REU Modeling Course - Part 1
AutoDesk Maya
Program Introduction
Workshop Workflow
Compare/introduce CAD programs and purposes
Maya Interface review
Creating/Experimenting with Polygonal Models
Today’s mini goal
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Today’s Mini Goal Inspiration
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
VRAC Computer Aided Design (CAD) “Flavors”
Digital Product Design (DPD)
Concept Design
Marketing
Engineering
Manufacturing
Free-Form ModelingDesign and Modeling
Rendering and Animation
OtherVisualization
Format
Exchange/Conversion
Post Processing
VRAC
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Free-form Design & Modeling CAD
๏ Free-Form Modeling CAD
- Design and Modeling (only)
- Scene Rendering and Animation
- Examples:
- Cinema 4D
- 3DS Max
- Blender
- Rhinoceros 3D
DPD
Other
Free-
Form
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
“Other” Free-form modeling
DPDFree-
Form
Other
๏ Conceptual Design: ASDS, SpaceClaim, Fusion 360
๏ Visualization: OpenSceneGraph, Unity
๏ Sculpting: MudBox, zBrush, Form Z
๏ Mesh Edit/Repair: Materialise Magics, Rhino 3D
๏ Data Translation: SAP Visual Enterprise
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Let’s Jump in to Maya
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Autodesk Maya Interface: Component Map
Today’s Interface components focus:
A. Menu Bar
B. Status Line
C. Shelf
D. Channel Box
E. Toolbox
F. Workspace
G. Help Hints
ABC
D
E
F
G
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Project File / Menu Bar
๏Saving projects: Make sure to create an empty folder to save your stuff in your desktop (we want to make sure to keep everything from that project together)
๏On the top: The items such as: File, edit, create, select, modify, display, window. NEVER CHANGE.
๏Everything else in that line will change according to the menu set (under file/edit, dropdown box)
๏ Menu sets include: Modeling, rigging, animation, FX, rendering, customize
๏ Use MODELING menu set for all of today’s workshop.
๏ Next to it we also have icons that allow us to: create new scene, undo, redo, file, save
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Menu Sets
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏ In the Perspective Viewport we can tumble/rotate around the scene by pressing alt/cmd + left mouse button.
๏ Alt + left mouse click = orbit around scene
๏ Alt + middle mouse button = pan/dolly scene
๏ Alt + right mouse click/ Alt + scroll wheel = camera truck: move away or towards
๏ Press F = frames selected object in scene
๏ Press A = frames all objects in scene
Moving around in Maya
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏ Polygon Primitives include: Sphere, cube, cylinder, cone, plane,
torus(donut), prism, pyramid, pipe, helix, soccer ball, platonic solids.
๏ To create primitives go to Create > select desired primitive.
๏ Automatically dropped in the origin (X = 0, Y = 0, Z= 0)
๏ Can be also dragged and created
๏Check out Interactive Creation at the bottom of primitive creation
menu – step by step visual creation
Polygon Models: Primitive Types
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏ NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline Surface)
๏ Has a lot less details for the same amount of curvature due to it’s patch-based modeling system
๏ It’s Composed of curves rather than straight lines
๏ Less flexible when it comes to modeling
๏ POLYGONS
๏ Can create objects much quicker and easier
๏ Larger tool availability in Maya
๏ Used more frequent than NURBS
Difference between NURBS & Polygons
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
The Toolbar & Functions
๏Select (Q)
๏Move (W)
๏Rotate (E)
๏Scale (R)
๏Delete Key or Edit < Delete
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏ Select = Hotkey Q or Left click
๏ Left click outside the object to de-select
๏ Select multiple objects
๏ left click + shift
๏ left click and drag (marquee box)
๏ Lasso select
๏ De-select: click object again
๏ Last object is a different selection color
Selecting Objects
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏Move = Hotkey W
๏Manipulator/Handles will appear, these let you
translate on a single axis (X,Y,Z)
๏ The different boxes will move 2 axis it is
standing between.
๏We can move various objects at the same time
Moving Objects
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Polygon Primitives: Progress
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Scaling Objects
๏ Scale = Hotkey R
๏ Only works around the object’s pivot point
๏Manipulator/Handles will appear, these let you
translate on a single axis (X,Y,Z)
๏ The different boxes will scale 2 axis it is standing
between.
๏We can scale various objects at the same time
๏ Specific proportions can be specified in the
channel box, where the object’s properties are
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Scaling Objects
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Rotating Objects
๏ Rotate = Hotkey E
๏ Only works around the object’s pivot
point
๏Manipulator/Handles will appear, these let
you translate/scale on a single axis (X,Y,Z)
๏ The different boxes will scale 2 axis it is
standing between.
๏We can rotate various objects at the same
time
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Rotating Objects
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏ To the right of the screen: The Channel Box/Layer Editor will
appear
๏ Let’s you know you have created a primitive (ex: pCube1)
๏ Provides all of the properties for that object
๏ Can change the object’s subdivision, radius, etc.
๏Hints:
๏ Select 2 or more property boxes + enter value = updates all
๏ Select property box + hover mouse until you see slider icon
arrows + hold & move mouse = changes value with a slider
Polygon Models: Channel Box Editor
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏ Duplicate = ctrl + D OR Edit > Duplicate
๏Manipulator/Handles will appear, these let
you translate on a single axis (X,Y,Z)
๏New duplicate is its own object (rename it)
๏We can duplicate various objects at the same
time by selecting multiple objects
๏ Edit > Duplicate transform: performs
duplication of last object with the transform that
followed
๏ Edit > Duplicate special: create an array with
properties to mass duplicate
Duplicating Objects
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Duplicating Objects: Progress
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Snapping Objects
๏ Positions objects precisely in relation to other objects/options
๏ Selected objects will:
๏ Snap to grid
๏ Snap to curves (NURBS function)
๏ Snap to points (vertices or points in another object)
๏ Snap to projected center
๏ Snap to view planes (will need to create arbitrary planes)
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Snapping Objects
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Resetting Transformation
๏ Resets or brings back an object to its original position without affecting other objects
๏Neutral state = (x = 0, y = 0, z = 0)
๏ It will NOT undo what you have done up until that point
๏ Reset transformations on the selected object back to zero (return to first or last “frozen” position).
๏ select object > Modify > Reset transformation
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Freezing Transformation
๏ Controls which types of transformations (translate, rotate,
scale or join orient) are frozen
๏ Re-defines origin to zero in the new
transformation. Freeze transforms
sets all values back to zero without
physically moving the object back to
origin.
๏ select object > Modify > Freeze transformation
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏ Viewport can be changed by hitting
the spacebar.
๏ The views are orthographic (display
scene elements without perspective)
๏ Top, Right Side, Front
๏ If we put the mouse over one of the
views and press the spacebar again, it
will fullscreen that option.
Maya Viewports
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏ Provides one entry for every object in the scene (objects, cameras, lights, etc.)
๏ Found in: Windows > Outliner or Panels
> Outliner or on the side panel
๏ Allows you to select and arrange objects
around.
๏ Shift click for all and in-between
๏ Control click for single-multiple objects
Working with the Outliner
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
๏Hold spacebar down = Hotbox shortcut menu
๏ + click & hold ‘MAYA’ + drag mouse to view choice
๏ + click & hold ‘Recent Commands’
๏ Select object + right click & hold = Marking menu
๏ Changes depending on selected item
๏ Access to components of the object (ex: vertex, face, edge)
๏Window > Settings/Preferences > Preferences
= Customize the interface menus
Additional Interface Features
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
all of these tools can be used on: points(vertices),
faces, & edges
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Select Polygonal Components
๏Mark menu to get into vertex, edge, or face components
๏ Select component + shift + double click component on same axis = Select in between two locations
๏ Select edge + double click same edge = Selects edge loop
๏ Select vertex/face + double click adjacent unity = Selects vertices/face loop
๏ Select multiple components + < or > = Grow or shrink selection size
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Let’s get abstract!
๏ Mini Activity: 10 - 15 minutes
๏ Explore how tools affect vertices, faces & edges
๏ Start with 3 shapes and edit them until you can no longer recognize the original shape
๏ Turn into an abstract shape or a different object
๏ Test different scenarios
๏ What happens if a face is deleted?
๏ Can you add a face back in to complete the object?
๏ Showcase to everyone at the end of the activity
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Today’s Mini Goal
Good: Create 3 objects: a small house, tool shed, or barn house with a
landscape or “floor” to rest on + a fence + a single object that could move
(ex: animal, tumble weed, wagon)
Use most of the tools you learned in class today.
Better: Add 4 or 5 more smaller elements = rocks, bench, bush, picnic table,
bench, chairs, table, chimney, stepping stones, etc.
Even Better: have 6 or more different elements in your scene that complement
each other in the scene (example: tool shed, stepping stones, toolbox, garden box,
fountain, etc).
CAD Programs Mini GoalMaya Interface Polygonal Models
Today’s Mini Goal Inspirations
References/More on…
- lynda.com Provides a video playlist under “MAYA 2019 Essential Training”
- Youtube
- autodesk.com
- https://www.youtube.com/user/MayaHowTos
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYffAx5Cja9hoRVSXilO_vI16Z_ZEUnFF
- Google Search Terms, write “Maya” + :
- Menu Bar, Menu Sets
- NURBS vs Polygons
- Polygon Primitives
- Channel Box Editor
- Toolbar
- Viewports
- vertices, faces, edges
- resetting transformations
- freezing transformations
- Snapping objects