This section covers Character, Modeling, Texturing, Level Building, and Game Engine overviews for those interested in game development using Maya, as well step-by-step lessons to get you started right away.

Game Art - Character

Characters can be set-up with skeletons and IK controls for easy manipulation. The Character Overview section discusses some keyframing techniques used to create exaggerated character movements. Also covered in this section is Maya's Smooth Skin tool, used to attach geometry to a character skeleton. To learn more about character set-up using Maya, complete the following how-to lessons:

How to Use the Two Bone IK Solver In this lesson you will learn how to set-up and use the two bone IK solver. This solver is ideal in setting up characters for use in a Real Time 3D game.

How to Animate Using Breakdown Keys This lesson explores the use of breakdown keys and their relationship in time with the "regular" keyframes that are adjacent to them.

How to Paint Skin Weights Smooth Skin functionality is explored in conjunction with Artisan to Paint Vertex Weights on a pre-built character head.

How to Create Clothing Using Maya Cloth This lesson focuses on creating chain mail using Maya cloth. Cloth allows you to model garments which will simulate cloth behavior.

How to Apply Fur to a Character This lesson explains the process of adding fur to a character model.

Game Art - Modeling

The Modeling Overview section covers preferred methods of building models using primitives, and changing mesh density, pulling vertices, extruding and collapsing faces. To learn more about modeling using Maya, complete the following how-to lessons:

How to Setup Levels of Detail In this lesson you will create two lower resolutions of a model and set-up Level of Detail based on the distance to camera.

How to Build a Polygon Tower In this lesson, focus is placed on modeling a Polygon tower using techniques such as Extract, Collapse, Move, Scale, Duplicate, and Bend.

How to Model Using Subdivision Surfaces In this lesson you will learn how to model a spoon using Subdivision Surfaces.

Game Art - Texturing

Textures can provide extra visual detail to a model that would otherwise require more geometry. The Texturing Overview covers a variety of issues regarding texturing including: Tillable textures, decal sheets and texture images. To learn more about texturing using Maya, complete the following how-to lessons:

How to Texture a Polygon Tower This lesson goes a step further in texturing the polygon tower object built in the lesson How to Build a Polygon Tower.

How To Use Multi-texturing In this lesson you will learn how to use layered textures as well as creating multiple UV sets.

How to use IPR to Shade and Light the Castle In this lesson you will use Maya's IPR rendering to add color and texture to a scene. IPR will also be used to explore lighting and OptiF/X.

How to Create a Tree Using Paint Effects This lesson focuses on creating a tree using Paint Effects. You will also add animation to the tree and save your own brush presets.

Game Art - Level Building

A level is the environment in which the gameplayer will experience the game. The Level Building Overview Covers blind data and levels of detail information worked out during the level building process. To learn more about level building using Maya, complete the following how-to lesson:

How to Build a Level Using File Referencing In this lesson, you will learn how to build a level using existing assets and referencing them into your scene.

Game Engine

The Game Engine partners with hardware and game content to create an effective gaming experience. The Game Engine Overview section covers the following topics: Maya's Real Time SDK, The Game Viewer, Object Libraries, The Final Game, and Next Generation Game Development.