T0754 - Gnomon Maya Training Deformers 1 - 3 (3 Disk)

Gnomon Maya Training Deformers 1: Clusters And Blendshape |

Deformers are intuitive and interactive tools used to sculpt surfaces into new shapes, circumventing the need to edit vertices one-by-one. Maya offers a large suite of unique deformers which can be used in conjuction with each other to yield complex effects. Whether you are rigging a character or designing a crashing wave, a thorough understanding of Maya’s deformers is crucial. Simple mistakes made early on can cause big problems down the road.

Clusters and Blendshape are two indispensible deformers which you will find yourself relying on over and over again. Clusters allow you to apply transform node functionality to multiple vertices, while Blendshape is a morphing tool. We examine the application of these deformers to NURBS, Polygons and Subdivision surfaces (including NURBS patch models), with a focus on higher-level workflow techniques.

Gnomon Maya Training Deformers 2: Sculpt, Lattice And Wrap |

Sculpt deformers are spherical objects which create rounded deformations. They can be used to simulate effects such as liquid pumping through tubes, or a character chewing and swallowing food. Lattice and Wrap deformers are unique in how they allow you to deform surfaces with low-res shapes. The potential uses are therefore quite varied: a high-res NURBS patch-model can have facial expressions designed using just 40 points, a character can be animated squeezing itself through a keyhole, a dynamic simulation can have its performance quadrupled, and so on. This lecture addresses several examples with a focus on workflow and application.

Gnomon Maya Training Deformers 3: Wire, Wrinkle And Jiggle |

Wires and Wrinkles are curve deformers, which are useful as both sculpting and effects tools. While a wire can be used to reshape or animate a character’s brow, they can also be used to create ripples, ocean swells or burrowing creatures.

Jiggle deformers are unique in that they do not deform surfaces via direct user manipulation. Their purpose is to create automated secondary shape animation (inertia-driven follow through). For example, a character’s thighs can exhibit the correct amount of wobble as he walks or a bird’s feathers can react naturally to the flapping of its wings. In this lecture we also discuss the pros and cons of Jiggle deformers vs Softbody dynamics.