Lynda - Creating Simulations in Maya Dynamics with Aaron F Ross

Lynda.com - Creating Simulations in Maya Dynamics with Aaron F Ross

Author:??? Aaron F. Ross

Subject: 3D + Animation

Software: Maya 2013

Level: Intermediate

Duration: 2h 12m

Released: Nov 30, 2012

The dynamic simulation tools in Maya allow animators and visual effects artists to create convincing animations that would be too difficult or time consuming to keyframe by hand. This course covers the basics of the classic dynamics engine, showing how to build a simulation with passive and active rigid bodies, add attributes like bounce and friction, integrate the simulation with keyframes, and apply dynamic constraints. Author Aaron F. Ross shows how to apply these techniques to a realistic scenario, while explaining tools and concepts like the Rigid Body Solver, gravity fields, and dynamic constraints.

Topics include:

Choosing a scale convention

Laying out the scene

Modeling proxy objects

Creating passive and active rigid bodies

Imparting an initial velocity

Improving performance

Applying damping

Adjusting mass

Adding a Radial field

Keying the Active attribute

Baking the simulation to keyframes

Creating Hinge and Spring constraints