In this tutorial, you will learn the basics of Maya by modeling a Coke can.
Go through the steps in the tutorial below or refer to the following video to learn the basics of Maya.
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.
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.
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.
To make the layer an unselectable layer click on the 3rd option that will be a blank box until it displays as R.
Create a cylinder and scale it such that it fits the image of the Coke 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.
Create a few subdivisions by holding shift+right click and selecting insert edge loop
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.
Select the vertices and shape them by using the uniform scale function (by pressing R).
Select the side faces at the top of the can and extrude it outwards (ctrl+E) to create the rim.
Create subdivisions at the bottom of the cylinder using ‘multicut’ and shape it to look similar to the reference image.
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.
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.
Use ‘multicut’ and cut around the shape at the top of the can.
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.
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.
Select all the faces and uniform scale it inward while holding shift to get the rim of the dip and shape it.
Select the other edge of the dip and extrude it upwards 3 times to lock the shape.
Do the same to create the dip at the top and press 3 to check how it looks when smooth.
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.
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.
Shape it to look like the lid and delete the polygons in the center to form the hole.
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.
Create the lid shape and add multcuts when needed to extrude.
Press 3 to check how it would look when smooth.
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.
After moving the object smooth the objects and you have finished the model of the Coke can.
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.
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