Maya Manual

1. BasicsWhat Is Maya?How Best to Use This BookThe Desired EnvironmentNotes and NotationThe Maya InterfaceThe Camera ViewsHotkeysThe Spacebar and the HotboxMarking MenusSummary 2. Objects, Duplicates and TransformsIntroductionA Simple ObjectSelection MethodsThe OutlinerShaded and Unshaded Object DisplayTransformationsTransform ManipulatorsUsing the Channels Box for TransformationsA Simple Stick Character from PrimitivesHiding, Displaying and TemplatingSummary 3. Hierarchies,Groups and NodesIntroductionHierarchiesGroupsNode StructuresSummary 4. Modeling and Surface CreationIntroductionSurface Types and Their ComponentsNURBS ModelingCurvesNURBS Surface ToolsEditing the Final SurfaceA NURBS TeapotPolygon ModelingA Polygon TeapotSubdivision Surface ModelingA Subdiv SquidSculpting with ArtisanSummary 5. AnimationIntroductionThe Animation EnvironmentKeyed AnimationProcedural AnimationNon-Linear AnimationPaths and ConstraintsDeformersSkeletons, Bones and JointsBinding a Surface to a SkeletonSummary 6. RenderingIntroductionLightsThe IPR RendererMaterials and Shading GroupsTextures and Texture MappingTexturing PolygonsTexturing Subdivision SurfacesTexturing Lights and ShadowsUtilitiesBuilding a Basic ShaderEnvironmentsReflection MappingBackgrounds and IntegrationVolumesThe RendererSurface RenderingRenderer EffectsSummary 7. Particle SystemsIntroductionEmitters, Particle Objects and FieldsCollisionsVolume Fields and Volume EmittersEmitting from Surfaces and CurvesControlling Emission with TexturesParticle GoalsParticle ReplacementCaching the Scene for Improved FeedbackRendering ParticlesSummary 8.Dynamic ObjectsIntroductionRigid Body DynamicsSoft Body DynamicsClip FXSummary 9. MEL ScriptingIntroductionSimple CommandsChanging AttributesWriting ScriptsThe MEL User InterfaceSummary 10. Paint EffectsIntroductionPainting in 2DPainting in 3DAnimating Paint Effects ObjectsAnimating the GrowthRenderingSummary 11. IntegrationIntroductionThe Corridor and DoorThe TentaclesTheDoor

Alias Wavefront's Maya 3D animation software is an integrated collection of tools for creating computer generated images, used in nearly every blockbuster special effects film that has been released in the last few years. As the first choice for digital content creators, Maya combines animation, dynamics, modelling and rendering tools, enabling you to create digital characters and visual effects for live action films or stand-alone animation. This text covers all the key topics using plenty of examples and illustrations. The source files and scenes that accompany the examples are available from the Springer web site.

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