Maya Models
by Shooter · in Artist Corner · 03/18/2002 (6:40 pm) · 15 replies
Would anyone know of any "Intermediate" tutorials out there anywhere?
I keep seeing the same planetquake player model tutorial - yet there doesn't seem to be one that explains an easy way to select all polys on one side of a model.
I have turned back culling off and still it wants to take them all.
Also in the UVEd. everyone say to unfold the polys, yet no one seems to know how thats down while retaining the size/shape ratio.
Last item: Yes, I did run through all the docs that I have and the help files never seem to be quite right (Maya 4 Unlimited)
-Shooter
I keep seeing the same planetquake player model tutorial - yet there doesn't seem to be one that explains an easy way to select all polys on one side of a model.
I have turned back culling off and still it wants to take them all.
Also in the UVEd. everyone say to unfold the polys, yet no one seems to know how thats down while retaining the size/shape ratio.
Last item: Yes, I did run through all the docs that I have and the help files never seem to be quite right (Maya 4 Unlimited)
-Shooter
#2
There is a stripped down MAYA for about 2500$ but Lightwave and MAX are infinitely better. Maya doesn't even have subdivision surfaces unless you buy Unlimited and the renderer is not very good, so you'll be spending 3000$ for Mental Ray or 8000$ for Renderman to get video grade renders.
MAYA is really only feasible for movie studios or very wealthy game designers. Most of the essential tools are already in programs like MAX, Lightwave or even Milkshape at fractions of the price. It's intended use is high end CG scenes for Hollywood studios, a lot of MAYA's features are overkill for games.
03/18/2002 (11:20 pm)
A:W charges around 8000$ for MAYA complete, twice that for Unlimited. Plus the maintenance contract is 3000$ per seat per year.There is a stripped down MAYA for about 2500$ but Lightwave and MAX are infinitely better. Maya doesn't even have subdivision surfaces unless you buy Unlimited and the renderer is not very good, so you'll be spending 3000$ for Mental Ray or 8000$ for Renderman to get video grade renders.
MAYA is really only feasible for movie studios or very wealthy game designers. Most of the essential tools are already in programs like MAX, Lightwave or even Milkshape at fractions of the price. It's intended use is high end CG scenes for Hollywood studios, a lot of MAYA's features are overkill for games.
#3
Ofcourse this won't work if you have a more complex model.
To use the backface culling, select the object you want to enable the backfaceculling on (or select all objects).
Next go to Display->Custom Polyon Display and enable the backface culling.
Now enter face mode and select the faces you like. The ones at the back wont be selected.
As for tutorials..I'm almost completed with a boxmodelling tutorial (make a sword) for MAYA. I'll try to get it done over the weekend.
There is now a demo version of maya, that you can get from the alias|wavefront website. It should have all the features, but the rendered images will get a watermark.
03/19/2002 (4:42 am)
To select all the faces on one side, simply enter face mode, and then view the object from the side. Now you can use box select to e.g. select all the front faces.Ofcourse this won't work if you have a more complex model.
To use the backface culling, select the object you want to enable the backfaceculling on (or select all objects).
Next go to Display->Custom Polyon Display and enable the backface culling.
Now enter face mode and select the faces you like. The ones at the back wont be selected.
As for tutorials..I'm almost completed with a boxmodelling tutorial (make a sword) for MAYA. I'll try to get it done over the weekend.
There is now a demo version of maya, that you can get from the alias|wavefront website. It should have all the features, but the rendered images will get a watermark.
#4
He's right, Maya 4 runs anywhere from 2,500.00 to 16,000.00 (unlimited). and slightly more (ok alot more) for the server side to manage all the artists and projects.
Max,
I think the differences between the 3DSMax, Lightwave and Maya is the UI.
I loved LightWave vers 5 through 6 (haven't played with 7) The rendering was very nicely done and the learning curve was not too steep.
Conversly, Something like Bryce (imho) was garbage. Now for 3DSMax, that interface seems to "Cartoony" if thats a word. Abeit one of the most popular studios for gamers and game dev teams to model with. I don't think that speaks to its abilities. I think that it gets used more for specifically the reasons that you point out, its priced lower. Therefore more people buy it and use it - this in and of itself does not make it a "better" product. *Note "Better" is a subjective term.
Stang,
If I may call you that? Thanks for the recap there. I am aware of the settings for the "BCulling" I have tried both ways on/off and it still wants to select all. I'll keep on looking as well (see above). I asked in the forum if anyone knew of a better way than selecting each individual face and "generate UVs from camera view"? Though I do very much appreciate the timely responses to my post. This shows me that at least some of you out there have an idea as to what I'm talking about.
and for that, I'd have to raise a toaste to the gG team for making it possible.
I look forward to seeing your tutorial once its completed... I'll be looking for it.
-Shooter
p.s. Maya 4 Unlimited is ready to move to the next level of gaming design once the hardware catches up....
03/19/2002 (7:17 pm)
Matt, He's right, Maya 4 runs anywhere from 2,500.00 to 16,000.00 (unlimited). and slightly more (ok alot more) for the server side to manage all the artists and projects.
Max,
I think the differences between the 3DSMax, Lightwave and Maya is the UI.
I loved LightWave vers 5 through 6 (haven't played with 7) The rendering was very nicely done and the learning curve was not too steep.
Conversly, Something like Bryce (imho) was garbage. Now for 3DSMax, that interface seems to "Cartoony" if thats a word. Abeit one of the most popular studios for gamers and game dev teams to model with. I don't think that speaks to its abilities. I think that it gets used more for specifically the reasons that you point out, its priced lower. Therefore more people buy it and use it - this in and of itself does not make it a "better" product. *Note "Better" is a subjective term.
Stang,
If I may call you that? Thanks for the recap there. I am aware of the settings for the "BCulling" I have tried both ways on/off and it still wants to select all. I'll keep on looking as well (see above). I asked in the forum if anyone knew of a better way than selecting each individual face and "generate UVs from camera view"? Though I do very much appreciate the timely responses to my post. This shows me that at least some of you out there have an idea as to what I'm talking about.
and for that, I'd have to raise a toaste to the gG team for making it possible.
I look forward to seeing your tutorial once its completed... I'll be looking for it.
-Shooter
p.s. Maya 4 Unlimited is ready to move to the next level of gaming design once the hardware catches up....
#5
I think that MAX with character studio and Mental Ray is more than a match for MAYA at a similar price range. Especially if you're already familiar with MAX. The same goes for Lightwave with Messiah and a good particle plug-in. Both packages can include fur, cloth and 3d paint plug-ins for a lower cost than unlimited. Softimage is another alternative as well. It costs 4000$ less than MAYA unlimited with a very competitive feature set.
I agree that user interface is one of the most important parts of a 3d package. But I'm not going to pay several thousand more for it.
I prefer Lightwave because I learned on Milkshape3D and the menu setup and UI are very similar. That's why I don't really care for MAX's UI, it seems to interfere with workflow and is very hard for a beginner to use.
Bryce is way too cartoony and the menus have the exact opposite problem of MAX. They try to hide too much from you, which makes it hard to use advanced features. I like Vue D'Espirit much better because the menu system gives you more control.
03/20/2002 (1:08 am)
I was referring to the 2500$ version of MAYA. At that price level A:W removed a lot of functionality to differentiate it from the other MAYA products and it's feature set is definitly inferior to MAX or Lightwave. I think that the lack of subdivision really hurts MAYA as well. Most of the high end 3D artists I know use that technique extensively and for 8000$ a program like MAYA should include it.I think that MAX with character studio and Mental Ray is more than a match for MAYA at a similar price range. Especially if you're already familiar with MAX. The same goes for Lightwave with Messiah and a good particle plug-in. Both packages can include fur, cloth and 3d paint plug-ins for a lower cost than unlimited. Softimage is another alternative as well. It costs 4000$ less than MAYA unlimited with a very competitive feature set.
I agree that user interface is one of the most important parts of a 3d package. But I'm not going to pay several thousand more for it.
I prefer Lightwave because I learned on Milkshape3D and the menu setup and UI are very similar. That's why I don't really care for MAX's UI, it seems to interfere with workflow and is very hard for a beginner to use.
Bryce is way too cartoony and the menus have the exact opposite problem of MAX. They try to hide too much from you, which makes it hard to use advanced features. I like Vue D'Espirit much better because the menu system gives you more control.
#6
You have now peaked my interest in this "Milkshape" that I have been seeing around a lot more lately... You say its similar to the UI in LightWave? I'll have to take a peak at it.
What I was asking for in my original post was tutorials that might show what some modellers do as short cuts to accomplish the same effect that I currently have to take the long way to achieve.
But I am open to discussions about art in pretty much all forms.
-Shooter
/me still favors Maya
03/20/2002 (6:25 pm)
I wasn't trying to disagree with you, I apologize if thats how it came across. I very much agree with your outlook on on some of the alternative 3d apps.You have now peaked my interest in this "Milkshape" that I have been seeing around a lot more lately... You say its similar to the UI in LightWave? I'll have to take a peak at it.
What I was asking for in my original post was tutorials that might show what some modellers do as short cuts to accomplish the same effect that I currently have to take the long way to achieve.
But I am open to discussions about art in pretty much all forms.
-Shooter
/me still favors Maya
#7
I hae looked at max, and lightwave. I have to say I think milkshape looks much more like max.
But then I can afford max and lightwave, so I've only played with them briefly at uni.
03/20/2002 (6:31 pm)
Wounders how an indy modeller can afford Maya. Looks a bit shady.I hae looked at max, and lightwave. I have to say I think milkshape looks much more like max.
But then I can afford max and lightwave, so I've only played with them briefly at uni.
#8
http://www.journeyed.com/
03/20/2002 (7:02 pm)
You can get Maya Complete for $495.00 if you're a student.http://www.journeyed.com/
#9
03/20/2002 (7:55 pm)
Thats about 6 weeks worth of food/rent to me.
#10
Also, I haven't really played too much with modelling out side of LightWave. My comy-zone is in photoshop (web graphics and design).
As for "Shady", I would like to propagate another active thread out there right now about an artist that offered his concept artist a warez version of some 3d modelling software and the JT's subtle reminder (I'll paraphrase it) If any teams in this community get to a point where they think they can be talked with about publishing, had better have their "Ducks in a row" (pertains to all licsenced software etc...)" These are my words and not a direct quote.
-Shooter
p.s. Theres a team out there that now has a few open artist positions available
03/20/2002 (9:26 pm)
indy modellers can afford applications related to gaming and internet entertainment when his "Teams" site was the original Quake site and one of the largest internet gaming news sites to date. (Albeit, gone now) Thanks dot com fiasco.Also, I haven't really played too much with modelling out side of LightWave. My comy-zone is in photoshop (web graphics and design).
As for "Shady", I would like to propagate another active thread out there right now about an artist that offered his concept artist a warez version of some 3d modelling software and the JT's subtle reminder (I'll paraphrase it) If any teams in this community get to a point where they think they can be talked with about publishing, had better have their "Ducks in a row" (pertains to all licsenced software etc...)" These are my words and not a direct quote.
-Shooter
p.s. Theres a team out there that now has a few open artist positions available
#11
They are a fraction of the price of the software.
Or looking in Computerarts magaine there are loads of maya weekend courses, that cost only a few 100 pounds, theres an idea too.
Am I being agressive for no reason, I think I am, so feck you!
/me looks from side to side, then leaves quickly
03/20/2002 (9:31 pm)
heres a thought then. if you ahve all this money to burn why not just buy the maya tutorial taps from amazon????They are a fraction of the price of the software.
Or looking in Computerarts magaine there are loads of maya weekend courses, that cost only a few 100 pounds, theres an idea too.
Am I being agressive for no reason, I think I am, so feck you!
/me looks from side to side, then leaves quickly
#12
I am looking for artists that have found shortcuts outside of the typical text doc. or "classroom" style.
If you have something to contribute to this request I appreciate it.
-Shooter
p.s. Am I being to real for some of you?
03/20/2002 (9:42 pm)
Last iteration of this, beyond this anyone reading this thread can scroll up.I am looking for artists that have found shortcuts outside of the typical text doc. or "classroom" style.
If you have something to contribute to this request I appreciate it.
-Shooter
p.s. Am I being to real for some of you?
#13
If you say you bought maya, fine. I personal would have bought a new car.
Have fun with your toy.
/me imagines a new car.... zzooooooooommmmmmmmm
03/20/2002 (9:52 pm)
Come on my last post was silly. Calm mate.If you say you bought maya, fine. I personal would have bought a new car.
Have fun with your toy.
/me imagines a new car.... zzooooooooommmmmmmmm
#14
I would have bought a new car but I already have an old Ford Tempo with very low miles - A Jeep CJ-7 - and a rather new Mustang (also a Ford heh), the whole idea of buying yet another one didn't really appeal to me... :-)
Anyhow, I am still looking for any "Field" expedient methods.
-Shooter
03/20/2002 (10:38 pm)
If I were any more calm I'd be sleeping... but in light of that ungodly long warez thread that I read, and that everyone seems to be concerned with the "Not-so-highend" applications. Since the others like maya are "Only feasible to studios" yada yada...(no offense intended)I would have bought a new car but I already have an old Ford Tempo with very low miles - A Jeep CJ-7 - and a rather new Mustang (also a Ford heh), the whole idea of buying yet another one didn't really appeal to me... :-)
Anyhow, I am still looking for any "Field" expedient methods.
-Shooter
#15
http://www.highend3d.com/maya/tutorials/
They have a bunch of tutorials for Maya. They seem pretty good to me, but I'm not very well versed in Maya. I heard A:W was supposed to be writing some tutorials for their PLE version. You might check out their website to see if they've put any up.
03/21/2002 (2:33 am)
If you want some Maya tutorials you can try highend3d.com.http://www.highend3d.com/maya/tutorials/
They have a bunch of tutorials for Maya. They seem pretty good to me, but I'm not very well versed in Maya. I heard A:W was supposed to be writing some tutorials for their PLE version. You might check out their website to see if they've put any up.
Torque Owner Matt Webster