MAYA How-To Videos & Articles

Follow these maya tutorials to learn all about maya with WonderHowTo's collection of free how to videos, like Model a dolphin in Maya, Create a ramped shader to texture multiple Maya models, and Render curves in RenderMan for Maya.

You'll also find several great software tutorials in the Software category.

254 how-to videos

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How to model a dolphin in Maya

In this 3D modeling software series you will learn how to model organically with polygons in Maya. For this example, you will learn how to ...more

A 10:39

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 2

How to create a ramped shader to texture multiple Maya models

In this lesson we will learn how to use nested ramps and our UV layout ...more

A- 10:37

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 1

How to render curves in RenderMan for Maya

In this software lesson we will learn how to render curves in RenderMan for Maya. See how to use the shared geometric attributes menu of ...more

A- 10:07

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 1

How to animate on motion paths in Maya

In this lesson we will learn how to use a motion path to drive a sled's animation in Maya. Animating on motion paths is an easy way to get ...more

A- 5:04

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 2

How to create a stain glass window in Maya

This tutorial series shows you how to work with lighting in Maya by creating a stain glass window with a candle in front of it. This is a ...more

A- 23:13

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 1

How to model a human head with great edge flow in Maya

Learn the most efficient and quick way to model a head with polygonal ...more

A- 9:50

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 3

How to model a human torso in Maya

A demonstration of how to model a human torso simply and effectively using image planes in Maya. This is a detailed tutorial but it will ...more

A- 7:11

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 6

How to mirror geometry in Maya the new school way

So we got half a Maya model...now what? We mirror it over and merge the vertices, all with one command, to get us a solid object. We use the ...more

A- 5:22

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 1

How to use the split polygon tool in Maya

This 3D modeling software tutorial shows you how to use the split polygon modeling tool in Maya. Learn how to use the split polygon tool to ...more

A- 5:04

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 0

How to model a knurl in Maya

A knurl refers to one of a series of small ridges or grooves on the surface or edge of a metal object, such as a thumbscrew, to aid in ...more

A- 3:45

Curated 1 year ago by MeGustaLasOlas | Comments 0

How to move and rotate pole vectors in Maya 8.5

Take a gander at this 3D animation video tutorial on how to move pole vectors in Autodesk Maya 8.5. So, if you need to move that pole ...more

A- 3:04

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 1

How to move objects in Maya 8.5

Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial on how to move objects around. You'll learn about the channel box and how to use ...more

A- 4:31

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to use specular maps to texture a lemon in Maya

This tutorial shows you how to use specular maps to create textures on a lemon in Maya. Lesson files here: http://www.houseoftutorials ...more

A- 12:41

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to use the Trax editor in Maya 8.5

Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial on how to use the Trax editor for your 3D animated object. If you're 3D modeling, then this ...more

A- 4:51

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to model a human body in Maya

This tutorial series shows you how to model anatomy of the human body in Maya and gives specific tips on how to eventually be able to do it ...more

A- 21:32

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 7

How to create a working piston using Maya

This tutorial shows you how to create a working piston in Maya. The key is to use constraints so that as one piece moves, the others move ...more

B+ 9:35

Curated 2 years ago by The Wonder Team | Comments 0

How to create lip sync animations in Maya

This tutorial explains how to create lip sync and facial animations in Maya on a figure. This is an important skill to have if you plan on ...more

B+ 10:00

Curated 2 years ago by The Wonder Team | Comments 0

How to mirror geometry in Maya the old school way

Did you know there is more than one way to mirror geometry in Maya? You are probably familiar with the newer mirror tool but there used to ...more

B+ 4:00

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 0

How to snap points in Maya 8.5

This 3D modeling software tutorial will show you how to snap points in Maya 8.5. There are multiple ways to snap points which will be ...more

B+ 5:49

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 2

How to use anticipation when animating in Maya

In this 3D software lesson we will learn about anticipation - one of the 12 principles of animation and how to apply it to animating in Maya ...more

B+ 7:06

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to use ASHLI bump shaders in Maya

In this Maya lesson we will learn how to use ASHLI bump shaders to make a low polygon mesh look more detailed in real time. Creating ASHLI ...more

B+ 5:38

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 1

How to use point cloud occlusion in RenderMan for Maya

In this software lesson we will learn how to use Point Cloud Occlusion ...more

B+ 4:18

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 2

How to use the paint blendshapes tool in Maya

In this lesson we will learn how to use the Paint Blendshapes tool to create new blendshapes in Maya. The paint blendshapes tool is one way ...more

B+ 4:05

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to animate in Maya

Animation controls run on the bottom of the screen. The time slider is the most important control for designing frames in Maya. Playback is ...more

B+ 5:03

Curated 7 months ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to animate hierarchical characters in Maya

Dissect the object of its parts. Select the curves to rotate, model or scale the whole character. The Maya hot keys are as follows: W ...more

B+ 3:32

Curated 7 months ago by rmansur | Comments 1

How to assign textures to UV's in Maya

This video shows you how to assign textures to uv's on models in Maya. This is a traditional method but fundamental to understand. You'll be ...more

B+ 50:30

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to create a snake animation with sine deformers in Maya

In this lesson we will learn how to use and animate a Sine deformer to ...more

B+ 4:49

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 4

How to model with the poly crease tool in Maya

In this Maya 7 and up modeling lesson we will learn how to use the poly crease tool. The poly crease tool is one of the Maya tools used in ...more

B+ 3:32

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to create bones in Maya 8.5

If you need to create an animated character, Maya is the software program for you. If you don't know how to make that character you've ...more

B+ 4:23

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to work an Advanced Rig for character animation in Maya

Character rigging is important. Advanced Rigging makes it easier to ...more

A- 6:02

Curated 7 months ago by rmansur | Comments 4

How to model objects using blendshapes in Maya

In this Maya lesson we will learn how to use Blendshapes during the modeling process to add flexibility to our model. Learn how to use Maya ...more

B+ 6:05

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to use motion samples in RenderMan for Maya

In this lesson we will learn how to use Motion Samples in RenderMan for Maya. Using RenderMan motion samples allows you to increase the ...more

B+ 6:00

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to bake topology to targets in Maya

In this Maya lesson we will learn about using the command Bake Topology to Targets. The Bake Topology to Targets tool is used most when ...more

B+ 3:44

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 2

How to extrude a surface along an animated curve in Maya

In this 3D software lesson we will learn the process of setting up an ...more

B+ 6:41

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 3

How to make ice cream with Illustrator objects in Maya

In this lesson we will learn how to use an Adobe Illustrator object ...more

B+ 4:37

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 2

How to set up image planes in Maya

If you plan to do a lot of modeling in Maya, you will find it is easier if you set up reference images on image planes. This tutorial shows ...more

B+ 12:45

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 0

How to smooth proxy objects in Maya

ets face it: modeling in polygons in Maya is a rough way to make organic objects. In comes the smooth player: subdivision proxy objects ...more

B+ 6:05

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 1

How to use the smooth proxy tool in Maya 7.0

Smooth Proxy is a great tool for polygon modeling in Autodesk's Maya 7.0. This video tutorial will get you introduced to how to use the ...more

B+ 4:38

Curated 1 year ago by Pigeonchicken | Comments 0

How to UV map a motherboard box in Maya

In this tutorial you will learn how to UV map a motherboard box in Maya. This Maya software tutorial covers basic UV mapping procedures and ...more

B+ 5:22

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to swap resolutions using LOD controls in Maya

In this tutorial we will learn how to use Maya's Level of Detail feature to speed up our renders. See how to change the resolution of ...more

B+ 6:06

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to use follow-through & overlapping to animate in Maya

In this animation lesson we will learn about follow-through and ...more

B+ 9:00

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to use SyFlex as a deformer in Maya

In this Maya lesson we will learn how to set up SyFlex relationships using the Wrap Deformer. See how to take a polygon plane, simulate it ...more

B+ 8:39

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to create mattes in Maya for Mental Ray rendering

In this Maya 3D software lesson we will learn various ways to render ...more

B+ 3:32

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to create tileable textures in Maya

Learn how to use the UV texture editor in Maya to create tileable textures.

B+ 28:50

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to edit UV's in Maya

Learn how to edit UVs on an object and how they are made in Maya. These videos are made for a very young audience and are very easy to ...more

B+ 27:14

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to fix overlapping UVs with UV Shading in Maya 8.5

When building models in Maya, you don't want the UVs of your object to ...more

B+ 4:13

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 1

How to generate normal maps in Maya

This tutorial shows you how to generate normal maps to add depth to your textures in Maya.

B+ 22:34

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to manipulate geometry with the Maya UV texture editor

In this tutorial we will learn how to use the UV Texture Editor as a ...more

B+ 5:28

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to re-attach a head with blendshapes to its body in Maya

In this Maya character lesson we will learn a rigging solution for ...more

B+ 10:27

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 0

How to render Maya scenes from the command line

In this lesson we will learn how to render Maya scenes directly from the command prompt. Rendering from the command line is an important ...more

B+ 13:10

Curated 1 year ago by rmansur | Comments 1

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DARPA Develops Explosive Blocking Mega-Shield

DARPA has released footage of the Iron Curtain, a pretty impressive shield system that will protect armored vehicles from oncoming explosives. With $8 million in Army approved funds, DARPA will ...

Big Brother's Watching You (HowTo Un-Google Yourself)

Some think of Google as the ultimate Big Brother, and with good reason. If you use Google (and most of us do), Google potentially has your email history, your complete search history, your travel ...

LEGO Fashion Hits the Runway

Whether you're inclined to love it or leave it, you've gotta admit one thing about JC de Castelbajac's LEGO fashion line- it's fun. More 80's pop culture revival: LEGO constructed hats and LEGO ...

WonderHowTo loves pranks. So, naturally we're big fans of College Humor, particularly Prank Wars. Prank Wars stars Amir and Streeter, best pals. Best pals that love to humiliate one another...to say ...

From Dying To Flying

Dean Potter, one of National Geographic's Ten Adventurers of the Year, set a world record for base jumping in 2009. Via NatGeo: "On a sunny afternoon in mid-August, Dean Potter stepped onto a ...

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Iron Curtain FTW (remember C&C?)

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And with introduction of Google Public DNS (http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/), they will be able to track every singe dns request your IP makes (assuming you will use the service).

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