AUTODESK MAYA BASICS

We continue our look at the core digital content creation applications; this issue, we explore Maya

Mike Griggs

If you are new to CGI, there are far too many tools to choose from in a dizzying array of software. This series aims to break everything in CGI down to the very basics so that every artist can be armed with the knowledge of which tool is best. This month we look at Autodesk Maya.

When movie studios create behind-the-scenes videos to demonstrate how artists brought their creations to life, and you can see 3D software on an artist’s workstation, there is a high likelihood that it will indeed be Autodesk Maya.

A favourite with studios throughout the world, Maya is a veteran of the CG industry, and there are a few key reasons why Maya dominates the VFX space.

First of all, Maya has probably the fastest and most well-detailed preview windows of any digital content creation software. The Viewport 2.0 speed, when coupled with class-leading character animation tools, also makes Maya the first port of call for any artist wanting to explore character work.

Maya has an extensible modelling language (MEL) too, which studios across the world have used to make Maya a ‘bespoke’ 3D software for an individual studio’s needs. MEL has meant that plugins developed by studios have become core first-party tools, such as ‘MASH’, the advanced motion graphics and cloning toolset, which is deeply integrated throughout Maya.