Introduction

In this lesson, you model a helmet for an interactive game character, using polygonal surface modeling techniques. You’ll be introduced to some of the polygon modeling tools Maya provides by learning how to:

• Use 2D image planes as a reference for constructing 3D models
• Use 3D primitives as the basis for creating more complex models
• Work with the components of a polygon mesh (faces, edges, and vertices)
• Smooth a polygon mesh
• Select the faces, edges, and vertices of polygonal meshes
• Create polygon faces by placing vertices
• Scale and extrude faces on a polygon mesh
• Move and rotate extruded polygonal meshes
• Split vertices and subdivide polygonal faces
• Combine separate meshes into one mesh
• Bridge between meshes
• Add faces to an existing mesh
• Use Snap to Grid
• Preview a smoothed high resolution version of a polygon mesh
• Harden and soften polygon edges