TGAGTM: Calamity Jane

Maya 2020 fundamentals - modelling the real world

Get halfway through a model and find it's an unworkable mess? Can't add edge loops where you need them? Can't subdivide a mesh properly? If any of this sounds familiar check this course out.

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# 1 04-12-2005 , 04:02 PM

The Maya Mountain
Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: Seattle, WA

Posts: 8,245

Work is underway for my new book: The Game Animator's Guide to Maya. Right now, I'm working on the featured model of the project, a cowgirl character. I figured I'd let you guys follow along with the progress of it. user added image

Here's the concept art drawn by my good buddy Steve Garcia, the same guy who did the concept for my first book.

user added image

And here's what's been done so far:

user added image

So, still very early.

There is no real polycount I'm going for, but I'm hoping to keep in in the 15,000 poly range.

-Mike
The Maya Toolbelt

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# 2 04-12-2005 , 04:46 PM

Subscriber
Join Date: Oct 2005

Location: Leeds

Posts: 1,154

wow great drawing.!
So tell me mike is it easier to get into the games industry rather than other fields of 3d stuff. (stuff been the only word i can think of as other jobs...lol)

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# 3 04-12-2005 , 04:54 PM

The Maya Mountain
Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: Seattle, WA

Posts: 8,245

I don't know, as I've not attempted to enter other fields. I would think it would be easier than, say, film effects work, though, predominanty because the vast majority of film effects studios (at least, in the USA) are located in California, which makes sense, seeing as Hollywood is there. Game studios, though, are spread out across the country a little more (although there are 'hubs' in California, Washington, and Texas where there are a good number close to proximity to each other).

-Mike
The Maya Toolbelt

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# 4 04-12-2005 , 05:32 PM

Subscriber
Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: Illinois, USA

Posts: 250

Agreed, the concept looks really nice user added image

But wow this is great, Mike. Looks like it's going to be another awesome book. I'll definitely be looking forward to its release!

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# 5 04-12-2005 , 05:47 PM

Subscriber
Join Date: Oct 2005

Location: Leeds

Posts: 1,154

yeah i think ill be asking "santa" hahah for a lot of things from here, this site really can bring the best out of you.
keep up the good work.

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# 6 04-12-2005 , 06:03 PM

Technical Director
Join Date: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,988

Wow. Looks awsome mate. Ill have to pick this one up as well!

I really enjoyed the last one!

Cheers mate! user added image

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

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# 7 04-12-2005 , 06:14 PM

Subscriber
Join Date: Jun 2003

Location: stuck in the 90's boston, USA

Posts: 1,871

be sure to show wires too. user added image

Image dump

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# 8 04-12-2005 , 06:46 PM

The Maya Mountain
Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: Seattle, WA

Posts: 8,245

Thanks, guys. user added image

Here ya go:

user added image

-Mike
The Maya Toolbelt

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# 9 04-12-2005 , 06:55 PM

Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005

Location: india

Posts: 203

hey mike, great progress. your model looks quite promising so far..
nice to finally see a WIP by you..

user added image

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# 10 04-12-2005 , 09:00 PM

The Maya Mountain
Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: Seattle, WA

Posts: 8,245

Thanks, utpal. I dont' post many WIPs because I can't post stuff I do at work until I get permission, and by then, it's usually Finished Work (posted one up earlier today).

Working on that coat:
user added image

-Mike
The Maya Toolbelt

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# 11 04-12-2005 , 09:27 PM

Registered User
Join Date: May 2005

Location: canada

Posts: 914

really nice!no word...looking foward to see your final model.
by the way, can you show the wire of his back because i try to learn how to place edges in the back of my character.
keep it up.
user added image

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# 12 04-12-2005 , 10:04 PM

Lead Modeler - Framestore
Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: UK

Posts: 6,287

Hey Mike

About time you posted again. This design looks very cool, The drawing itself was enough to make me wanna drop everything and build her , but in Hi res.

I think youve made a cool start with the character so far, I love this type of thing anyway so I'll be hanging on this thread.

best regards
Jay

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# 13 04-12-2005 , 10:52 PM

The Maya Mountain
Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: Seattle, WA

Posts: 8,245

Thanks again, fellas. user added image

First pass at some hair. Not sure if this is the configuration I'll go with just yet.

user added image

And wire:

-Mike
The Maya Toolbelt

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# 14 04-12-2005 , 11:24 PM

Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004

Location: Northern California

Posts: 445

YEE-HAW!!! Neat neat neat! The collar is my favorite part so far. I can't wait to see this textured. You are gonna texture her aren't ya?

Guess I'd better make room on my bookshelf!

Dave

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