• To introduce learners to the Autodesk Maya interface and 3D production pipeline
• To develop advanced skills in high-poly and low-poly 3D modeling
• To equip learners with techniques for rigging, skinning, and character animation
• To provide an understanding of lighting, shading, and Arnold rendering
• To prepare learners for roles in the film, gaming, and visual effects industries

Upon completion, learners will be able to:

1. Create detailed 3D assets using polygon and NURBS modeling.
2. Design complex character rigs with IK/FK systems and constraints.
3. Apply realistic textures and shaders using Hypershade.
4. Produce fluid animations using the Graph Editor and Time Editor.
5. Render high-quality scenes with advanced lighting and global illumination.

Module 1: Introduction and Modeling Foundations

• Interface navigation and project management
• Polygon modeling tools: Extrude, Bevel, Bridge, and Multi-cut
• Sculpting tools and organic modeling
• Retopology and mesh optimization for games

Module 2: UV Mapping and Texturing

• UV Editor basics and unfolding techniques
• Creating seamless textures and PBR workflows
• Using Hypershade for material creation
• Integration with Substance Painter/Adobe tools

Module 3: Rigging and Deformers

• Joints, bones, and hierarchy
• Inverse Kinematics (IK) and Forward Kinematics (FK) setups
• Skinning and weight painting
• Blend shapes for facial expressions

Module 4: Animation Principles and Execution

• Keyframe animation and the Graph Editor
• Constraints: Parent, Point, and Orient
• Character walk cycles and physics-based movement
• Camera animation and cinematography basics

Module 5: Dynamics, Lighting, and Rendering

• Particles and nCloth simulations
• MASH for motion graphics
• Arnold lighting: Area lights, Skydome, and Photometric lights
• Render settings, AOVs, and batch rendering

Project