Learning Autodesk Maya 2009 - The Modeling & Animation Handbook

Welcome to Learning Autodesk? Maya? 2009

The Modeling & Animation Handbook!

Maya? is a 3D animation and visual effects software package that allows you to extend your creativity through the integration of modeling, animation, texturing, dynamics, lighting and rendering techniques. Maya offers incredible power and flexibility for generating digital images of animated characters and scenes. The Learning Autodesk Maya 2009 | The Modeling & Animation Handbook is an excellent resource to begin learning Maya!

Theme Planet is the labor of love of Austrian-born artist, Michael Sormann, who is a veteran of the computer games industry and a former employee of Rockstar Vienna.

As Sormann started sketching out concepts, the idea of a planet composed entirely of roller coasters began to emerge. "I wanted a world with a lot of very big structures and machines," says Sormann. "But I didn't want them to look too modern; more like machines from the time of the Industrial Revolution." In its final version, the planet has no surface, just one attraction piled on top of another?a landscape of rails, gears and levers, reminiscent of a Tim Burton movie.

The characters of Theme Planet couldn't be more different from the gritty, mechanical terrain they inhabit. Instead, they are whimsical and colorful, textured and shaded so that they look like stop-motion models.

About the Author

Marc-Andr? Guindon has been in the industry since the inception of Autodesk Maya in 1997. Marc-Andr? is the founder of NeoReel and his talent sees him involved in a variety of projects, including games, film, and the creation of tools and solutions to speed the workflow pipeline. He is also a very good teacher and has authored a number of books in Alias's Learning Maya series. Over the years, Marc-Andr? has also led a number of master classes for Alias and Autodesk and has also been featured on a number of Pipeline Techniques DVDs. He has done so much to help the community get a good foundation of knowledge with Maya software.

TurboSquid Files

Because learning never stops, we've provided you with some great models from for your use. TurboSquid delivers innovative 3D models from artists around the planet. From automobiles to zebras, you're sure to find 3D content that fit your needs. To access these models, click here.

Squirrel - Model provided courtesy of TurboSquid vendor 3d_Wanderer. To see more of 3d_Wanderer's work, go to the following link: 3d_Wanderer

Hare/Rabbit - Model provided courtesy of TurboSquid vendor vincenzol. To see more of vincenzol's work, go to the following link: vincenzol

Bumble Bee - Model provided courtesy of TurboSquid vendor The Maya Guy. To see more of The Maya Guy's work, go to the following link: The Maya Guy

Instructor-led Overviews

Each lesson in this book is introduced by theoretical discussion followed by step-by-step instructions. In addition, we are happy to provide you with complementary instructor overviews in QuickTime podcast format given by Autodesk certified instructor Alan Harris. These overviews are intended to provide additional discussion and demonstrations to complement some of the lessons in this book. To access these instructor overviews, click here.

Autodesk Maya Reference Guides

With the release of the Learning Maya 2009 | Modeling & Animation Handbook we've included a handy resource to help you save time while working in Maya.

Leave them on your desk for quick reference and use them to locate hotkeys at a glance.

To access the refernce guides, click here.

Support Files

Before beginning the lessons in this book, you will need to install the lesson support files. Copy the project directories found in the Support_Files folder on this disc to the maya\projects directory on your computer. Launch Maya and set the project by going to File > Project > Set... and selecting the appropriate project. You can access the contents of the support_files directory by navigating to the root of this disk with your file browser.

Updates

We have made every effort to ensure this learning tool is as up to date and complete as possible at the time of duplication. In an effort to ensure your continued success through the tutorial in this textbook, please visit the updates page on our web site for the latest updates available.