Maya Essentials

Having watched the movies that are provided to you once you open Autodesk Maya, I have grasped a better hold on the program.


 Navigation

 I learned how to do the following from the Navigation Video frame items using the (F Key), Zoom in and out using (ALT+Right Mouse), Pan around using (ALT+Middle Mouse), and Rotate or Tumble using (ALT+Left Mouse). You need to know these essentials to be able to navigate through the 3D world in which you are working in.

Transform

In the transform movie I learned how to view in an orthographic view. When in the default (Perspective View), all you have to do is tap the space bar and it will show you the: Top, Front, Side, & Perspective panels. Then I learned about the X,Y, and Z axis that are represented by a Red, Green, and Blue handle. I also learned how to Move an object using (W) to quickly select the tool. Along with the move tool I learned how to Rotate (E) and Scale (R) an object in 3D space. You can use these tools on a single object, multiple objects, or components (Parts of an object).

 Create and View Objects


The movie that explains how to create and view objects taught me about the two types of objects you can create. One object is known as a Polygonal object, and the other; NURBS. A Polygon object is made up of many faces that are flat. Whereas a NURBS object is made up of curves. You can check to see how smooth your object is by using the keys (1,2, & 3) on your keyboard. However, these views are not the actual shape of your object. I also learned that the Channel Editor shows the different properties of your created objects. Finally, I learned how to switch between views of an object by selecting the menu items above the view panel. (I also found out from a Digital-Tutors tutorial that you can use (4,5,6,7) on your keyboard to toggle them as well!

Selection

In the movie about selection within Maya, I learned how to select the entire object or components. To toggle between Object & Components of an Object, just hold (Right Mouse). You may then select faces, vertex, or any of the other component options. Be careful when selecting, because overlapping objects are selected when using the marquee selection. You can add to a selection by holding SHIFT and remove from selection by holding CTRL. To deselect a selection completely, just click on nothing (an area away from your objects).

 Secret Menus


I found the video about finding secret menus to be very helpful. I learned about most of these menus when taking a workshop at IADT, but this was a good refresher. To access menus you can select them on the top panes of Maya. You can get to a customizable options menu by clicking the Box, next to a menu item. This will open up another windows, in which you will be able to adjust attributes to your preference. You can also access an object specific menu by holding (Mouse Right) over any object. This menu will change dependent on which object you are over. Finally, I learned that you can access the hotbox menu by holding the space bar.

 Keyframe Animation


We learned all of the things that they had shown in the keyframe animation video. We learned how to set a keyframe using (S). We also learned how to adjust the settings to play the clip in real time using the playback controls in the bottom right of Maya. You can use the slider at the bottom to move through your animation and to set up to insert new keyframes. These keyframes take on the attributes that you have assigned to your object.

Materials, Lights, and Rendering

In this video I learned how to apply basic materials to created objects within Maya. The video also explains how to adjust the settings using the attribute editor on the right hand side. You can add a texture to your object as well by clicking the checkered box to the right of a menu in the editor. Once your texture is applied you may not be able to see it, Oh no! Fear not... just press (7) on your keyboard or click the checkered cube at the top of the view panel. This will allow you to view your applied texture. If you decide to add lights to your scene, you can view them by pressing (6) on your keyboard, or clicking the yellowish sphere at the top of the view panel. From this video, I also learned how to render using the render button (Shaped like a movie slap card).

Overall these videos were very helpful in getting me acclimated with the Maya interface and basic usage.