BestGFX

Learn the robust polygon and sub-d modeling tools available in Maya while working through a creative and practical project. Learn several modeling techniques and an adaptable workflow to modeling in Maya. Contains nearly 5 hours of project-based training.

The way you build your model, whether you make it accurate and detailed or rely on informed cheats, depends on its function in the shot. The ability to have complete freedom with the model depends entirely on its level of realism: The more accurate your model, the closer your camera can come to its surface. In this lesson, we build a visually functional electric guitar, teaching you the basics of polygonal modeling and leaving you with the tools you need to build a variety of hard-surface objects.

Easily learn the fundamentals of Polygon and Sub-D modeling in XSI. Contains over 3 hours of project-based training and time-saving techniques. Perfect for beginner and intermediate artists.

In this DVD, Kevin Hudson presents an overview of various issues and techniques related to modeling cars for a polygon/sub-d surface pipeline. Referencing two different cars models, Kevin demonstrates his methods for approaching each model's construction. He covers using orthographics and scale models, roughing in the car body, refining individual panels, creating surface details, building complex wheel rims and preparing the model for texturing. Kevin concludes by examining the application of his techniques to different car models.

This DVD takes you through the artistic and technical process of sculpting a human head from a polygonal cube. In this DVD, Kevin Hudson shows why character modelers are moving away from Nurbs modeling and toward Polygon/Subdivision surface modeling, which allows more freedom to localize detail and work with texture. Follow along as Kevin considers and sculpts the various features of the face - nose, mouth, eyelids and ears - as he transforms this simple structure into something as complex as the human head.

In this polygon modeling DVD, Sean Mills moves from relatively simple hard-surface forms to the creation of more complex and detail-oriented shapes. Sean introduces you to the principles of creating hi-res poly models by modeling the head of an intricately detailed 4-eyed creature, based on a maquette (sculpted by Neville Page). Utlilizing Subdivision surfaces, he shows how to sculpt your model with real-time feedback on the hi-res surface. Learn to create an intelligent edgeflow around your model's primary forms, one of the more complicated tasks associated with poly modeling. Finishing the process, Sean shows you how to return those changes to a low-res cage, for further modification.

In this polygonal modeling DVD, Sean Mills shows you how to create a bipedal humanoid model. Sean begins with a set of primitives for different body parts - arms, legs, torso and face - and refines them into muscle masses, primary contours and silouhettes. He then shows you how to refine those masses, establishing preliminary edge loops around musculature and areas of major deformation. Sean concludes by integrating these primary forms onto a contiguous character mesh.