Hard Surface Modeling for Production

Taught by adam dewhirst
Duration:
7 hours 42 minutes
Software Version:
2025 
Launch Date:
December 2024 
Course Number:
MYA232
3D
This Maya hard surface modeling course focuses on creating a detailed spider tank. Members will learn essential techniques for modeling complex mechanical structures, including hard surface modeling workflows, precision detailing, and creating clean topology. The course covers everything from initial concept to final model, guiding participants through the entire process of constructing the Spider Tank, including joints, paneling, and detailed internal structures. Ideal for those looking to enhance their skills in 3D modeling, this course offers hands-on experience and practical insights into producing professional-quality hard surface models in Autodesk Maya.

The course is taught by Adam Dewhirst, a lead modeller at ILM London with 18 years of experience in the industry. Formerly the Head of Assets at UNIT TV & Film and The Mill, his diverse portfolio includes work in commercials, film, games, and TV, with credits on projects like Tenet, Guardians of the Galaxy, Audi, Nike, and the BBC campaigns. He has also produced video tutorials on low-poly design and character modelling, featuring his work in various publications.
 

Class Listing

Class 1: Preparation and Gathering Resources

A look at organizing and sourcing our reference. Preparing a suitable piece of concept art, and generating a library of kitbash geometry parts in Maya that we will use throughout the build.

Class 2: Scale

You will learn the fundamentals of blocking out the scale for a Spider Tank hard surface model in Maya. We'll focus on establishing proportions, setting up primary shapes, and organizing your model's foundation to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the subsequent detailing phases. Perfect for beginners and intermediate modelers.

Class 3: Modelling the Legs, Part 1

A focus on modeling the main legs of the spider tank, we will start from the base of the leg outwards working on the main panel sections and adding kitbash to flesh out the mechanics.

Class 4: Modelling the Legs, Part 2

Continuing on from the previous class, we complete the legs working down from the knee joint to the feet, adapting our design as we go, and determining the function and range of motion of each joint.

Class 5: Main Body

We build the main central body of the spider tank model, referring back to our reference to design the joint housing and connect all six legs up to a single central piece.

Class 6: Gun Turret

We build the upper gun turret and take an in-depth look at how to approach a complete paneled section, similar to how car panel bodywork is constructed.

Class 7: Weaponry

A focus on creating the main cannons and weaponry of the spider tank, and begin to look at some of the details and how the smaller parts are housed within the mechanics.

Class 8: Details

Finishing the details we started to place in the previous lesson, establishing scale landmarks such as hand holds and hatches, and adds in many more cables and finer details that we will use to finish up the design.

Class 9: UVs

This class will cover Mapping and Layout of the UV's for the most optimal texel density and texture detail for the model using industry production standards used for hard surface models.

Class 10

The course ends by examining how to create a basic dynamic pose, as well as creating possible variants you might be asked to produce such as "damage". We also look at creating a basic ambient occlusion render for presentation.