A few begginer poly modeling questions

[callon]

Hi, Phantom. First, welcome to Maya! I'm a relatively new user too. Actually, I'm just now developing my first animation, and I know how overwhelming it can appear to start getting a handle on the software. What I recommend is that, in addition to looking for good tuts (and there are some great free tuts out there), you invest in some good books on the subject. The Maya Savvy and the Maya Fundamentals series are pretty good starters for intros to the general ins and outs of the softaware. For rendering and lighting, I HIGHLY recommend Jeremy Birn's "Digital Lighting and Rendering," it's an eye opener and a lifesaver that's written in terms that even we beginners can digest. Also, Jeremy is a member of this site and he does pop in now again, so you might even be able to throw him a question or two.

I've modelled my first character using a tutorial from Maya 4 Fundamentals (but you might want to ge the most recent in the series) , which included on the CD a Maya file with a polygon cage that mirrored the changes to one side of the cage on the other. So, if you're creating a face or a body, something like this can come in quite handy. As others will likely tell you, there are a number of ways to go about modelling a head. I'm just speaking to the method I used.

I'd just like to say that I'm not attempting to advertise for the products I mentioned here; I'm just trying to offer some resources that I found VERY helpful to my adventures into Maya.

The bottom line: Read as much as you can via tuts, books, web, etc. and continue to ask questions. You'll find out what you want to know. :)

Also, check out Highend3d.com for good (free) modelling tuts.

:thumbsup:

Mike

[Phantom__2]

Thanks callon

I have read halfo of maya 4 fundimental and have seen a ton of free tuts. I also have the starter set from gnomon and they are rad. It just seems the is a little gap from getting used to the tools and then the tuts skipping how to get to the tools you need to use to get to the next step. And most tuts are do this do this and you finish and have no idea how to make changes or why you did what you did. I am getting better with polt's now. I have been working on them and can now see the light and how to make stuff. It is just a matter of practice and study. Thanks for the info.

[the rookie]

Ah!!! Maya users!!!! Great, actually I am a MAYA user as well, here are some modeling tips
There's actually three ways of modeling polys for videogames:
here's one
1) The easiest and convient is the nurbs to poly, (depending what you're going for, High rez, blinking eyes and hand movement etc,you can still model high rez without this method
2)Poly by Poly method, using poly squares and extruding (Take a look at learning-maya.com for tut's
3)Modeling by forms using low rez cylinders for shape purposes (also see Polycount.com for tut's
Common tools you'll need and will use (that I learned on my own!!!!)is:
1) Extrude tool (G for last action tool to keep you from clicking over and over again)
2) Edges: extruding edges and combinding, similar to attatch and detatch method for normally used for nurbs
3) also the new improved method that no one told you about the
CUT TOOL: this provides a line or edge on all four corners of you poly object, use the help option in Maya 4.5 or 5 for tut on using this tool, this tool is liking adding Isoprams to Nurbs a very useful tool if you study them correctly, Note also everybody is damn near using 3D Studio Max and if you like me you may not have time to go back and learn MAX, I also thought myself the use of these tools, no book is out there for these tools, most books take a too technical approach when I can blow pass using these tools as if I was carving, I shared what was self taught good luck and look at these sites as well...
www.learning-maya.com (http://www.learning-maya.com)
www.polycount.com (http://www.polycount.com)
Oh I almost forgot the poly split tool or split poly tool, this helps create the geometry you need for specific areas ( the Most important) all tutorials will ask you to use this, adding and deleting vertices, if your use to model nurbs this should be a sinch, grab anatomy books as well

[the rookie]

Also mirroring objects should be automatic too, (the Tutorial in Maya 4.5 fundamentals sucked, there where alot of flaws in it and it took to long) go to learning-maya.com they have everything you need it's based on Maya of course,they do have 3D Max tutorials that help but you have to convert the tools, when you get further advanced then you'll learn about mesh tools script,I haven't seen one for Maya yet, but if you know Mel you can create one and it for a softer, I should say mesh or flexiable mesh, you'll see when you get too it
(I'll always be a rookie until I reach the Pros

[Fess]

Forget the tutorials or doodles for now....

Allocate some money and purchase a good book on Maya's basics

Gotta learn to walk before you fly :thumbsup:

Good Luck
Fess

[Rabid pitbull]

I am also a new maya user, and i must add that digital tutors is an awesome web site for understanding the basics of maya(and some more advance things ...), they offer free videos that are very well done. Also of note is that these tutorials are clipped out of there full training cd's. The free lessons are complete, and very informative.

http://www.digital-tutors.com/digital_tutors/index.htm

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