MODELLING A GAME CHARACTER IN MAYA

PREPARATION FOR MAYA In order to begin to bring your character

design into the 3D world it is a must that you create a turnaround view of your character to place in the different perspective cameras.

Now place these images into the correct perspective view. Press spacebar to access 4 different perspectives and then click view –> image plane –> import image And choose the correct image for that perspective

With the use of poly cylinders and cubes begin to create half the model (the other half will be made up from mirroring the already modelled half.) Use the split polygon and split edge tool to begin to form the character checking in the respective views to keep in line with the turnaround guides.

With games modelling the amount of polygons need to be kept an eye on. To do this click on the menuDisplay –> Heads up display –> Poly CountThis will calculate how many polygons you have to make sure you keep within your required limit

When you have finished making the half of your model make sure any individual parts are merged together using the merge vertices tool. Then mirror it on the –X axis which will make up the whole model. As it is a games model three or five sided faces do not matter too much.

Finally go to the Normals menu and select soften and harden on the edges across the model to get the desired effect.