Autodesk Maya Basics
We continue our look at the core digital content creation applications; this issue, we explore Maya
We explore the basics of Maya
If you are new to CGI, there are far too many tools to choose from in a dizzying array of software. This series aims to break everything in CGI down to the very basics so that every artist can be armed with the knowledge of which tool is best. This month we look at Autodesk Maya.
When movie studios create behind-the-scenes videos to demonstrate how artists brought their creations to life, and you can see 3D software on an artist’s workstation, there is a high likelihood that it will indeed be Autodesk Maya.
A favourite with studios throughout the world, Maya is a veteran of the CG industry, and there are a few key reasons why Maya dominates the VFX space.
First of all, Maya has probably the fastest and most well-detailed preview windows of any digital content creation software.
The Viewport 2.0 speed, when coupled with class-leading character animation tools, also makes Maya the first port of call for any artist wanting to explore character work.
Maya has an extensible modelling language (MEL) too, which studios across the world have used to make Maya a ‘bespoke’ 3D software for an individual studio’s needs. MEL has meant that plugins developed by studios have become core firstparty tools, such as ‘MASH’, the advanced motion graphics and cloning toolset, which is deeply integrated throughout Maya.
Maya offers artists a complete toolset; the software is such a good all-rounder, with the aforementioned character tools, great subdivision and NURBS modelling toolsets. Maya also ships with the excellent Arnold as a first-party render solution which, as it is Cpu-based, will be able to work on Windows, Mac or Linux out of the box.
While not as potentially ‘friendly’ as other 3D software for new artists, with a wide array of excellent training from Autodesk and third-party providers, Maya is certainly one to learn due to its ubiquitousness in the industry – even if it will not be the primary software an artist uses for 3D creation. Let’s take a look at some of its core features.
01 THE UI
Autodesk Maya’s user interface is not one of the most friendly on the market. Because Maya is a pretty jam-packed piece of software, Autodesk has organised it into different working environments. Maya has a drop-down menu at the top left of the screen to switch between the different workspaces quickly. A better option is to use the Windows>workspaces menu items to change not just the tools and menu, but the entire UI to suit a specific task.
02 MOTION GRAPHICS
Over the past couple of years, Autodesk has worked hard to make Maya an all-round application for standalone artists, making the most of Viewport 2.0. A great example of this is the MASH system for motion graphics. MASH employs a logical approach to adding elements for building complex networks and relationships quickly with meshes, text and near enough any component of the Maya toolset. With fast previews, motion graphics can be modified more quickly in Maya than in other 3D software.
03 FX TOOLSET
Maya has one of the most impressive FX toolsets of any of the major 3D applications, with full dynamics and Bifrost, the fluid and FX simulation solution that is a core part of Maya. With Bifrost, an artist can create complex fluid simulations that include foam directly within Maya, without having to resort to thirdparty plugins. Maya was the first of the Autodesk applications to implement the Bifrost toolset, making it the ideal FX platform in the Autodesk suite.
04 MODELLING TOOLS
Maya has a fantastic and fully featured NURBS and subdivision toolset. The great thing about modelling in Maya is that it is a partially non-destructive toolset, meaning that artists can go back and tweak elements such as bevel depth or extrusion divisions as required. Couple these modelling tools with an excellent selection paradigm and it’s easy to see why so many modellers use Maya without the need for any third-party modelling applications. •