Introduction to Maya

Over the past many years, Maya has become the leading 3D application used in the film, broadcast and game industries. Hailed for its diverse toolset, Maya excels due to its integration, flexibility and performance in regards to modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, animation, rigging and effects. Designed for the individual new to Maya, this DVD contains over five hours of lecture. The essential UI (user interface) is discussed, focusing on the work- flow of an experienced user. Learn how to efficiently create, manipulate and organize hierarchies, objects, components and cameras. Many concepts are introduced including the use of Polygons versus NURBS, tesselation, antialiasing, UV Layout, projects, preferences and MEL scripts. Customization of the UI is also addressed in order to dramatically improve efficiency and workflow.

• Status Line
• Shelf
• Toolbox
• Command Line
• Time Line
• Help Line
• Primitives
• Manipulators
• Pivot Points
• Snapping Tools
• Cameras
• Hierarchies
• Outliner
• Hypergraph
• Hotbox
• Marking Menus
• Script Editor
• Hotkeys
• User Colors
• Construction History
• Channel Box
• Channel Control
• Attribute Editor
• Layer Editor
• Maya Projects
• Maya Preferences

1. UI Overview
2. Manipulation
3. Placement
4. Hierarchies
5. Selection Masks
6. Marking Menus and Hotkeys
7. User Colors
8. Channels
9. Scene Management
10. Maya Projects
11. Maya Preferences
12. NURBS vs Polygons

• Product Code: AAL02
• ISBN: 1-59762-899-9
• UPC: 805366016654
• Duration: 300 minutes
• Formats: DVD-ROM

For more information on DVD and Digital Download policies click here here.

Alex Alvarez

Founder, Director The Gnomon Workshop
Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Alex is founder and director of The Gnomon Workshop and of the Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood. Having dedicated the last decade to educating students and professional artists around the world, Alex has helped change the face of computer graphics and design education. He has been published in industry magazines, websites and books - plus he has taught courses at several major trade conferences. Alex is president of the Los Angeles Maya Users Group and sits on the Advisory Boards for Highend3D.com and CGsociety. He continues to work on personal and professional projects, recently as a creature development artist on the James Cameron film Avatar. Prior to Gnomon, Alex worked for Alias|Wavefront as a consultant and trainer for studios in the Los Angeles area. Alex is an alumnus of the Art Center College of Design and the University of Pennsylvania.