Creating an Assault Rifle in Maya
In this Maya tutorial, we will begin with a concept image and start to explore methods used to quickly and efficiently create a 3D model of a weapon. Software required: V-Ray, Maya, Photoshop.
What you'll learn
In this Maya tutorial, we will begin with a concept image and start to explore methods used to quickly and efficiently create a 3D model of a weapon. Along the way, we will encounter topology issues and learn new ways of troubleshooting them. We will focus less on traditional modeling tools used today and more on creative ways to apply new tools. Upon completing our model, we will look at the basics of setting up V-Ray materials for Maya, where we explore various options and the effects they have. Then, we'll look at couple of a rendering tips to improve the quality of our final image and touch on a few basic steps for compositing it. Software required: V-Ray, Maya, Photoshop.
Table of contents
- Setting up Our Image Planes 6m
- Building Base Topology 16m
- Creating and Adjusting Topology 9m
- Finalizing the Topology for the Top Handle Component 5m
- Creating the Middle of the Gun Panel 9m
- Refining Topology for the Middle Piece 10m
- Finalizing the Topology Flow for the Middle Piece 13m
- Completing the Topology for the Middle Section 9m
- Beginning to Work on Modeling the Bottom Handle 10m
- Continuing to Work on the Bottom Handle 10m
- Finishing Basic Edge Loops for the Bottom Handle 10m
- Preparing Topology of the Bottom Handle for Separation 10m
- Inserting Holes into the Handle 12m
- Creating Geometry for the Rear Handle 11m
- Troubleshooting Problems with Topology 11m
- Laying out the Topology for the Main Holes of the Rear Handle 10m
- Finalizing the Rear Handle 9m
- Creating the Extension Arm of a Rifle 10m
- Finalizing the Extension Arm and a Few Minor Components 3m
- Roughing in the Shape for the Front of the Rifle 9m
- Refining the Front of the Rifle 9m
- Finishing up the Front of the Rifle 10m
- Creating First Half of the Aim 11m
- Creating the Second Half of the Aim 10m
- Completing the Aim of the Gun 8m
- Creating the Barrel 9m
- Completing the Gun Barrel 9m
- Building Internal Gun Mechanics 9m
- Completing the Internal Mechanics 10m
- Starting on Top Components of the Gun 11m
- Completing the Top Aim Components 6m
- Creating the Depth for the Top Section of the Gun 9m
- Finishing Off the Top Portion of the Gun 8m
- Creating Depth for the Middle Piece of the Gun 10m
- Finishing Off the Depth Portion for the Middle Piece 11m
- Working on the Back Handle 10m
- Finishing Off the Back Handle and an Extension Arm 9m
- Starting on the Bottom Handle 10m
- Working on the Rear Half of the Bottom Handle 10m
- Defining the Rear Half of the Bottom Handle 9m
- Working on the Last Stages of Rear Half of the Bottom Handle 11m
- Establishing Proper Shapes and Edge Loops for Final Details 10m
- Finishing Off the Rear Half of the Bottom Handle 8m
- Creating Depth for the Middle Panel 5m
- Creating Depth for the Front of the Gun and Finalizing a Few Components 10m
- Aligning the Pieces Together 11m
- Creating the Opposite Side and Adjusting the Scale 11m
- Aligning Components and Mirroring Leftover Parts 9m
- Completing the Aim Section and Moving Down to the Middle Components 10m
- Fitting the Middle of the Barrel with the Gun Body 9m
- Building a Blank Back Panel and Aligning Mechanical Components of the Gun 10m
- Creating Space for Mechanical Components 11m
- Adjusting Geometry of the Shell Dispenser for Hinges 11m
- Finalizing Middle Mechanics of the Gun 11m
- Mirroring the Top Aim and Creasing Its Edges 11m
- Creasing Top and Middle Pieces 10m
- Finalizing the Middle Piece 15m
- Creasing the Rear Handle and the Extension Arm 9m
- Creasing the Front Part of the Bottom Handle 10m
- Continue to Define the Creases for the Rear Part of the Handle 11m
- Finishing up with Bottom Handle 10m
- Creasing the Front of the Gun 9m
- Completing the Creases for the Last Component 13m
- Adjusting Gaps Between Geometry and Mirroring the Middle Section 11m
- Adding a Fake Middle Panel 11m
- Creating a Phillips Head Bolt 10m
- Finalizing Bolts and Starting on the Clip Topology 10m
- Modeling Bullet Clip 11m
- Finishing the Clip 14m
- Modeling the Top Grooves 10m
- Building the Trigger and the Eye Scope 12m
- Finalizing Some Imperfections 11m
- Merging Mirrored Parts 11m
- Completing the Modeling Stage of the Gun 6m
- Setting up a Studio Environment 11m
- Adjusting the Lights and Creating Basic Materials 9m
- Creating a Gun Body Material 10m
- Creating Materials for the Rest of the Gun and Adjusting the Light Setting 10m
- Balancing out the Light Configuration and Materials 11m
- Finalizing Our Render Settings 10m
- Final Compositing 7m
About the author
Stas Poritskiy is a talented CG artist, who works as a Technical Director at Hemogoblin studio on “L5” project. His capabilities include designing pipe-line delivery systems used for game and film art production, commercial level renderings, and visual effects. In a production environment, Stas uses Maya, 3D Studio Max, Realflow, MEL and C++ to properly utilize all available resources and accurately coordinate the team to meet the project's demands. Outside of studio life, Stas is teaching at th... more