What makes Autodesk Maya the best 3D Software for animation?

The advent of computer graphics goes back to the 1940's where the very first computer assisted graphics began in many different fields across the world.  Initially CG was more research based and used mainly by the millitary. It was only later that CG was used in film, TV and art.

One of the most popular software used to create three dimensional computer graphics in today's time and age is Maya by Autodesk. Created by combining three existing softwares, (The Advanced Visualizer by Wavefront Technologies, Thomson Digital Image (TDI) Explore, PowerAnimator by Alias, and Alias Sketch!), the first version of Maya was released in February 1998 by Alias Systems Corporation. It wasn't until 2005 that Autodesk bought Maya.

What makes Maya so popular with the artists is the fact that Walt Disney Feature Animation worked closely during the development of the User Interface. The User Interface is very intuitive and clear. All the functionalities are neatly arranged into categories and sub categories making it simpler for the artists.

Since its inception Autodesk Maya has been used to create visual assets for many movies, television and web series, games, et'cetera.

Users define a virtual workspace to implement and edit media of a particular scene. This software can be used to create 3D models such as characters, props and backgrounds; to unwrap the models for texturing. Maya is also used for adding controls to the 3D models, this process is called rigging. It is also used to animate or add motion to various objects in a 3D space using a timeline. Once the animation is done, virtual lights are added into the scene to render high quality sequential images when compiled may result into a video. Maya can create dynamic particle systems and stimulate fur, hair and cloth. It also supports procedural modelling and texturing. It also has a huge library of visual assets that can be used to create elaborate and mesmerising graphics. The node based material creation offered by Maya helps artists script visually to create stunning graphics.

Reasons why a 3D artist should learn Autodesk Maya:

• Maya is the one stop shop for all you 3D needs.
• It is compatible with Windows, Linux and OSX.
• Maya is used by top feature film animation studios.
• Award winning films use Maya.
• Maya offers a free student liscence making it financially easier to learn.
• There is a lot of learning material available both online and offline.
• Maya supports various file formats making transitition of work between other software easy.
• Maya is built in a way that makes collaboration amongst huge teams effortless.
• It is one of the few software that support NURBS Modelling.
• Many people across the world use Autodesk Maya which has created a huge online community where knowledge and information is shared openly.
• The chances of landing you dream job drastically increase when you know Maya.
• Learning a robust software like Autodesk Maya will help make the transition to other proprietary software easier.

Sofa 3D Model

 

Gaming concept video

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Samara

IK FK in rigging what is ?

Rigging is a process in 3D animation, which is basically adding controls to the model/ mesh. It uses joints or a chain of joints along the model/ mesh. These chains can be manipulated through two different processes. IK and FK are processes used during rigging a 3D character for animation. These are applied to a rig and can be switchable in a way that both can be used as per convenience. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. IK is easier for quick posing where as FK is easier for detailed animation. A good example for the use of IK and FK in character animation would be where IK is used for showing the character grabbing a glass and FK while the character waves his/ her hand.

IK:
It stands for Inverse Kinematics, when applied to a chain of joints the motion/ position of the entire chain depends upon the child joint. Meaning the position/ movement of the child joint is independent/ free to the position/ movement of the parent joint. This method is mostly used to show animation where the end joint doesn’t follow the motion of the rest of the chain. Example: Lifting/ pushing an object, jumping over a wall while resting your hand, for legs during a walk cycle, et’ cetera.

FK:
It stands for Forward Kinematics, when applied to a chain of joints the motion/ position of the child joint is dependent on the orientation/ position of the parent joint. Meaning when the first joint in a chain is moved/ rotated, the end joint will move as well. This method is used for joint chains to show a continuous action or where the child moves according to the movement of the parent joint. It is easier to show follow through by the FK process. Example: hands in a walk cycle, rope/ string animation, whip animation, et’ cetera.

Shriram Life Insurance, Cafeteria Design

Too many times working as freelancer I have faced a situation where I did not get payed after doing the work. Cheaters and liars, move fast but don't go far. I have become a little thick skinned and mentally prepared for such situations over the years. That somehow shouldn't stop me from sharing stories about high class corporate companies which screw with small timers like me.

So this tale is about Shriram Life Insurance, Hyderabad. I work with a small team of three people on interior designing projects. So we got a call from Mr. Vinay from Shriram Life Insurance asking us to redesign the cafeteria. We went there got the measurements, he told us that he wanted to increase the seating space and would like to see the design in 2D and 3D images.

I told my partners that we will ask for a small advance before we start the work. They thought that a corporate company with such high reputation would never back off from such an agreement. I had a bad feeling about this from the start. We made various designs and even made modifications according to his requirements. After receiving all the design from us, he simply stopped responding.

Such is the state of things but do-gooders(like me) need not worry about a thing. Why ? Cause, I'm eating good, Can't bring me down !!!! :D

Costume Variations

The change in element of design can change a lot about the character's personality. Here we see the same character in three different hair styles, clothes and footwear. Each time the same character has a different personality. Differences in his past, about what she does for a living, what he did last weekend ? Where she was last night ? What he likes, her dislikes, his dreams, her strengths, his weaknesses, her addictions, his desires, her passions, their lives. Whether the person is more laid back or more serious and responsible about life. Whether they spend most time alone or with a large group of people. So many messages can be conveyed through the character's "look".

  

This is to understand how costume and styling can tell us so much about the characters that we use to tell our story. The details we add can set so much mood and stereotype to our characters that by simply variating between three hair styles, three dress styles and three shoes styles; we can create nine different characters, each with a unique story to tell.

Most of the times the main character will have a fixed costume to show stability and perseverance. By making changes in the look and feel of the character we get variations in mood, emotion, attitude. 

Think out of the box

If voting changed anything they would make it illegal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_YncKVDAPA

Product Design

Few product designs that i made.