Help with Maya

posted on October 11th, 2011, 1:23 am

So I know this isn't the best place to ask, I should probably be looking at Maya websites but so far I've found a lot of dead links and cluttered sites.  Much like the program itself.

I'm trying to get started with basic modeling, practicing with the D'Deridex.  I figured out pretty fast that this is one of the hardest ships to model in all of Star Trek as there are no clear geometric shapes, not to mention the fact that it forms a loop.

My only previous experience is with Solidworks, a program that I figured out pretty easily.  I already know the tools that I want to use, the only problem is I can't seem to find them in Maya.  I know from the Centaur time-lapse that they're there.  If anybody can point me in the right direction, I'd be very grateful.

How do you cut an object?  The standard way I learned to model is to make an approximation, then cut it in half and add detail to one side, then duplicate it over the middle to create a symmetrical design.  But for the life of me, I can't find the stupid cut command.  The separate command tells me that "there is only one object" so it can't separate anything.  Then the split tool allows me to make new lines between vertices, but it refuses to actually cut the object even when it says "cut" in the description.

Come to think of it, this is the only real problem I'm having.  Once I figure out how to cut objects along lines, I already know how to champfer and extrude and I can figure out curves again.  It's just so frustrating to get hung up on such a small thing.

posted on October 11th, 2011, 1:32 am

If I remember correctly, to cut a model in half you should just be able to box-select vertices and then tap delete.

posted on October 11th, 2011, 3:17 am

Actualy to delete half a model, you have to right clik, then slect Vertex, the go to the vertex menu at the top i think the find delete slecected edge/verteces (you can not use norm dlete, the program protects against dleteing edges with complex edge attachment) i think thats how you do it........

To cut a face how ever, slect the polygon tool set, same pannel you use to create new objects, along the panel you find such tols as, extrude, smothe, increase polycount and also cut face....

posted on October 11th, 2011, 3:35 am

Edit Mesh > Insert Edge Loop or Split Polygon Tool
Mesh > Mirror Geometry
Mesh > Extract (witch faces selected that you want to separate)

These three commands should help out for that.

posted on October 11th, 2011, 5:39 am

Okay, the extract command seemed to work.  Still, I'm having trouble adding new vertexes in order to move the model into shape.  The Split tool is almost helpful, but it has a HUGE snap distance that refuses to let me cut the model the way I want to.  Is there some secret or trick to getting a perfect horizontal line across an unusual shape when I don't trust my hand and the program insists on snapping the line almost an inch away from where I want it?