our geometry to later light and re ...more

Modeling the human body in any medium is tough. In Maya, the premiere 3D art software, some say that most difficult parts of the whole body to model are the feet and the ears. This seven-part video will help you model the former in great detail. Watch this video on how to mode ...more

This tutorial shows you how to show shadows in the Maya viewport. This feature is hardware dependent and not all video cards allow it.

New to Maya (AKA Autodesk Maya)? Not to worry. This tutorial will save your day! Not only will you learn how to use all the basic tools in the graphic design software, but you will also create your first impressive 3D model - a house made from polygon shapes. This simple hous ...more

This Gears of War lesson will be taking a simple mesh from Maya and exporting it into the Unreal engine and applying a collision mesh to it so that it will move when you shoot it.

Want to incorporate your 3D objects into real photos? Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with application and its workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more i ...more

Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial on how to use the Trax editor for your 3D animated object. If you're 3D modeling, then this is a must know. So watch this three-parter to animate your character with Trax, in a series of poses that need looped. Part 1 of 3 - How ...more

This tutorial shows you how to work with deformers and blend shapes in Maya. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 45 minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the veoh.com page for the full WMP tutorial.

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

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

Photoshop CS4 and Maya do very different things, but can be combined very effectively to create photorealistic 3D images. This three-part video will teach you how to combine a photo and a 3D model of a head to create a 3D model with photrealistic textures overlaid on it. This ...more

This tutorial shows you how to reflect component transformations to the opposite side of a symmetrical model in Maya. This sounds complicated, but it really just allows you to mirror your transformations from one side to another.

This tutorial shows you how to edit primitives, also known as box modeling, to create objects in Maya. This video is geared towards younger students new to Maya.

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

Need a little big of help figuring out how to use the Maya 2011 NURBS tool 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 May ...more

This video is another in a series on working with Zbrush to create textures to be used in Maya. This particular video covers generating diffuse maps.

This tutorial shows you many of the different tools available in Maya for modeling a biped creature. 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.

This lesson shows you how to setup your viewports with reference for modeling in Maya. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 30 minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the veoh.com page for the full WMP tutorial.

This software tutorial teaches you how to model a basic candle out of polygons in Maya. Polygonal modeling is the easiest to learn so follow along and watch how to model a used candle in Maya.

Modeling a face using Maya or any other 3D art program is tough to do without having the result end up looking like a zombie. See the film Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within if you don't know what I'm talking about. This six-part video will help you avoid this problem in your ow ...more

Interested in making some eyeballs? Here's a quick and easy way to make them using textures readily available on Highend 3d and a NURBS sphere. And this guide will show you how. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to ...more

Learn how to use the UV texture editor in Maya to create tileable textures.

This lesson provides a quick introduction to using cloth in Maya.

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

This video shows you how to activate and customize Maya to incremental save.

In this tutorial you will learn how to UV map a motherboard box in Maya. This Maya software tutorial covers basic UV mapping procedures and using UV's to place textures on an object like a motherboard box.

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 video tutorial, we learn how to create creases and hard edges 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 vi ...more