Introduction to Maya 2025: UV Toolkit
Texturing Fundamentals using Maya & ZBrush with Eric Keller
Description
Mastering the creation, editing, and layout of UV texture coordinates is fundamental for anyone involved in modeling and texturing. These coordinates are essential as they dictate how 2D textures map onto 3D surfaces, playing a pivotal role in nearly every computer graphics pipeline, from gaming to visual effects, and even motion graphics. Maya's UV Toolkit offers a comprehensive suite of tools, refined across numerous software updates. This workshop provides an in-depth analysis of the toolkit, examining each tool, option, and setting available, along with insights into the UV Editor itself.
The detailed tutorial begins with the first 11 chapters focusing on a thorough walkthrough of the UV toolkit. Instructor Eric Keller explains and demonstrates each function from the top of the interface to the bottom, detailing the UV Editor's layout and highlighting special tools found on the UV Editor shelf. From chapters 12 to 17, he shifts to a practical application using a character model to demonstrate how these tools are utilized in real-world scenarios.
You'll learn how UVs are created and laid out for different parts of a model, including the body and clothing. Remember, the methods to create and arrange UVs vary greatly depending on the end use of the model. While these examples showcase the toolkit in action, they are not prescriptive but rather illustrative of various techniques. In the concluding chapter, Eric shares some advanced tips and strategies for managing UV texture coordinates in Maxon’s ZBrush.
Duration: 4h 37m
Format: HD 1920x1080
Eric Keller
CG artist
Eric Keller is an Emmy-nominated CG artist with over 25 years of experience crafting high-quality models andanimations for feature films, television, scientific visualization, planetarium shows, VR, AR, 3D printing, and jewelry design. A dedicated educator, he has created training content for The Gnomon Workshop and has taught ZBrush, Maya, and creature design at GNOMON in Hollywood. Since beginning his career, which started in 1998, Eric has worked extensively in both the entertainment industry and scientific visualization, contributing to commercials, games, and blockbuster films. His expertise in ZBrush and Maya has led him to author several highly regarded books, as well as numerous tutorials and articles for industry-leading publications, including 3D World and 3D Artist. In 2023, his work on Netflix’s Wednesday earned him an Emmy nomination for outstanding title design. His extensive VFX credits include 10 Cloverfield Lane, Star Trek: Beyond, Aquaman (1 and 2), John Wick (3 and 4), HBO’s Raised by Wolves, Dune: Prophecy, Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House, Wednesday, and One Piece, as well as the Signs of Life planetarium show at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. As an instructor, he has taught at Harvard Medical School, the Los Angeles Figurative Art Academy, and the Smithsonian Institute. Eric is an active member of the ZBrush beta-testing community and a Maxon ZBrush Master Trainer. He shares his knowledge regularly through weekly sessions on the Maxon ZBrush Live channel, always inspiring and educating the next generation of digital artists.
