Learning Maya

[Garfield_]

I've finally decided to learn and go really far with 3D modelling and possibly animations, some of you may remember that I used to model alot in 3DSMAX before, anyway it's been like 6 months since I even touched 3DSMAX and now I want to re-learn 3D modelling and animations as I'm sure I won't remember much of it anyway but this time with Maya as a friend recommended it instead.

And as I won't learn much by reading I thought about getting those learning DVD's but I don't know which ones are good and was hoping someone from here could recommend me some.

The reason is game development

 

[Raziaar]

First of all... Maya is too damn expensive for you to have bought it, which is fine cause i've gone down that route before.

I myself am getting back into my interests of 3d modelling and animations. I want to actually push myself forward and learn all I can, rather than have it be a passive hobby.

And rather than use Maya or 3ds max, I have instead gone the route of Lightwave... which seems to be one of the best modelers around. I am actually enjoying using it, and the best thing is it's only around 400 bucks(price varies) compared to the multi thousand dollar license fees for the other two.

I currently bought a book called inside lightwave 8, and am reading that to get some technical experience.

 

[Griz]

Agree with Raziaar on this. Maya, although undoubtedly the most powerful 3D modelling / animation package, is far too expensive unless you can put up with using the Personal Learning Edition or like me have a 'flexible' moral stance to certain methods of obtaining such ludicrously priced software (although i'd never publish something i'd produced on....ahem..... less legitmate software ).

I've been a long-time fan of Lightwave and found it really easy to produce some pretty nice results with (see my sig). But i did spend a few weeks recently trying to teach myself Maya - it's got some great tools (particularly the Artisan/sculpture mode and it's dynamics tools) but i just couldn't help but return to Lightwave.

I say, give lightwave a go instead and use the 'Inside Lightwave' books or any by Dan Ablan. There are also some good online tutorial resources out there.

Good Luck, and don't forget to post your new works of art. :thumbs:

 

[Garfield_]

I was asking for tutorials not comments on how expensive the software is, how do you know I don't already own it?
But Lightwave seems interesting, what I'm looking for though is a full set of video tutorials that goes through everything from basics to well all of it

 

[Raziaar]

I was asking for tutorials not comments on how expensive the software is, how do you know I don't already own it?
But Lightwave seems interesting, what I'm looking for though is a full set of video tutorials that goes through everything from basics to well all of it

I do know you don't already own it. Trust me.

http://www.3dtrainingonline.com/support/

That site has many free hours of training videos from a guy named Larry Shultz, otherwise known as Splinegod. He's VERY good in the computer graphics industry, and is a teacher who offers a series of training DVD's. I was greatly benefitted by watching some of his free video tutorials.

His training DVD's are from here. http://www.3dtrainingonline.com/

 

[Griz]

I was asking for tutorials not comments on how expensive the software is, how do you know I don't already own it?
But Lightwave seems interesting, what I'm looking for though is a full set of video tutorials that goes through everything from basics to well all of it

I guess i thought that if you already owned Maya you'd have used the comprehensive tutorials that come with the software - certainly helped me learn at least the basics. They're not video tutorials though.....I never really liked video tutorials (prefer html / pdf ones) so i can't really recommend any....sorry.

 

[Gray Fox]

Maya has Maya Mentor tutorial, Great things, but only work on a res above 1024x1024, it's like the tutorials in sketchup, that are in the program itself.
It takes over your mouse and keyboard and makes whatever shape right there, no crappy 15 fps overly compressed vid tutorials

 

[Garfield_]

Maya has that builtin?

 

[Griz]

Maya has Maya Mentor tutorial, Great things, but only work on a res above 1024x1024, it's like the tutorials in sketchup, that are in the program itself.
It takes over your mouse and keyboard and makes whatever shape right there, no crappy 15 fps overly compressed vid tutorials

I certainly can't find this feature anywhere!?! All i can find are the bog-standard html tutorials and a few quicktime movies for the most basic features.

How exactly do you activate this 'Maya Mentor'? Is it only available in certain versions (though i have version 7.0 Unlimited)?

 

[Krynn72]

First off, Maya isnt that expensive unless your buying a commercial license. You can legitimately buy the student version (which has full functionality, no watermarks or anything, just a different license agreement) for I believe $399 for Maya Complete, $499 for Unlimited.

As for training, I suggest you join the message boards at www.3dbuzz.com. Its a fantastic community run by two amazingly generous guys and their crew. They hold live TV shows usually twice a week, and offer free video training. They also offer AN INSANE ammount of teaching with their "Mastering Maya: The Fundamentals" and their brand spanking new "Mastering Maya: Advanced Modeling". The first one has 82 hours of video, going through everything from basics behind modeling, through animation, through dynamics, and rendering and anything else there is in Maya. The Advanced Modeling one has 112 hours of video, going through every single freakin option there is relating to modeling, and actually EXPLAINING what each does. These guys are very thorough and dont skimp on anything. You make a lot of kick ass models in the process too.

Even if you decide not to buy either of those, they still have the free ones up for download... and a very helpful and cheerful community.

Ok, with that recommendation in mind... here are a few other sites i have bookmarked with tutorials.
www.3dbuzz.com
http://www.3dtotal.com
http://www.arch.columbia.edu/index.php?pageData=11718
http://www.highend3d.com/maya/tutorials/
http://www.3d-palace.com/
http://www.cgtutorials.com/c2/Alias_Maya
http://www.learning-maya.com/index.php
http://www.simplymaya.com/movie_pages/category.mhtml?cat_id=23

Well, there are a lot more out there, and a google search should bring up a lot of them. Hopefully this is enough to get you started!