Introduction to Autodesk Maya
By Miguel Miranda
, 3D modeler
Learn 3D modeling from scratch and master the most used software in cinema, animation and advertising
- Domestika Basics 6 coursesBest seller Spanish with subtitles in English
- 96% positive reviews (446)
- 16002 students
Learn 3D modeling from scratch and master the most used software in cinema, animation and advertising
- 96% positive reviews (446)
- 16002 students
- 6 courses
- Online and at your own pace
- Audio: Spanish
- Level: Beginner
- 56 lessons (8h 39m)
- 22 downloads
- Available on the app
- Spanish, English, Portuguese, German, Italian, French, Polish, Dutch
- Unlimited access forever
- Certificate upon completion of the course
Domestika Basics · 6 courses included
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Course 1 – First Approach to Maya
By Miguel Miranda
Get to know the work environment and create your first animation
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Course 3 – Modeling a Basic Character
By Miguel Miranda
Learn topology basics and start modeling a character
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Course 4 – Correct Topology for Animation
By Miguel Miranda
Discover all the tools and basics to start animating your creation
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Course 5 – UVs: Displaying and Understanding
By Miguel Miranda
Start to understand UVs, learn to apply them and create UVs for a character
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Course 6 – Render and Facial Expressions
By Miguel Miranda
Create lights and renders in a scene and learn how to use blendshapes on your character
If you are passionate and want to get started in 3D modeling objects and characters, it is essential to master Autodesk Maya, the software 3D more widespread in the industry. In this 6-course Domestika Basics, you will learn from the hand of 3D modeler Miguel Miranda, to use all the tools that Maya offers from scratch, seeing techniques for modeling characters, creating materials and lights and rendering the scene.
First, you will become familiar with the work environment. You will start moving through the software learning where the menus and tools are organized. You will create your first camera and first 3D object, to start experimenting with it. You will learn to use the timeline.
In the second course, you will delve into all the tools necessary to model. You will be introduced to two essential menus, Mesh and Edit Mesh . Then, you will perform your first modeling, as well as an asset for a character.
Next, you will organize a scene and learn how to clean geometry in Maya. You will see and understand the ways of smoothing in 3D, and you will know the basic concepts about topology. Then, you will learn to use the brushes to sculpt your first character, in a simple way.
Then you will focus on working the parts and traits of the character, leaving it finished for its production. You will see the basics of topology for 3D animation, learning the basic tools, the importance of axes and directions.
You will start the fifth course by seeing which is the correct pipeline to finish a character in production. You will see what the UVs are, how to deploy them and place them correctly, so that you can finally do the UVs or the mapping of your character.
In the last course, you will create the lights of a scene and a set of render in Arnold to render your 3D objects and characters, and present them once modeled. You will discover the different textures and how to apply them. Finally, you'll see how to do blendShapes to finalize your character's face.
Technical requirements
- ⦁ A computer with Windows or macOS.
⦁ Autodesk Maya - version 2015 onwards - If you do not have it downloaded, remember that you can use the trial version.
⦁ It is recommended to have a graphics tablet.
Reviews

Miguel Miranda has been a 3D artist for more than 10 years, with his specialty modeling 3D characters. He has made characters for advertising, cinema, videogames cinematics, videogames and cartoon .
He has worked in several studios, although he currently works as a modeler at 23rd Monday Animation Studio and conducting assignments as a freelance.
Content
Course 1 – First Approach to Maya
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U1
Welcome
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Welcome
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U2
Introduction to Maya: Work Environment
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Introduction to Maya: Work Environment
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U3
Browse the 3D environment. 3D cameras and objects
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Browse the 3D environment. 3D cameras and objects.
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U4
Create the first 3D object. How to move and modify it
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Create the first 3D object. How to move and modify it
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U5
Basic hardsurface
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Basic hardsurface
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U6
Create 3D text. Polygon tool
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Create 3D text: Polygon tool
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U7
Layers and Selections
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Layers and Selections
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U8
Hypershade: materials
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Hypershade: materials
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U9
Animation
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Animation
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U10
Practice: puzzle
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Practice: puzzle
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Course 2 – Modeling a 3D Object
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U1
Welcome
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Welcome
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U2
Delete and delete: differences. Multicut and merge
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Delete and delete: differences. Multicut and merge
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U3
Modeling Toolkit: extrude, bevel, connect, quad Draw
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Modeling Toolkit: extrude, bevel, connect, quad Draw
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U4
Modeling tools: smooth, bridge, append ...
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Modeling tools: smooth, bridge, append ...
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U5
Duplicate, combine and separate objects
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Duplicate, combine and separate objects
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U6
Soft selection
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Soft selection
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U7
Deformers
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Deformers
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U8
Mesh and Edit Mesh menus
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Mesh and Edit Mesh menus
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U9
Use MASH to create a necklace
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Use MASH to create a necklace
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U10
Practice: model sword
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Practice: model sword
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Course 3 – Modeling a Basic Character
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U1
Welcome
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Welcome
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U2
Scene cleaning and geometry. Groups Custom shelf
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Scene cleaning and geometry. Groups Custom shelf
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U3
Basic Fundamentals in Topology 1
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Basic Fundamentals in Topology 1
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U4
Subdivision surfaces: smooth mesh preview
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Subdivision surfaces: smooth mesh preview
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U5
Scales. Measure tools
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Scales. Measure tools
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U6
Image plane
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Image plane
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U7
Maya's sculpted menu
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Maya's sculpted menu
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U8
Content Browser
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Content Browser
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U9
Practice: character
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Practice. Character_2
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Practice. Character_1
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Course 4 – Correct Topology for Animation
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U1
Welcome
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Welcome
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U2
How to create eyes and teeth in a character
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How to create eyes and teeth in a character
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U3
Fundamentals in topology for characters
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Fundamentals in topology for characters
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U4
Previous guidelines for animation topology
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Previous guidelines for animation topology
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U5
Use Live and quad draw to retopologize
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Use Live and quad draw to retopologize
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U6
Topology on the body, trunk, legs and arms
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Topology on the body, trunk, legs and arms
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U7
Topology in the hands
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Topology in the hands
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U8
Facial topology: colors for zones
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Facial topology: colors for zones
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U9
Practice
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Practice
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Course 5 – UVs: Displaying and Understanding
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U1
Welcome
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Welcome
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U2
The Pipeline is fundamental
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The Pipeline is fundamental
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U3
What are UVs?
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What are UVs?
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U4
UV editor: tools
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UV editor: tools
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U5
Unfold UVs
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Unfold Uvs
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U6
Where to make UV cuts
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Where to make UV cuts
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U7
UVs spaces. Checker map
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UVs spaces. Checker map
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U8
Practice: UVs of a character
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Practice: UVs of a character
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Course 6 – Render and Facial Expressions
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U1
Welcome
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Welcome
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U2
Lights
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Lights
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U3
First render
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First render
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U4
Different textures and apply them in the Hypershade
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Different textures and apply them in the Hypershade
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U5
What is a blendshape
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What is a blendshape
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U6
Prepare the geometry for blendshapes. Cut head
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Prepare the geometry for blendshapes. Cut head
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U7
Basic blendshapes facial. What moves in an expression?
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Basic blendshapes facial. What moves in an expression?
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U8
Make eyes-closed blendshape
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Make eyes-closed blendshape
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U9
Practice
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Practice
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See the content of the 6 courses
About Domestika Basics
Domestika Basics is a series of courses focused on teaching the most commonly used software by creative professionals worldwide.
The content has been meticulously curated and is intended for both students going into a new creative field and more experienced professionals who want to polish their skills.
Learn with the best Domestika teachers through practical lessons, tons of resources, and a progressive difficulty that'll allow you to see results from day one.
Domestika Basics will allow you to step up your professional game and be prepared to score better projects.
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Without prior knowledge.
Domestika Basics gives you everything you need to get started in a new creative field and become an expert in it.
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Focused on the tool.
Discover its main components, techniques, and the tried-and-true methods you need to master it.
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Learn fast
With a straightforward, step-by-step approach, our outstanding professionals will teach you how to get the most out of the program.
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Certificates New
Certificates included in all courses: get a custom certificate signed by your teacher whenever you complete a course so you can share your achievements.
ownelhm
No está mal. Esta bien para lo más básico. Me hubiera gustado que fuera project based. Si lo recomiendo si eres totalmente nuevo en Maya. En la práctica de UVs se vio que tuvo unas dificultades y si eres nuevo, no sabrás cómo lo resolvió si te llegase a pasar, porque se saltó eso.
En general está bien si empiezas de cero y se ve que Miguel está bien preparado.
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moralespadilla
PlusSiento que el maestro está muy preparado para trabajar en 3D y seguro tiene muchos buenos proyectos en los que ha trabajado, pero como maestro la verdad su técnica es muy mala. La razón:
SOLO HAY UNA PRÁCTICA POR BLOQUE. Después de muchísimas lecciones teóricas se supone que apliques lo aprendido, pero nunca hubo pequeñas prácticas al final de cada clase para fijar lo ejemplificado. Mejor ver la práctica que tiene planeada y empezarla desde el inicio para así irte guiando con las lecciones.
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o_shepard
Me sabe mal porque seguro que Miguel es genial, pero como alumna diré que es un curso frustrante. Es una INTRO a Maya y me estoy volviendo loca: pierdo el hilo constantemente, no consigo seguir al profe, muchas veces no comenta los shortcuts que usa, va muy rápido y así los fundamentos no se quedan. Algún alumnx sugiere ralentizar los vídeos, pero corres el peligro de desmotivarte y perderte aún más. Es una pena, tenía muchas ganas de aprender (utilizo 3Ds Max), pero no sé por dónde cogerlo.
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pekeyandroid
Gran curso
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capano
a differenza di altri corsi ho difficoltà a seguire le spiegazioni, troppo veloci e poco dettagliate, sicuramente e bravo nel lavorare con Maya, un po meno a spiegarlo.
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