Studio Brief 1 - Modelling!

For this first study task, we have been given the challenge of building the character previously used from scratch. Thankfully we have been provided with tutorial videos on how to do each part of the body, which makes thing so much easier!


One thing I didn't realise was the importance of reference imagery when modelling in Maya. Once these two images were imported it was much easier to see where to line up the edges and vertices.

I began by extruding the pelvis of the character from a cube, then continued up to the shoulders and torso. Each section of the body was extruded outwards one out of the other.

How did I find it?

The whole process was actually really interesting and being able to do it at my own pace made the learning side easier for me.

As I got futher though the modelling, it became more and more second nature to me. I found myself using specific tools and commands without having to remember what they were for.

What have I learnt?

Through out this, I have become familiar with different tools, modes and terminology in Maya. For example, I understand what it measn to be in Object, Face, Vertex and Edge mode.

I now have the knowledge of how it works when extruding a shape outwards, when it comes to knowing which areas to manipulate and what mode to be in for that specific action.

Before this, I had no idea what a vertex was, however I now know that it is the corner point at which two edges meet, and these points can be moved around.

 What did I find difficult?

One of the things I struggled with the most was keeping track of which vert went where, when referring to the imagery. I often found myself moving and edge or vert from the back instead of the front, or vice versa.

My way of making sure I was constantly on track was so regularly switch between the views. Perspective view allowed me to turn the model around in all directions, so it was easy to see if I had made any mistakes, which I often had, however I now know that when I do this again, I will not only do it better but also faster!


I was really pleased with my final model, the only issue at the end was the mouth, I realised I must have made an extra extrusion because there were two extra faces inside the mouth, which was easily reversible.