Tutorials for Maya! :|

J.T. Escher

I have downloaded the trial and I wanted to learn how to do low poly character modeling but I can't even find one tutorial that is helpful. No one explains anything and leaves out details. They click this, click that, go here, go there.

Every tutorial is like this http://maya3dtutorial.com/blog/maya-tutorials/modeling-human-naruto-chibi/

completely useless to a beginner. How do I get the reference picture in Maya.

Sorry if this is the wrong spot but I'm just so frustrated. There are tons of great artist on here. Can someone be so kind and help me out or point me in the right direction for tutorials!

SpeCter

These tutorials are meant for beginners, but you should at least know how to use the program.
One of the best beginner tutorials would be the Joan of Arc one, lots of information and very complete, but nevertheless some basic understanding of the programm you use(in this case Maya) is needed.
Maybe you should look at mayas tutorials itself before trying others if you don´t even know the functions used in most of the tutorials.

For the reference picture you have to add a plane to the scene, make a new material with your picture and add that to the plane(short version, i´m no Maya User, but shouldn´t be that much different to 3dsMax)

Ark

Like SpeCter said, you should get a good grasp of the basics first, like learning the interface, how the tools work, etc.

Gnomon has a good intro to Maya: http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/3/Introduction-to-Maya

RTFM is also something that will help you out alot.

For setting up the background image, you can just create a plane and assign your texture to it then add it to a new layer and make it a template so you don't accidentally move it.

Or you can use the 'Image Plane' feature under the View > Image Plane from the viewport menu.

PolyHertz

Is this your first 3d app ever, or do you have some prior experience and are transitioning? Its hard to point you in the right direction without understanding more about where you are coming from.

kodde

Maya's help is actually quite useful. You can get far with just F1 and start from there.

There are a few books as well which introduce Maya which are quite alright. They usually give you a broad view of what can be done with Maya. Usually they cover enough for you to experiment on your own from there on, also follow tutorials like the one you linked to.

haiddasalami

Digital Tutors have some nice intro to maya stuff. Great for figuring out the buttons and interface.

J.T. Escher

I have modeled basic furniture in 3ds max haa, but someone told me Maya was better so I thought I'd give it a shot. You guys are like pros so I'd rather get your opinion on which to use. thanks for the help everyone! anyone want to recommend other helpful well done tutorials for maya?


is this the correct tutorial http://www.3dtotal.com/ffa/tutorials/max/joanofarc/body2.php

haiddasalami

J.T. Escher wrote: »

I have modeled basic furniture in 3ds max haa, but someone told me Maya was better so I thought I'd give it a shot. You guys are like pros so I'd rather get your opinion on which to use. thanks for the helo everyone! anyone want to recommend other helpful well done tutorials for maya?

they're both equally good doesnt matter which app you learn as the basics apply to both just different layout. Also yeah that is the correct joan of arc tutorial.

PolyHertz

For modeling purposes I prefer to use Max over Maya, for 2 reasons: 1. non-destructive workflow via modifiers, and 2. WAY more modeling tools. Mayas primary advantage in modeling is its marking menus, which are nice but not as useful for those that are heavily into hotkey customization. But the Max vs Maya debate has been done to death.

What's really important is the fundamentals and techniques you learn through experience, not the software. Pick one and stick with it. Once you know how to do what you want in one package its normally not that difficult to transfer it to another.

tekmatic

If you can afford to buy DVD tutorials, then check out Digital Tutors....they got lots of Maya 101 DVDs that are tailored for complete beginners where they walk you through the interface all the way to modeling. Also Lynda.com has some interesting DVDs. They are all pretty good and like I said aimed towards the beginner people.

Good luck!

[HP]

Without wanting to create another thread.

Which tutorials do you guys recommend for someone wanting to learn Maya, coming from Max?
I'll probably give DT a shot, never let me down so far.

Ark

DT has alot of the basic stuff like interface and tools overview. TBH most of the DT is for beginners.
Gnomon ones are abit more in depth and thorough, although the one i liked to is quite old, but still applicable.

r_fletch_r

[hp]:Alex Alvarez (Gnomon) did a good introduction to maya. good for a overview, infact everything i've watched of Alex's has been well paced and fully explained. No skipping about or use of unmentioned hotkeys.

If your modeling in maya go get NEX, its a little bit of max in maya. Their Mental Ray fundamentals stuff by Matt Hartle are good if you wanna learn the rendering pipeline.

[HP]

Cheers buddy, I'll try those.