Use Maya to create realistic environments and props for digital games

Weapons, vehicles, tools, buildings, trees, plants, walls, ceilings, and floors-these items may seem secondary to the game environment, but they are integral parts of the game and they all need to be created. Maya Studio Projects: Game Environments and Props is a step-by-step project guide to creating some of the most popular game art.

In this course we will look at a variety of techniques for adding detail and age to objects in Mudbox.

When creating assets in Mudbox, there are a number of things we can do to add realism to the models. Using a chair as an example, we'll learn how to use sculpting tools to add important details to the cushions like seams, wrinkles, folds, and buttons. We will also explore different ways of adding age and patterns of use into the chair. Then we will paint aged and worn textures and look at ways we can add wear and age to existing texture maps. Upon completion, you'll have a better understanding of some the things that you can do to add realism to your models in Mudbox.

In this course we will build a stylized super-computer in 3ds Max. When building props and set pieces, even those of the more simplified variety, it's sometimes difficult to know where to start. It's also a challenge to create models that have a consistent visual style, not only within themselves, but with the characters and other props that inhabit that environment. In this course we will use the modeling tools in Max to build a cartoony super-computer. We'll explore modeling tools like connect edges, bevel, and extrude as well as spline-based tools that will allow us to build some of the different pieces of the model. In addition, we'll learn to use modifiers to achieve a cartoony, stylized look. Upon completion, you'll be able to start building up your own stylized props and set pieces to enhance the 3d worlds you create.

This course covers tools and techniques for animating props in Maya. We'll discuss methods that are animator-friendly for prop animation. We'll learn how to animate constrained objects, how to blend smoothly between our space-switches as we keyframe a constraint's weight, and we'll even explore at technique for switching between spaces with no offset. At the end of this course, you'll have the knowledge you need to overcome the challenges of prop animation.

Join portrait photographer James Schmelzer as he shares his cutting-edge ideas and concepts for creating and lighting unique backgrounds for studio portraits.

You’ll begin by learning the custom props workflow in Source® and basics of 3D animation in Autodesk’s® Maya® 8. Then, develop, export and compile your creations and learn to manipulate them within the powerful Hammer™ level editor. Before you know it you’ll be creating dynamic objects that can be walked on, picked up, broken apart and brought to life within Source powered games. http://www.design3.com/source-engine/level-design/custom-props-a-animation-with-maya .