Maya techniques - Alias Learning Tools

Stepbystep instructions combined with indepth discussions of topics ranging from the importance of good topology to the subtlety of facial expressions, make
HyperRealistic Creature Creation
an excellent allaround resource for the modeling, texturing and rigging of characters.
William Dwelly, Senior Software TD

Maya Techniques / HyperRealistic Creature Creation
is you solution for creating convincing characters in Maya. Get handson experience with innovative tools and powerful industryrecognized techniques as you learn to model like a pro, setup your skeleton in a fast and easy way and create realistic facial controls. This book will help you achieve hyperreal characters quickly and effectively.

Get the inside scoop on highend production techniques from industry pros Erick Miller, Paul Thuriot, and Jeff Unay! Through Projectbased lessons, follow Jeff Unays process for modeling the beast, Paul Thuriots workflow for rigging the beasts body and Erick Millers tips and techniques on complex facial rigging for maximum flexibility. The book car5efully delineates the entire production process for the beasts creation, so that you can both understand the individual techniques and how they relate to each other in a pipeline. Youll also take advantage of helpful video demonstrations so you can watch the experts at work.

By examining the entire process, you will learn strategies for creating characters with an emphasis on anatomy and realism. Lessons are designed to cover effective workflows for devising models that can be easily manipulated and animated. The methods discussed in this book can be applied to any setup needs that you may have because youll learn the rigging process fromthe concept stage through to pipeline integration.

With this book you will:

• Be introduced to modeling theories
• Learn how to use powerful tools like the Soft Modification Tool and the Split Edge Ring Tool.
• Learn how to create custom hotkeys and marking menus
• Import image planes and block out a character
• Create an Adobe Photoshop network
• Use automation scripts
• Understand how to use a multiple rig workflow
• Lock, paint, mirror skin weights, and connect a bound rig to a control rig
• Create corrective blend shapes, and setup cluster controls
• Learn how to create jaw, eye, and lip setups
• Discover concepts of a realistic skin shader

What you need to use this book

• Maya Complete 7 or Maya Personal Learning Edition
• DVDROM drive

Bonus Features

• Video demonstrations of workflows & animation skills
• Artist Interviews
• MEL^TM Scripts
• Scene Files
• Support Files