Maya for 3D (x, y and z) graphics and animation

810:088 Topics in Computing: 3D Graphics in Maya - 9 MWF Fall 2009


Note: 810:088 MAYA is part of UNI Computer Science Department's Certificate in Computer Applications program.

The class Microcomputer Applications and Systems Integration is also offered in Fall 2009 at 2 MWF. It will include a major components on Adobe Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Flash. It will also include some Excel VBA macro training (Visual Basic for Applications - VBA).


  1. Maya has been used in the production of just about every major film involving computer-generated effects since its release, including Star Wars Episode I, Spider-Man, Lord of the Rings, Stuart Little, etc.

    1. Here is a link to the top 100 grossing films of all time. What percentage of these contain significant computer generated 3D visual effects? How many movies from the TOP 20?

    2. Of course, you don't want to forget those commercials. Talking lizards that sell car insurance. Super bowl commercials in 2008.

    3. Engineering and CAD (Computer Assisted Design) using Maya: What percentage of things that you own began life as a virtual model? Not to mention bridges, boats, tractors, combines, airplanes and buildings!

    4. Maya is used by Architects as well as Artists, Game Designers, Animators, Scientists and Film Makers.

      What were the majors and the hometowns of the 28 UNI students who took Maya this semester (Fall of 2008)?

         Fall of 2008 - 28 students              Spring of 2009 - 29 students           
      -----------------------------------     ---------------------------------------   
      Communications/Electronic Media  14     Management Information Systems (MIS) 12
                 Art: Studio Emphasis   5                         Computer Science  6
                     Computer Science   4          Communications/Electronic Media  5
               Graphic Communications   2                     Art: Studio Emphasis  4
         Computer Information Systems   2                               Accounting  4
          Movement & Exercise Science   1                   Graphic Communications  1
                              English   1                               Psychology  1
                                                                         Undecided  1
           2008/2009 academic year Maya totals
           -----------------------------------
                     Electronic Media 19
                                  MIS 12     <-------- mainly because of a conflict
                     Computer Science 10                     with MIS classes and 810:023
                 Art: Studio Emphasis  9                     certification class in spring.
                           Accounting  4     <-------- ditto
               Graphic Communications  3
                                  CIS  3
            Movement/Exercise Science  1
                           Psychology  1
                              English  1
                            Undecided  1
                                     -----  
                                      64    <--------- Note: several students have
                                                                     double majors.
      
    5. Fall semester of 2009 Maya class will be the 3rd time the class has been offered at UNI.
      It will also be the 3rd semester in a row that 810:088 Maya has been taught.
      Why is it a popular class? This page tries to provide some clues. Read on.

    6. There are no prerequisites for this 810:088 class.

    7. Be sure to watch this You Tube video to see the Animation Mentor school student showcase. All of their work is done using Maya software.

  2. Every episode of VeggieTales after King George and the Ducky was animated using Maya. It is used in combination with CorelDRAW to animate the cartoon South Park.

  3. "Alias Software's Maya is well known as a cutting edge 3D application. Early in March of 2003, Alias Software won an Oscar for Scientific and Technical Achievement for the development of Maya. Among its many credits, Maya was used to create visual effects in several Oscar winning and nominated movies, including The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Spider-Man, and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. According to one of my sources, Maya is used for up to half of the available 3D work opportunities." Nathan Segal.

  4. The Magnificent Seven stages of the Maya Animation Pipeline will each be the focus at different times during the class.
    Note: The seven buttons link to web pages that will not be created until Thanksgiving or Christmas break and will be developed as the spring 2009 class unfolds.

    Modeling; Characters and Rigging; Animation; Materials and Textures; Lights and Cameras; Special Effects; Rendering and Compositing - these are the seven stages.



  1. The Maya Animation pipeline has seven stages. You will gain experience, develop skills and grasp the associated concepts associated with every one of these stages in the 9 a.m. MWF class as you learn the Maya 3D graphics software.

  2. Look at either the QuickTime Fall 2007 showcase or the YouTube example Animation from AnimationMentor school. The tool they use is Maya.

  3. Another fun animation of a dancing alien. (You Tube)

  4. The Maya Personal Learning Edition (PLE), sadly and surprisingly is NO LONGER FREE. Autodesk now provides only a free 30 day TRIAL version of Maya. Do NOT install that trial version yet, unless you know you are going to purchase the educational discount software in a few weeks.

    Luckily, almost every computer lab at UNI now provides Maya. Every SCC (Student Computer Center) lab has Maya 2009. Lang 213 also has Maya 2009, along with Adobe After Effects, which we will use to render some of your animation artistry.

  5. Maya still life examples: Characters and Cars and random ideas and examples and more miscellaneous 3D Maya creations.