Lee Lanier (2007), Maya: professional tips and techniques, Indianapolis : Wiley
Daniel Gray (2004), Creating striking graphics with Maya and Photoshop San Francisco, Calif. , London : SYBEX
Maya for games modeling and texturing techniques with Maya and Mudbox. [electronic book] = Accessible through library link.
Introduction to Modelling in Maya - DVD, in Staffordshire University Library.
Todd Palamar and Eric Keller (2011), Mastering Maya 2012, Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, 2011

This module is designed to give students a fundamental understanding of the principles and practice of techniques used in CGI.

Students will cover the following topics:

- Producing good photographic reference images, for use as templates or textures
- Use of appropriate image formats in shader networks
- Analysis of photographic reference images for modelling using deconstructive techniques and image based techniques
- Real world lighting solutions for 3D environments
- Lighting setup and systems within Maya
- nCloth and dynamics in Maya
- 3D Modelling techniques for hard surface creation, incorporating polygonal and NURBs
- Referencing of objects external to 3D scene
- Addition of strategic detail in the scene
- Maya to Photoshop integration
- Maya to Mudbox integration
- UV layout and texture mapping techniques
- Use of camera mapping techniques
- Layered textures
- Simulation of age and decay for effect
- Texture tiling
- Shader differences and attributes
- Construction and use of Shader Networks within a model using node techniques
- Use, and creation, of ambient occlusion, bump, normal and displacement maps.
- Management of a complex scene
- Camera attributes and effects
- Use of render passes
- Production render qualities
- Composition of final 3D model with photographic reference using appropriate techniques and software

50% coursework report equivalent to 3000 words demonstrating Learning Outcomes 1, and 3
50% portfolio composed of two practical pieces (50%) assessing learning outcomes 2, 4 and 5

The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures, demonstrations and supervised tutorials in 3 hour periods. The majority of the work will be of a practical nature and students are expected to use their independent study time to consolidate this work.
1:30(3)

Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Mudbox
Autodesk ImageModellor or equivalent
Adobe Photoshop
Autodesk Composite or Adobe After Effects
Digital Academy forum

This module is designed to give students a fundamental understanding of the principles and practice of techniques used in CGI. Students will cover topics such as producing good photographic reference images for use as templates or textures, use of appropriate image formats in shader network, camera attributes and effects, and composition of a final 3D model with photographic reference using appropriate techniques and software.