Datasheet

Part I ✦ Getting Started with Maya 4.5

For more on Maya’s game functions, see Chapter 5, “Polygon Modeling,” in addi-

tion to bonus Chapter 39, “Using Subdivision Surfaces,” and bonus Chapter 40,

“Texturing Polygons and Subdivision Surfaces,” both of which you’ll find on the

CD-ROM.

3D painting

In Maya, 3D painting takes on many meanings. Maya offers conventional 3D paint

tools that enable you to just point and paint textures onto 3D surfaces, using a

mouse or tablet. Additionally, Maya offers a unique form of volumetric particle

painting that enables you to create shapes, and define organic surface types such

as grass, hair, plants, trees, clouds, oil paints, smudges. It even enables you to cre-

ate conventional airbrush effects in 3D space.

For more on 3D painting, see Chapter 28, “Using Paint Effects” and Chapter 14,

“Using Artisan.”

3D rendering

Simply put, 3D rendering is the creation of an image based on the way the computer

scene file describes it. Maya is used for rendering final imagery for film and video. It

is also used to render images for graphic design, and previsualization. Often times,

products, such as watches, airplanes, boats, and cars are rendered to look real

before they are manufactured or even sold.

For more on 3D rendering, see Part IV, “Rendering.”

3D character animation

This where Maya shines. You can animate geometry to look like 3D characters using

bones, bind skins and other deformers. This task becomes a lot like puppetry. You

as the animator basically hook up digital strings and controls to your digital puppet

and keyframe these over time.

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