Maya basics tutorial

In this tutorial, you will learn the basics of Maya by modeling a Coke can.

Full can

Go through the steps in the tutorial below or refer to the following video to learn the basics of Maya.

Step 1: Creating a Project File

Once you open Maya you need to create a project file. To do this go to file >> Project window >> New >> and enter the name of your project under current project >> Accept.

File
Project window
New
Name of the project

Step 2: Importing a Reference Image

You will need an image to be used as a reference for the object you are modeling. Download an image from Google as a reference.

To import an image into Maya go to the view you want it to be imported into (if the image is a picture taken from the front of the object import it in the front view) >> view >> image panel >> import image >> select your image.

Importing a reference image into mayas viewport

Now that you have imported an image into Maya, scale the image and push it back. Add it into a layer and make it so that you cannot select the image panel.

Adding a layer in maya

To make the layer an unselectable layer click on the 3rd option that will be a blank box until it displays as R.

Not selectaable layer

Step 3. Starting to Model the Coke Can

Create a cylinder and scale it such that it fits the image of the Coke can.

Scaling the can

Select the vertices on the top and move it to the top of the can in the reference image and do the same for the bottom.

Lenght of the can

Create a few subdivisions by holding shift+right click and selecting insert edge loop

Insert edge loop
Subdiv

Pull the top of the cylinder up and add a few sub-divisions to help shape the cylinder with the help of the ‘multicut’ tool.

Multicut
Multicut subdiv

Select the vertices and shape them by using the uniform scale function (by pressing R).

Top shape

Select the side faces at the top of the can and extrude it outwards (ctrl+E) to create the rim.

Extrude the top

Create subdivisions at the bottom of the cylinder using ‘multicut’ and shape it to look similar to the reference image.

Bottom shaping

Select the faces underneath the cylinder press R to scale hold shift while uniform scaling inward to extrude the faces inwards and pull the selected faces up to create the bottom of the can.

Bottom of the can

Import another image that is a reference for the top of the can and scale it to the cylinder and add it into the layer that was already made by selecting the image panel right-clicking on layer 1 and clicking add selected.

Top

Step 4. Creating the detail at the Top of the Can

Use ‘multicut’ and cut around the shape at the top of the can.

Top multi

Select the faces that have just been made and extrude them outwards 3 times in small intervals to lock the shape and select the vertex in the middle hold shipt+right click and click on chamfer vertex.

Locking shape

To create the dip select the faces at the top that are around the area of the dip press R to scale hold shift and uniform scale it inward to create another set of polygons that will be used to get the shape of the dip.

Shape of dip

Select all the faces and uniform scale it inward while holding shift to get the rim of the dip and shape it.

Inside dip

Select the other edge of the dip and extrude it upwards 3 times to lock the shape.

Locking dip

Do the same to create the dip at the top and press 3 to check how it looks when smooth.

Top smooth

Step 5: Creating the Lid for the Can

To create the lid, spawn in a square shape it to the size of the lid on the reference image. Create 4 equal segments using ‘multicut’ and one line to split the cube length wise.

Lid start

Select the top set of cubes other than the sides and uniform scale it inwards while holding Shift. Do the same for the bottom set of cubes.

Lid hole before hole

Shape it to look like the lid and delete the polygons in the center to form the hole.

Hole without border

Select the edge loops on the top and bottom then hold shift+right click and click on bridge to close the hole that was created.

Bridge

Create the lid shape and add multcuts when needed to extrude.

Lid shape

Press 3 to check how it would look when smooth.

Smooth lod finish

Create a cylinder and scale it to look like a bevel and put it on top of the lid. Move the lid and the cylinder to the can base.

Moving lid and cylinder

After moving the object smooth the objects and you have finished the model of the Coke can.

Finishedtop

Full can 1

Congratulations! You have now learned some of the basic functions in Maya and created a Coke can. Hope you found this tutorial helpful!

Here’s the video for reference again.

Learn how to texture the Coke can with our Texturing in Maya Tutorial.

Maya basics tutorial

3D Modeling Tutorials:

Maya Tutorials:

Blender Tutorials:

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