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MAYA I - Introduction to 3-D Modeling  

ART- 40298 (UCSD Extension Winter 2009)

Register for this class

Students should have the Textbook from day one of class

Optional equipment: Flash drive 256 mb or more.

In this hands on course you will learn the basics of using the Maya (Version 2008) animation package. You will learn how to create scenes, models, and basic animations. You will also learn how to do lighting and basic rendering. The course consists of lectures providing broad overview of computer graphics and hands on work on lessons.

Course Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center(SDSC) Room # 279 View map (Classroom located on the left end of the highlighted yellow block )
Course Timing: Tuesday 6:00 - 9:00 pm , Jan 20th 2009 to Mar 24th 2009 (10 meetings)
Software: Maya 2008 will be available for classroom usage.

Textbook
	Learning Autodesk Maya 2008: Foundation ISBN: 978-1-897177-42-6 ISBN-10: 1-897177-42-9 Book is required and would be followed in class

Instructor

Amit Chourasia
Visualization Scientist
San Diego Supercomputer Center
Home Page
Phone: 858-822-3656

Lectures (To be revised)

• Session 1: Intro to 3D : Class Introduction (lecture intro to anim)
  • Presentation of class structure and projects.
  • Goals for the class.
  • Getting started with Maya User Interface
  • Creating your first scene in Maya.
• Session 2: Maya Structure/Steps in Animation Production (Lesson 2 - 6 from Text book, Lecture - History of Graphics)
• Overview of CG Animation Process
• Overview of Different tasks in CG Animation.
• Maya Terminology
• Introduction to the Maya Interface
• Overview of Maya's Internal Architecture
• Session 3: Introduction to Modeling (Polygon Modelling Lesson 7-8 from Text book, Lecture on 3D Modeling)
• What is CG Modeling?
• What are the challenges: - Time!
• What are the options?
• Low Polygon Models
• High Polygon MOdels
• Few Manipulators
• Many Manipulators
• How to create Models?
• Models by Hand
• Modeling Tools - Maya
• 3D Scanners
• Model Types
• Polygonal Models
• NURB Models
• Subdivision Surfaces
• Parametric and Implicit Surfaces
• Modeling Operations
• Modeling Jobs
• Animation Controls.
• Rendering
• Session 4: Introduction to Lighting (Nurbs Modelling Lesson 15 - 16 from Text book , Lecture Lighting)
• Types of Lights:
• Ambient Light
• Direction Light
• Spot Light
• Point Light
• Components of Lights and Shadows
• Light Controls
• Good ways to use lights.
• Direction
• Mood
• Localized Light
• Seasons and Time of Day
• "The Ray of Hope"
• Three Point Lighting
• Session 4: Introduction to Lighting (Nurbs Modelling Lesson 15 - 16 from Text book , Lecture Lighting)
• Types of Lights:
• Ambient Light
• Direction Light
• Spot Light
• Point Light
• Components of Lights and Shadows
• Light Controls
• Good ways to use lights.
• Direction
• Mood
• Localized Light
• Seasons and Time of Day
• "The Ray of Hope"
• Three Point Lighting
• Session 4: Introduction to Lighting (Nurbs Modelling Lesson 15 - 16 from Text book , Lecture Lighting)
• Types of Lights:
• Ambient Light
• Direction Light
• Spot Light
• Point Light
• Components of Lights and Shadows
• Light Controls
• Good ways to use lights.
• Direction
• Mood
• Localized Light
• Seasons and Time of Day
• "The Ray of Hope"
• Three Point Lighting
• Session 4: Modelling Continued (Nurbs Modelling Lesson 15 - 16 from Text book)
• Session 5: Paint Effects and Deformers ( Lesson 18 - 19 from Text book)
• Session 6: Introduction to Lighting (Lighting Lesson 20 from Text book , Lecture Lighting)
• Types of Lights:
• Ambient Light
• Direction Light
• Spot Light
• Point Light
• Components of Lights and Shadows
• Light Controls
• Good ways to use lights.
• Direction
• Mood
• Localized Light
• Seasons and Time of Day
• "The Ray of Hope"
• Three Point Lighting
• Session 7: Introduction to Rendering ( Rendering Lesson 21 from Text book, Lecture Rendering)
• Basics of Rendering
• Scene Definitions
• Pipeline Rendering
• Rendering Transformations
• Pipeline Rasterization
• Rasterizing Polygons
• Convex Shapes
• Triangulation
• Scan Line Rendering
• Z-Buffers
• Ray Tracing
• Session 8: Sub D Modelling (Lesson 22-23 from Text book)
• Session 9: TBD
• Session 10: TBD

Useful Links

The following web sites have lots of useful interesting information for Maya animators:

• http://www.highend3d.com
• http://cgchannel.com/
• http://www.3drender.com

Presentations

• History-of-graphics.ppt
• lighting
• shading
• intro
• rendering
• animating
• modeling
• color

Buying software for personal use: (Purchase not required for attending the class) Maya comes in two flavors Maya Unlimited(more advanced features) and Maya Complete, for classroom purpose Maya Complete would be sufficient. Educational version of Maya(8.5) can be bought from UCSD Bookstore or Journeyed.com