3D Modeling for Video Games : Beginners Guide from Udemy

Learning how to create 3D models can be tough. There are many places where things can go wrong, and following multiple tutorials might leave out important details or even give you the wrong information. It's no wonder you feel confused and unsure about where to start.

Our course is designed to give you all the skills you need to create beautiful 3D models for games, movies, or visual effects. You'll be guided through each step of the learning process, starting from the basics and gradually moving on to more advanced techniques. Everything is explained in simple terms, so you can easily grasp the concepts and apply them to your own projects.

With our industry professional as your instructor, you'll have someone to answer your questions and help you achieve the highest quality results. Your artistry and knowledge will improve quickly, resulting in stunning pieces for your portfolio or project.

By the end of this course, you'll have the confidence and skills to create impressive 3D models for your portfolio. Now is the perfect time to elevate your artistic abilities and unlock your true potential. Enroll in our course today and experience the joy of effortlessly creating remarkable 3D models for your art portfolio or project.

What's inside

Learning objective

How to start using maya to create 3d models for games, movies, and vfx

Syllabus

Introduction

Core Maya Skills Overview

Maya basic UI overview

Manipulating the Camera in Maya

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Starts with the basics of Maya's UI and gradually introduces more advanced modeling techniques, making it suitable for individuals with little to no prior experience

Covers core modeling concepts like vertices, edges, faces, topology, and polygon count, which are fundamental for creating optimized 3D models for various applications

Includes workshops where learners build practical assets like tables, chairs, crates, tools, and a stylized fantasy house, providing hands-on experience with the tools and techniques taught

Focuses on using Maya, which requires learners to acquire a license or use a student version, potentially adding to the overall cost of learning 3D modeling

Explores essential tools like Extrude, Bevel, Multi-Cut, Connect, Bridge, and Target Weld, which are commonly used in the 3D modeling industry for creating and refining geometry

Teaches how to organize assets using the Outliner and prepare them for export to game engines, which is a crucial step in the game development pipeline

Reviews summary

Beginner 3d modeling for video games in maya

According to learners, this course is a fantastic starting point for anyone wanting to learn 3D modeling for games using Maya. Students particularly praise the clear, step-by-step instruction and the instructor's ability to explain complex concepts in a digestible way. The practical workshops, especially building the fantasy house, are highlighted as very helpful and engaging for applying learned tools and techniques. While strongly geared towards absolute beginners, students feel they gain a solid foundation needed to create game-ready assets. There are few negative remarks, primarily around minor technical issues or the desire for more advanced topics, but overall, the course delivers effectively on its beginner-focused curriculum.

Logical progression, well-structured modules.

"The course structure flows logically, starting simple and adding complexity gradually."

"Each lesson builds nicely on the previous one, making the learning path feel very natural."

"The bite-sized lectures are easy to digest and rewatch if needed."

"I liked how theory was immediately followed by practical application in the workshops."

Provides a strong base for further learning.

"By the end, I felt I had a solid understanding of Maya's interface and the fundamental modeling workflow."

"This course gave me the confidence to explore more advanced tutorials and projects on my own."

"It lays down the essential groundwork you absolutely need before diving deeper into 3D art."

"I now understand the core concepts like vertices, edges, and faces that are universal to modeling."

Relevant skills for game asset creation.

"The focus on clean topology and watertight models is essential for game development and is covered well."

"Learning how to prepare models for export to a game engine is a valuable takeaway for my goals."

"The stylized assets we create are perfect examples of what you'd make for many game projects."

Perfect entry point for absolute beginners.

"As someone completely new to 3D modeling and Maya, this course was exactly what I needed to get started."

"Don't be intimidated by 3D modeling; this course is truly designed for beginners and guides you gently."

"It covers all the fundamental concepts you need without overwhelming you with advanced stuff too soon."

"If you've never touched Maya before, this course provides a very comfortable introduction."

Hands-on projects reinforce learning effectively.

"The workshops, especially the fantasy house project, were incredibly useful for putting everything into practice."

"Building the crate and simple tools really helped solidify my understanding of the core modeling tools like extrude and bevel."

"The step-by-step approach in the workshops gives you confidence as you see your models come to life."

"Working through the projects felt very rewarding and confirmed that I was actually learning the skills."

Instructor breaks down complex topics simply.

"The instructor is excellent at explaining things clearly and concisely. Makes learning Maya much less intimidating."

"I really appreciate how the course starts from the absolute basics and builds up gradually. Everything is explained well."

"Complex tools are broken down into easy-to-follow steps. It's perfect for someone with no prior modeling experience like me."

"I found the explanations on topology and vertex manipulation surprisingly easy to grasp thanks to the clear instruction."

Focuses strictly on beginner techniques.

"If you already have some experience with Maya or other 3D software, this course might be too basic."

"It doesn't cover advanced topics like sculpting, retopology pipelines, or complex material setups."

"This is purely an introduction to foundational polygon modeling concepts in Maya."

Success requires consistent hands-on practice.

"While the course is clear, you really need to pause and practice alongside the videos to fully grasp the tools."

"Just watching isn't enough; you have to open Maya and do the exercises yourself to build muscle memory."

"Mastering 3D modeling takes time and repetition, and this course shows you how, but you must put in the work."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 3D Modeling for Video Games : Beginners Guide with these activities:

Review Basic 3D Modeling Concepts

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Reinforce fundamental 3D modeling concepts to ensure a solid foundation before diving into Maya-specific tools and techniques.

Browse courses on Polygon Modeling

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Watch introductory videos on 3D modeling principles.
Practice creating simple shapes using online tutorials.
Familiarize yourself with common 3D modeling terminology.

Read 'Mastering Maya 2024'

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Supplement course material with a comprehensive guide to Maya, providing deeper insights into its features and workflows.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters relevant to the current course module.
Experiment with the techniques described in the book within Maya.
Take notes on key concepts and workflows.

Practice Modeling Basic Shapes

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Reinforce the use of Maya's core modeling tools by repeatedly creating basic shapes and objects.

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Create a cube, sphere, cylinder, and cone using Maya's primitive tools.
Practice using the move, rotate, and scale tools to manipulate these shapes.
Experiment with different combinations of these shapes to create more complex objects.

Four other activities

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Create a Simple 3D Model Showcase

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Solidify understanding of modeling techniques by creating a small collection of 3D models and presenting them in a visually appealing way.

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Choose a theme for your model collection (e.g., tools, furniture, vehicles).
Create 3-5 simple 3D models based on your chosen theme.
Arrange your models in a visually appealing scene within Maya.
Take screenshots or render images of your scene to showcase your models.

Follow Advanced Modeling Tutorials

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Expand your modeling skills by following tutorials that demonstrate more advanced techniques and workflows.

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Search for tutorials on specific modeling techniques you want to learn (e.g., sculpting, retopology, hard surface modeling).
Follow the tutorial step-by-step, paying close attention to the instructor's techniques.
Adapt the techniques you learn to your own projects.

Model a Game Asset

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Apply your modeling skills to create a complete game asset, from initial concept to final export.

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Choose a game asset to model (e.g., a weapon, a prop, a vehicle).
Gather reference images and create a concept sketch.
Model the asset in Maya, paying attention to topology and polygon count.
Texture and export the asset for use in a game engine.

Read 'The Art of Maya'

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Gain inspiration and learn from the techniques of professional Maya artists by studying their work and creative processes.

View Discover the Game With Alias on Amazon

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Browse the book and identify artists whose work you admire.
Study their techniques and workflows, paying attention to their use of Maya's tools.
Experiment with incorporating their techniques into your own projects.

Career center

Learners who complete 3D Modeling for Video Games : Beginners Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

3D Modeler

A career as a 3D modeler involves creating three-dimensional models for a variety of applications, including video games, film, television, and product design. This course helps you build a foundation in 3D modeling, starting with the basics and progressing to more advanced techniques using Maya. You'll learn how to create models from primitives, manipulate them using essential tools, and understand model anatomy. The course's workshops, such as building a table and chairs, creating a crate using symmetry, and constructing a stylized fantasy house, provide practical experience that is directly applicable to the work of a 3D modeler.

See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Modeler

Prop Artist

Prop artists specialize in creating the various objects and items that populate a 3D environment, such as furniture, weapons, and tools. To become a prop artist, one should have a strong understanding of how to create 3D models. This course can help you learn to create props. The workshops, like building a table and chairs, a crate, and stylized tools such as a hammer, axe, and saw, are specifically designed to improve your prop modeling skills. Additionally, the course covers essential techniques like using symmetry, understanding different modeling spaces, and organizing assets in the outliner, which are crucial for creating high-quality and efficient props.

See salaries and explore the career path for Prop Artist

Video Game Artist

As a video game artist, you'll be responsible for creating the visual elements of a game, including characters, environments, and props. This course directly aligns with the needs of a video game artist by providing hands-on experience in 3D modeling. The course goes over how to create 3D models specifically for video games, movies, or visual effects. The numerous workshops provide opportunities to build a portfolio of 3D models, and its final project, building a stylized fantasy house, could be a great addition when seeking a career as a video game artist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Artist

Environment Artist

Environment artists are responsible for creating the 3D environments and landscapes for video games and other visual media. Someone working as an environment artist must learn to model environments. This course provides direct training in creating 3D models, especially the construction of environments. The stylized fantasy house project is particularly relevant, as it allows you to practice creating a detailed and visually appealing environment, using Maya. Moreover, understanding concepts like topology, edge loops, and snapping, as taught in the course, are essential for creating optimized and visually impressive game environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environment Artist

Character Artist

Character artists specialize in creating 3D models of characters for video games, film, and animation. This course will assist in becoming a character artist, as the course covers the fundamentals of 3D modeling using Maya, which is industry standard software. The course's step-by-step guidance will guide you through the modeling process. Furthermore, understanding model anatomy, topology, and the use of various modeling tools as discussed in the course is crucial for creating believable and visually appealing characters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Artist

Architectural Visualizer

Architectural visualizers create photorealistic renderings and animations of architectural designs. Architectural visualizers need a strong understanding of 3D modeling. This course teaches core Maya skills, including how to build objects from simple components. It also covers topology, and allows a student to construct a fantasy house. Architectural visualizers can use these skills, learned throughout the course, to enhance the quality of their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Visualizer

Visual Effects Artist

Visual effects artists create special effects and animations for films, television, and video games. Visual effects artists need to be able to work with 3D models. This course provides a foundational understanding of 3D modeling using Maya, teaching you how to create and manipulate 3D geometry. The course introduces you to industry workflows. The knowledge and skills gained can be applied to creating stunning visual effects.

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Level Designer

Level designers create the environments and layouts in video games, focusing on gameplay and player experience. As a level designer, you can utilize your knowledge of 3D modeling, gained from this course, to better understand how environments are constructed and optimized. This course may be useful as it teaches you how to create assets for these environments. The course's focus on creating environments and props will inform your design decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Technical Artist

A technical artist bridges the gap between artists and programmers, optimizing art assets for use in game engines and ensuring they meet technical requirements. If you wish to become a technical artist, then this course may be helpful, as it provides a foundation in 3D modeling using Maya. Understanding concepts like topology, polygon count, hard vs. soft edges, and face direction, as covered in the course, is crucial for optimizing models for performance. Moreover, learning how to use mesh history and freeze transforms, as well as organizing assets in the outliner, are essential for maintaining a clean and efficient workflow.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

Animator

Animators bring characters and objects to life through motion. The models that animators use are often created by 3D modelers. Consequently, a course that teaches you to create 3D models could be helpful. While this course does not directly teach animation, it provides the foundational skills needed to create and manipulate 3D models. The techniques learned in this course provide a solid base for further learning in character rigging and animation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Product Designer

Product designers create and improve products, considering both form and function. Product designers often use 3D modeling to create early prototypes and visualizations. This course, which covers the essentials of 3D modeling, gives the skills needed to create product mockups. The skills learned in this course can be applied to product design, allowing you to visualize and refine your ideas in three dimensions.

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Game Designer

Game designers conceptualize and design the gameplay, story, and rules of video games. Although game designers may not directly create 3D models, understanding the modeling process can provide valuable insight into the capabilities and limitations of art assets. This understanding can contribute to a more cohesive game development process. This course may assist aspiring game designers, as it gives them a knowledge of how to create 3D models.

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Motion Graphics Artist

Motion graphics artists create animated graphics and visual effects for various media, including commercials, films, and websites. A motion graphics artist may benefit from creating and using 3D assets. This course may assist aspiring motion graphic artists, as it introduces the production of 3D models. This knowledge can allow you to create custom 3D elements to enhance your animations.

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User Interface Designer

User interface designers create the visual elements that people interact with when using software or devices. User interface designers may make use of 3D elements. If you want to become a user interface designer, a course that teaches you to create those assets could be helpful. This course may give you a basic foundation in the creation of simple 3D assets.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional designers create learning materials and experiences. Some instructional designers focus on design and creation of learning materials related to 3D environments and modeling. As a result, this instructional designer may benefit from taking this course. The instructional designer can also utilize the course to create assignments and understand student needs.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in 3D Modeling for Video Games : Beginners Guide.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides a comprehensive guide to Autodesk Maya, covering everything from the basics of the interface to advanced modeling, animation, and rendering techniques. It serves as an excellent reference for understanding Maya's tools and workflows in greater depth than the course alone. It is particularly useful for students who want to explore more advanced features or troubleshoot specific problems they encounter during the course. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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Discover the Game with Alias

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Showcases the work of professional Maya artists, providing inspiration and insights into their creative processes. It is valuable as additional reading to broaden your understanding of what is possible with Maya. It is not as useful as a reference text, but it can help you develop your artistic vision and style. This book is commonly used by students and professionals alike.

Discover the Game With Alias

Paperback

3D Modeling for Video Games

Beginners Guide

What's inside

Learning objective

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Beginner 3d modeling for video games in maya

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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