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Introduction to Maya 2026: Volume 2

Beginner’s Guide to Modeling & Animation Workflows with Eric Keller

Lessons

Description

Introduction to Maya 2026: Volume 2 continues Eric Keller’s series with a deeper dive into how Maya works from a beginner level. Over 25 lessons, Eric explores the concepts of construction history and the difference between transform and shape nodes, aiming to get artists grounded in the Maya toolkit by building a solid understanding of the core tools in this powerful software. Eric provides tips and demonstrations to guide artists through every step, building confidence lesson by lesson. 


Volume 2 begins with lessons on customizing the Maya interface to match your working style. Artists will learn to create custom hotkeys, shelf buttons, and marking menus before taking a close look at the modeling toolkit, which is the heart of polygon modeling in Maya. Eric demonstrates how to set up image planes and then walks through building a model, exploring some of Maya’s more advanced tools and workflows. Learn the difference between polygons and NURBS surfaces, how to use curves, and how to master Maya’s new remeshing and retopology tools. The second volume concludes with an overview of deformers, weight painting, and the all-important basics of creating animation rigs in Maya. 


The variety of projects demonstrated makes Eric’s lessons engaging and reinforces fundamental concepts. Eric has provided project files that artists can use to follow along with the lessons. Simply use the included scene files for practice as you develop your skill set in line with entertainment-industry standards.


Be sure to watch Introduction to Maya 2026: Volume 1 for a comprehensive guide featuring 20 in-depth lessons that walk artists through the Maya interface and navigation, and detail the essential editors required to build professional-looking 3D models and scenes.


Duration: 5h 26m

Format: HD 1920x1080

Lessons

Eric Keller

CG artist

Eric Keller is a veteran Freelance CG artist with over twenty-five years of experience creating models for feature films, episodic TV, scientific visualization, planetarium shows, VR, AR, 3D printing, and jewelry design. Eric has worked as a visual effects artist on commercials, television, games, and feature films for decades, with credits including John Wick: Chapter 4, Predator: Badlands, Aquaman, and The Haunting of Hill House.


Eric has also taught at Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Games, and Animation, covering Maya and ZBrush, and has written highly rated books and tutorials on both programs. His instructional work has appeared in leading industry publications such as 3D World, and he has been invited as a guest lecturer at Harvard Medical School, sharing his expertise on 3D modeling and visualization techniques.

  • "Eric Keller is an Invertebrate lover, an animator, an author, ,artist, and the list goes on! His knowledge of all aspects of 3D and his love of the natural world has in my mind made him one of the go to guys in the industry. His passion is what makes him one of the best authors and teachers out there! Eric approaches his work seriously but with a sense of humor and a zest for knowledge. I am constantly surprised and inspired by Eric's ability to make any topic interesting and fun. His new tutorial will definitely be one I will watch over and over! "

    - Mark Dedecker
    Asset lead at Deluxe Entertainment

  • "Eric Keller is a Renaissance man. By combining his artists eye, his passion for natural science, and his skill as a teacher he has brought this fantastic tutorial to life! Eric easily shifts from exceptional sculpting, to finessing the intricacies of Vray and Maya, to explaining the nuances of the Arthropoda Insecta Hymenoptera. Its that kind of attention to detail that makes great artists freakin amazing. I am constantly in awe of Eric's breadth of knowledge and skill. We are all fortunate he has chosen to share some of that in this tutorial! "

    - Scott Spencer
    Weta Workshop NZ

  • Eric is a master ZBrush artist. Anyone who wants to know ZBrush in depth should have a go at this tutorial! For an in-depth understanding of ZBrush, look no further than Eric's amazing works: I just wish I could Crtl+C, Crtl+V what Eric knows directly into my brain!

    - Jared Krichevsky
    Freelance Concept Artist

  • Eric is an invertebrate lover, animator, author, artist, and more! His knowledge of all aspects of 3D and his love of the natural world has made him one of the go to guys in the industry. His passion is what makes him one of the best authors and teachers around. Eric approaches his work seriously but with a sense of humor and a zest for knowledge. I am constantly inspired by Eric's ability to make any topic interesting and fun.

    - Mark DeDecker
    Senior Character Artist at Dreamscape Learn

  • Eric is a Renaissance man. By combining his artists eye, his passion for natural science, and his skill as a teacher, he has brought this fantastic tutorial to life! Eric easily shifts from exceptional sculpting, to finessing the intricacies of V-Ray and Maya, to explaining the nuances of the Arthropoda Insecta Hymenoptera. I am constantly in awe of Eric's breadth of knowledge and skill. We are all fortunate he has chosen to share some of that in this tutorial.

    - Madeleine Scott-Spencer
    Immersive Creative Director / Group Head of Builds and Visual Development LDN/MTL/TRX at Cinesite

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