Maya tutorial - Very first models

Learning about how to create models in Maya was a lot easier than I first thought.

There are two different ways in which you can create a model in Maya depending on what you feel works best for you. One thing that you have to remember when doing this is to have Maya set to Modeling up in the top left hand corner as this will change the drop down menus at the top.

First models creating using the CV curve tool

The first way involves using CV curve tool with can be found by going to the Create drop down menu and then clicking on Curve Tools. The best way in which to do this is by looking at the side view or the X - axis as you will be drawing out what looks like a cut through section of the model, the curve doesn't have to join up at the ends just make sure that it ends on the Y- axis. After drawing out the edge of the shape all that is needed to do is to make the line a soild model and the way to do this by going to Surfaces and then clicking on Revolve.

The other way in which you can model in Maya is by moving and adding the Edges, horizontal and vertical lines that go round the model. The best way in which to start this type of modeling off is to use one of the Primitives, simple shapes that are built in to Maya. For this model I was using the cylinder.

To this you need to go to the Edit Mesh drop down menu and click on Insert Edge Loop Tool before clicking on where you want it to go on the model.

The cylinder after editing and adding edges

You can edit the Vertices of the model by clicking and holding down the right mouse button and draging over to where the pop up menu says Vertex. This will let you highlight one or group of the them so that you can make more precise adjustments such as widening and shrinking.

To get an understanding of what the model would look like without looking all blocky just have to press the 3 key on the keybroad.

The second model smooth out by pressing 3