Lynda.com: Maya 2011: Creating Natural Environments
English | .mov (QuickTime) | 960x540 (16:9) | 04:18:59 | 753.8 Mb
In Maya 2011: Creating Natural Environments, author Aaron F. Ross demystifies a common challenge of 3D modeling: fashioning realistic natural environments such as landscapes, atmospheres, and foliage. Starting with flat terrain, Aaron shows how to sculpt various types of geometry and smooth out jagged, polygonal edges. The course also covers creating convincing backgrounds and clouds, populating a scene with foliage using 3D Paint Effects, and incorporating natural light. Exercise files accompany the course.
0. Introduction
Welcome
Setting up the project
Setting up the Mac
1. Terrain Modeling
Choosing a model type
Laying out the scene
Creating a camera
Adding detail
Splitting polygons
Deleting edges and vertices
Using soft selection
Sculpting geometry
Extruding polygons
Projecting UV coordinates
Using Mesh Smooth with the Maya software renderer
2. Shading
Understanding Artisan and Paint Effects
Painting on objects
Customizing 2D Paint Effects brushes
Saving Paint Effects brushes
Managing 3D paint textures
Creating layered maps
Applying 2D procedural textures
Applying 3D procedural textures
Baking textures
3. Backgrounds
Understanding backgrounds and matte paintings
Creating a skydome
Shading the skydome
Creating matte paintings
Constraining backgrounds to the camera
4. Fluid Clouds
Creating 3D fluid containers
Choosing fluid options
Adding atmosphere
Adjusting fluid shading attributes
Controlling fluid texture
Animating fluid texture
5. 3D Paint Effects
Understanding 3D paint effects
Working with strokes
Painting objects
Customizing brushes
Customizing tubes
Animating turbulence
Controlling polygon output
6. Lighting and Rendering
Creating non-physical daylight
Casting shadows
Rendering with Maya software and mental ray
7. Conclusion
Next steps
