Introduction to Autodesk Maya Training Outline

1. Intro to Computer Graphics & 3D Art
Computer Graphics
The Stages of Production
The CG Production Workflow
Core Concepts
Basic Film Concepts

2. Jumping in Headfirst, with Both Feet
You Put the U in UI
Project Overview: The Solar System
The Pre-production 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

3. The Autodesk Maya 2017 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 Shelf
Continuing the Decorative Box Model
Finishing the Decorative Box Model

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

5. Modeling with NURBS Surfaces & 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

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

7. Autodesk Maya Shading & 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

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

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

10. Autodesk Maya Lighting
Basic Lighting Concepts
Maya Lights
Light Linking
Adding Shadows
Ray tracing 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

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

12. Autodesk Maya Dynamics & Effects
Overview of Dynamics and Maya Nucleus
Rigid and Soft Dynamic Bodies
Animating with Dynamics: The Pool Table
Fun Dynamics: Shoot the Catapult!
Particle Dynamics
Emitting Particles
Animating a Particle Effect: Locomotive Steam
Introduction to Paint Effects
Toon Shading
Getting Started with Cloth
Customizing Maya

Disclaimer:

All course objectives and outlines are a guide for students.  To ensure student satisfaction, these course topics and order may be modified or added to ensure the latest information is covered to support real world use of the technology.