Table of Contents

Cover

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction

Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer Graphics and 3D

Art?

Computer Graphics

The Stages of Production

The CG Production Workflow

Core Concepts

Basic Film Concepts

Summary

Chapter 2: Jumping in Headfirst, with Both Feet

You Put the U in UI

Project Overview: The Solar System

The Preproduction Process: Planning

Creating a Project

The Production Process: Creating and Animating the Objects

Hierarchy and Maya Object Structure

The Solar System, Resumed

Outputting Your Work: Playblasting

Summary

Chapter 3: The Autodesk Maya 2014 Interface

Navigating in Maya

Exploring the Maya Layout

Building a Decorative Box

Mapping the Box’s Reference Planes with Hypershade

Organizing Workflow with the Layer Editor

Modeling the Decorative Box

Editing the Decorative Box Model Using the Shelf

Continuing the Decorative Box Model

Finishing the Decorative Box Model

Summary

Chapter 4: Beginning Polygonal Modeling

Planning Your Model

Polygon Basics

Poly Editing Tools

Putting the Tools to Use: Making a Simple Hand

Creating Areas of Detail on a Poly Mesh

Modeling a Catapult

Suggestions for Modeling Polygons

Summary

Chapter 5: Modeling with NURBS Surfaces and Deformers

NURBS! NURBS!

Using NURBS Surfacing to Create Polygons

Converting a NURBS Model to Polygons

Editing NURBS Surfaces

Patch Modeling: A Locomotive Detail

Using Artisan to Sculpt NURBS

Modeling with Simple Deformers

The Lattice Deformer

Animating Through a Lattice

Summary

Chapter 6: Practical Experience

Evaluating the Table Lamp

Modeling the Base

Creating the Lamp Stem

Modeling the Lampshade

Making the Toy Airplane

Using Maya File References

Finishing the Toy Airplane

Updating the File Reference

Summary

Chapter 7: Autodesk Maya Shading and Texturing

Maya Shading

Shader Types

Shader Attributes

Shading and Texturing the Table Lamp

Textures and Surfaces

Textures and UVs for the Red Wagon

Photo-Real Mapping: The Decorative Box

For Further Study

Summary

Chapter 8: Introduction to Animation

Keyframe Animation: Bouncing a Ball

Throwing an Axe

Replacing an Object

Animating Flying Text

Rigging the Locomotive, Part 1

Animating the Catapult

Summary

Chapter 9: More Animation!

Skeletons and Kinematics

Skeletons: The Hand

Inverse Kinematics

Basic Relationships: Constraints

Basic Relationships: Set-Driven Keys

Application: Rigging the Locomotive

Creating a Simple Character Rig

For Further Study

Summary

Chapter 10: Autodesk Maya Lighting

Basic Lighting Concepts

Maya Lights

Light Linking

Adding Shadows

Raytracing Soft Shadows

mental ray Lighting

mental ray Physical Sun and Sky

Lighting Effects

Lighting the Table Lamp and Decorative Box

Further Lighting Practice

Tips for Using and Animating Lights

Summary

Chapter 11: Autodesk Maya Rendering

Rendering Setup

Previewing Your Render: The Render View Window

Reflections and Refractions

Using Cameras

Motion Blur

Batch Rendering

Rendering the Wine Bottle

mental ray for Maya

Render Layers

Final Gather

Ambient Occlusion

HDRI

Displacement Mapping the Decorative Box

Rendering the Lamp and Decorative Box

Summary

Chapter 12: Autodesk Maya Dynamics and Effects

An Overview of Dynamics and Maya Nucleus

Rigid and Soft Dynamic Bodies

Animating with Dynamics: The Pool Table

Fun Dynamics: Shoot the Catapult!

nParticle Dynamics

Emitting nParticles

Animating a Particle Effect: Locomotive Steam

Introduction to Paint Effects

Toon Shading

Getting Started with nCloth

Customizing Maya

Summary

Where Do You Go from Here?

Gallery: Beginners’ Gallery