Creating Cartoon Characters in Maya 2008
Learn a production workflow for creating 3D cartoon characters, look development, and a multitude of time-saving techniques for modeling, UV layout, texturing, and shader assembly. Software required: Maya 8 and up (2008 required for project files).
What you'll learn
Learn a production workflow for creating 3D cartoon characters, look development, and a multitude of time-saving techniques for modeling, UV layout, texturing, and shader assembly. Contains over 7.5 hours of project-based training for artists learning the artistic processes of creating stylized cartoon characters as seen in animated feature films. Popular highlights include: Look Development; Adding Appeal; Exaggerated Proportions; Adding Detail Strategically; Creating Useful Topology; Modeling for Animation; Simplifying Shapes; Working from Limited Reference; Troubleshooting Edge Flow; Working with Multiple Pieces; Working with Multiple Geometry Types; Creating the Illusion of Detail; UV Layout; Creating Stylized Textures; Generating Color Maps; Generating Bump Maps; Generating Specular Maps; Alternative Methods to Generating Textures; Shader and Material Setup. Software required: Maya 8 and up (2008 required for project files).
Table of contents
- Reference Artwork / Blocking in the Body 15m
- Adding a Rough Head Shape 7m
- Constructing and Placing the Eye 9m
- Modeling the Eye Socket 9m
- Finishing the Eye Socket 13m
- Shaping the Nose 10m
- Finishing the Nose Area 12m
- Adding Topology for the Mouth 8m
- Completing the Mouth 11m
- Adding a Chin with Wrinkles 13m
- Modeling the Ear 12m
- Working on Brow / Troubleshooting and Finishing the Head 16m
- Modeling the Leg and Pelvis 15m
- Building Arm and Shirt Cuff 8m
- Modeling a Base for the Hand 12m
- Building a Finger 9m
- Adding the Fingers to the Hand 11m
- Finishing the Hand 10m
- Building a Base for the Shoe 12m
- Continuing to Build the Shoe 7m
- Adding the Outer Part of the Shoe and Laces 13m
- Adding a Shoelace Bow 13m
- Working on the Body / Attaching the Arm 12m
- Finishing the Body 15m
- Adding Buttons and an Undershirt 9m
- Modeling the Moustache 14m
- Adding the Eyebrows 10m
- Building the Hair 11m
- Adding a Watchman's Cap 1m
- Adding a Badge and Belt 13m
- Adding Keys and a Keychain 12m
- Building a Flashlight 10m
- Laying out the UVs on the Head 12m
- Creating the Head Texture 7m
- Saving out Maps for the Head 6m
- Setting up the Head Shader 5m
- Laying out the UVs on the Hair 10m
- Creating the Hair Texture 6m
- Setting up the Hair Shader 6m
- Creating the Eye Texture 9m
- Setting up the Eye Shaders 14m
- Setting up Shaders for Accessories 6m
- Finishing Shaders for Accessories 12m
- Conclusion 2m
- Bonus Lesson: Adding Sub-surface Scattering 3m
About the author
Justin thrives as a lead modeling author at Pluralsight. Growing up, Justin found a deep interest for the computer graphics industry after watching movies like Jurassic Park, Toy Story, and The Abyss. His ambition would lead him to work at Sony Imageworks in Los Angeles on movies like Monster House and Surf's Up. Justin has also had numerous articles, tutorials, and images published in 3D World and 3D Artist. As an author, Justin enjoys collaborating with fellow authors, especially on project... more