Well I hate to try and sell you something, but i can not recommend this highly enough.
https://simplymaya.com/autodesk-maya-...=193&sub_cat=2
It was done by a senior modeler at Digital Domain (Jay) and will show you not only how to do it but more importantly how to do it the right way, save yourself tons of time in the long run.
I'm sure some other people will be along with some tips as well
Sorry bout the sales pitch 
Dave
From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"