Maya tutorial - Understanding the basics

Our first Maya tutorial was based round understanding some of the terminology that we would be coming across over the next three years. Most of them where the different parts that can make up the model or could be used to help shape them. These include:

  • NURBS - Standing for "Non-Uniform Rational Basis-Spline" it is a type of mathematical model used in computer graphics to create curves and patches.
  • Polygon - Is part of the mesh that is used to build the model.
  • Subdivision Surface - Helps to create a smooth surface so that you can model more complex shapes.
  • Vertex -The point at which two or more polygons meet.
  • Edge - The side of a polygon that is represented by a straight line on the model.
  • Face - The name of an individual polygon.
  • Control Vertex - This helps to control the curve of the NURBS as well the surface of the model.
  • Isoparm - Is a line of U or V values that are on the surface of the model.
  • Resolution - The total pixle size. This can be used to smooth out the model by adding more pixles in.
  • Smooth Preview - Controls the way the polygon mesh can be displayed in a scene.
  • Topology - Is the relationship between the different surfaces of a soild model.
  • Triangle - A another type of polygon that can be used to help non-planar faces render more clearly.
  • Quad - Can be used to retopologiz the mesh while keeping the shape of the surface that is being used as refernce.
  • N-Gon - A shape made up of more than 4 sides.
  • Edge Flow - The way the genomonty goes round the model.
  • Extrude - This can help to create additional faces on already existing surfaces by pulling on the different vertices, edges and faces.
  • Edge Loop - Is a set line of polygon edges that are connected.
  • Pivot - The point that can be used to help move objects around.
  • Normals - The side of the the polygon that will show what parts of the model will render.
  • Duplicates - Making copies of the selected objects and models.
  • Instances - When you have a copy of an object and make changes to the object you copied from, both will show the changes made.
  • Bevel - This can be used to round off corners.
  • Construction History - Is the information of the file as it is saved.

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