Maya for Beginners: Complete Guide to 3D Animation in Maya from Udemy

You can do your own 3D animations in Autodesk Maya.

Learn everything you need to know to get started - taught by a Hollywood professional.

As the industry standard 3D animation software, learning Autodesk Maya is a great skill to help you land a job in the film, music and gaming industry. In this course, you'll learn how to create your entire animation from scratch.

What will you learn?

Getting started with Maya and understanding the interface
Modeling your own objects and scenes
Shading your objects
Creating proper UVs
Texturing your objects
Lighting your scene and creating shadows
Rendering your project
Rigging characters to prepare for animations
Animating with keyframes
Motion graphics animation (MASH) toolkit
Simulating dynamic effects like cloth and smoke
Putting together an entire scene

Learn by doing real world projects.

Throughout this entire course, you'll be working on a Dia de Los Muertos inspired scene with a complete animated skeleton. By the end of the course, you'll truly be inspired by your own skills, and confident in using Autodesk Maya.

What do you get when you enroll?

25+ hours of easy-to-follow tutorials
Bonus animation demonstrations
Downloadable project files for every step of the course
Premium support to help you as you take the course

Why learn from us?

Lucas Ridley is a professional 3D animator who has worked on Hollywood films such as Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One. His students love him, and we're sure you're going to enjoy this class.

Lucas breaks down the most complicated steps of animating in Autodesk Maya, so that you can easily start animating on your own.

Phil Ebiner is the founder of Video School Online, and has taught over one million students around the world with our top-rated courses. We only partner with the best instructors, so you'll know that you're getting a great course with this one.

Our 30-day 100% money-back guarantee.

We want you to be happy. If there's any reason you aren't enjoying the course, and getting what you expected, we'll refund your money.

We can't wait to see you in the course.

Cheers,

Phil + Lucas

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will become comfortable using autodesk maya to model, texture, rig, animate, dynamics, light, and render
Build and design your own 3d objects
Animate your 3d objects with keyframes
Modeling, shading, texturing, lighting beautiful designs

Rendering your projects for high quality playback
Rigging a 3d character for animation
Simulating dynamic effects like water, cloth, and smoke
You will know how to put together an entire 3d animated scene!

You will become comfortable using autodesk maya to model, texture, rig, animate, dynamics, light, and render
Build and design your own 3d objects
Animate your 3d objects with keyframes
Modeling, shading, texturing, lighting beautiful designs
Rendering your projects for high quality playback
Rigging a 3d character for animation
Simulating dynamic effects like water, cloth, and smoke
You will know how to put together an entire 3d animated scene!

Syllabus

Welcome to this 3D animation in Maya course!

Welcome to this 3D animation course using Autodesk Maya!

We'll be using the 2018 version of Autodesk Maya in this course. To follow along and use the project files, you'll need to use the 2018 version (or newer - if you're watching this course in the future).

You can download a free trial version of Maya for 30-days on Autodesk's website. Google: Autodesk Maya Free Trial (Udemy won't let me create a link in this description unfortunately.)

If you're enrolled at a school then you're eligible for a free 1-year student copy of Maya!

I recommend purchasing the new offer from Autodesk for an Indie License. It's a fraction of the old cost and it's a full version of Maya.

*Note Maya LT is a limited/light version of Maya that does not have all the features of Maya. We use Maya in this course, not Maya LT.

This video is an update to the course, after answering over a thousand questions and seeing the same mistakes pop up over and over. So review this video and then check your model for these mistakes before continuing and look out for them as you progress.

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Taught by instructors who are recognized for their work in professional filmmaking and online tutorials

Examines skills highly relevant to the film, music, and gaming industries

Emphasizes real-world applications with a project-based approach

Offers comprehensive coverage of Autodesk Maya's essential tools and features from modeling and animation to lighting and rendering

Includes downloadable project files for hands-on practice at each step

Provides premium support for assistance throughout the learning process

Reviews summary

Beginner's comprehensive guide to maya animation

According to students, this course serves as a highly effective and comprehensive introduction to 3D animation using Autodesk Maya. Learners consistently highlight the instructor's clear explanations and the logical structure of the curriculum, praising its suitability for absolute beginners. The project-based approach, centered around creating a full animated scene, is frequently cited as a major strength, providing practical hands-on experience. While the course is largely well-received, a few reviewers mention minor challenges adapting to software version differences or finding certain sections move at a quick pace, though updates appear to address some of these points.

Pace is mostly good, some parts challenging.

"The pace is generally good, but a few sections felt a little rushed."

"Some of the more advanced concepts, like rigging, were quite challenging, but the explanations helped."

"Overall, the course moves at a decent pace for beginners, allowing time to practice."

"While mostly beginner-friendly, some modules required rewatching to fully grasp."

Practical learning through a main project.

"Working on the skeleton project from start to finish was incredibly helpful for applying the concepts."

"The hands-on project makes learning practical and you end up with a cool animation at the end."

"I really enjoyed following along with the main project; it tied everything together nicely."

"The course project was well thought out and helped solidify my understanding."

Course is well-suited for those new to Maya.

"As someone completely new to 3D animation, this course was easy to follow."

"Definitely recommend this for anyone starting out with Maya."

"It breaks down complicated software into understandable steps for a beginner."

"I had no prior experience with Maya and felt comfortable progressing through the lessons."

Covers a wide range of essential Maya topics.

"This course provides a solid foundation in Maya, covering modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, and more."

"It truly is a complete guide for beginners, touching on all major aspects of 3D animation."

"I learned so much about the different parts of Maya that are necessary to create a scene."

"A great starting point to understand the full pipeline from modeling to final render."

Instructor provides clear and effective lessons.

"The instructor explains complex topics really well, making it easy to follow along even for a complete beginner."

"Lucas is a fantastic teacher, breaking down intricate processes into manageable steps."

"I found his teaching style engaging and his tips from industry experience were invaluable."

"The instructor is very knowledgeable and easy to understand throughout the course."

Minor issues with outdated UI references.

"Using a newer version of Maya meant some menus and tools were in different places than shown."

"Some lessons didn't perfectly match the current Maya interface, which was a bit frustrating."

"The course included updates that addressed some of the version differences, which was appreciated."

"I had to do a bit of searching online to find tools that had moved in the latest Maya."

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 Maya for Beginners: Complete Guide to 3D Animation in Maya with these activities:

Review the course materials

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Take some time to review the course materials before you start. This will help you get a better understanding of what the course is about and what you will be learning.

Browse courses on Review

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Read the course syllabus
Watch the course videos
Review the course slides

Watch a tutorial on the basics of Maya

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Get started with the basics of Maya with a guided tutorial. This will provide a foundation for the more advanced topics covered in the course.

Browse courses on Introduction

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Find a tutorial that covers the basics of Maya
Watch the tutorial and follow along with the instructor

Create a simple 3D object in Maya

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Practice your Maya skills by creating a simple 3D object. This will help you get comfortable with the software and its tools.

Browse courses on Modeling

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Open Maya and create a new project
Use the Maya tools to create a simple 3D object
Save your project

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

Watch a tutorial on character rigging

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Learn how to rig a 3D character so that you can animate it. This is an essential skill for any animator who wants to create realistic and believable characters.

Browse courses on Character Rigging

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Find a tutorial on character rigging
Watch the tutorial and follow along with the instructor
Practice rigging a few different characters

Help other students in the course

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Not only will helping others reinforce your understanding of the material, but it will also give you the opportunity to develop your communication and teaching skills.

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Join the course discussion forum
Answer questions and provide support to other students
Create tutorials or other resources to help other students learn

Read 'The Animator's Survival Kit' by Richard Williams

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Learn from one of the masters of animation. This book provides insights and techniques that will help you improve your animation skills.

View The Animator's Survival Kit: Runs, Jumps and... on Amazon

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Get a copy of 'The Animator's Survival Kit'
Read the book and take notes
Apply the techniques you learn to your own animation projects

Enter a 3D animation competition

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Participating in a 3D animation competition is a great way to test your skills and get feedback from experts in the field.

Browse courses on Competition

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Find a 3D animation competition that you are interested in
Create an animation that meets the competition requirements
Submit your animation to the competition

Build a portfolio of your work

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Create a portfolio of work that showcases your skills in 3D animation. This will be a valuable asset when you start looking for a job in the industry.

Browse courses on Portfolio

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Create a website or online portfolio
Upload your best work to your portfolio
Promote your portfolio on social media

Create a short animated film

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Put your skills to the test by creating a short animated film. This will give you a chance to apply everything you've learned in the course and create something truly unique.

Browse courses on Animation

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Come up with a story idea
Create a storyboard
Animate your characters
Add sound effects and music
Edit your film

Career center

Learners who complete Maya for Beginners: Complete Guide to 3D Animation in Maya will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

3D Modeler

3D Modelers create 3D models for use in a variety of industries, including film, television, gaming, and architecture. This course can prepare a learner to become a 3D modeler by providing instruction on essential skills and techniques such as modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering. The course emphasizes real-world applications and includes projects that involve creating 3D models for a Dia de Los Muertos-inspired scene and animating a skeleton. Learners who complete this course will have the skills and experience necessary to begin a career in 3D modeling.

See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Modeler

3D Generalist

3D Generalists are skilled in all aspects of 3D production, including modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and animation. They are able to work independently on a wide range of projects. This course can prepare a learner to become a 3D generalist by providing instruction on all of the essential skills and techniques. By completing this course, learners will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to work as a 3D generalist in a variety of industries, such as film, television, gaming, and architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Generalist

Animator

Animators produce animations for the film, television, and gaming industries. They create computer-generated models and design the movements of 3D characters. The skills learners gain with Autodesk Maya, such as lighting, simulating dynamic effects, and working with keyframes, can all help prepare them for a career in animation. This course will help a learner build a strong foundation for modeling, texturing, animating, and rendering content for a wide variety of entertainment purposes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Multimedia Artist

Multimedia Artists create visual content for various media, including websites, mobile apps, and games. The skills learned in this course can prepare a learner to become a multimedia artist. For example, this course provides instruction on modeling, animation, shading, lighting, and rendering. All of these skills are valuable for creating engaging and immersive multimedia content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Artist

Character Animator

Character Animators bring 3D characters to life through animation. They use their knowledge of motion, physics, and timing to create realistic and believable animations. This course can prepare a learner to become a character animator by providing instruction on the basics of character animation in Autodesk Maya, including techniques for setting up keyframes, creating motion paths, and using inverse kinematics systems. By completing this course, learners will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to create high-quality animations for use in a variety of applications, such as film, television, and gaming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Animator

Rigger

Riggers create skeletons and control systems for 3D characters. They use their knowledge of anatomy and animation to create rigs that allow animators to easily pose and animate characters. This course can prepare a learner to become a rigger by providing instruction on the basics of rigging in Autodesk Maya, including techniques for creating bones, joints, and constraints, and setting up inverse kinematics systems. By completing this course, learners will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to create high-quality rigs for use in a variety of applications, such as film, television, and gaming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rigger

Texture Artist

Texture Artists create textures for 3D models in order to make them more realistic and visually appealing. This course can prepare a learner to become a texture artist by providing instruction on the basics of texture creation in Autodesk Maya, including techniques for creating photographic, procedural, and painted textures. By completing this course, learners will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to create high-quality textures for use in a variety of applications, such as film, television, and gaming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Texture Artist

Lighting Artist

Lighting Artists design and control the lighting in 3D environments. They use their knowledge of light and shadow to create realistic and visually appealing scenes. This course can prepare a learner to become a lighting artist by providing instruction on the basics of lighting in Autodesk Maya, including techniques for creating different types of light sources, controlling their intensity and color, and managing shadows. By completing this course, learners will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to create high-quality lighting for use in a variety of applications, such as film, television, and gaming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lighting Artist

Rendering Specialist

Rendering Specialists prepare and manage the process of rendering 3D models into images or videos. They ensure that the final output is of high quality and meets the project's requirements. This course can prepare a learner to become a rendering specialist by providing instruction on the basics of rendering in Autodesk Maya, including techniques for setting up render settings, managing render layers, and optimizing render performance. By completing this course, learners will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to produce high-quality renders for use in a variety of applications, such as film, television, and gaming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rendering Specialist

Motion Graphics Designer

Motion Graphics Designers create animated graphics for a variety of purposes, such as film, television, and advertising. This course includes instruction on the basics of motion graphics design in Autodesk Maya, including techniques for creating keyframes, creating motion paths, and using dynamics. By completing this course, learners will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to create high-quality motion graphics for use in a variety of applications, such as film, television, and gaming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Designer

Digital Artist

Digital Artists use computer software to create 2D and 3D art. They work in a variety of industries, including film, television, gaming, and advertising. This course can prepare a learner to become a digital artist by providing instruction on essential software and techniques. For example, the course covers modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering in Autodesk Maya, all of which are commonly used in digital art production.

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Technical Animator

Technical Animators use their knowledge of computer science and animation to create complex simulations and effects. They work on a variety of projects, including films, television shows, and video games. This course may be useful for learners who are interested in becoming a technical animator. It provides instruction on the technical skills required for this role, such as modeling, rigging, animation, and dynamics. The course also includes projects that involve creating simulations and effects, which can help learners develop their skills in this area.

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Technical Artist

Technical Artists are responsible for creating and maintaining the technical infrastructure for 3D production pipelines. They work with software engineers and artists to ensure that all of the necessary tools and resources are in place. This course may be useful for learners who are interested in becoming a technical artist. It provides instruction on the technical skills required for this role, such as modeling, rigging, animation, and dynamics. The course also includes projects that involve creating and maintaining a 3D production pipeline, which can help learners develop their skills in this area.

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Game Designer

Game Designers create the concepts and rules for video games. They work with a team of artists, programmers, and other designers to bring their ideas to life. This course may be useful for learners who are interested in becoming a game designer. It provides instruction on the basics of game design, including topics such as level design, character design, and game mechanics. The course also includes projects that involve creating a game design document and prototyping a game, which can help learners develop their skills in this area.

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Unity Developer

Unity Developers use the Unity game engine to create video games, simulations, and other interactive applications. This course provides instruction on the basics of Unity development, including topics such as scripting, level design, and physics. The course also includes projects that involve creating a Unity game, which can help learners develop their skills in this area.

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