Maya Indie - global license is here

Maya Indie license - globally available from 7th August 2020!

Here is an example of Germany link

https://commerce.autodesk.com/de-DE/indie-cart?plc=MAYAIU

Alternalively use this main link:

https://makeanything.autodesk.com/maya-indie

FORGERAPP - nice app for 3d sculpting on iPhone / iPad

 I`m not a modeller, but rigging is very close so this was interesting to see and some cool results from people using this FORGER App.
This demo was done by Alex Huguet. 
The application website:
https://forgerapp.com

Windows 10 files sharing

Sometimes this can be a challenge, how to easily share files with Windows 10 between PC computers on a local network.

Recently HOMEGROUP sharing system was removed and here is few tips about current way of sharing files and folders:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027674/windows-10-share-files-in-file-explorer

Skype login problem on Windows 10

Recently I had some problem with signing in to Skype on Windows10. Here is a way to solve the problem, it worked for me.
Basically you make sure first Skype is not running (exit app, remove from Start apps list, restart PC). Then this tutorial will guide you how to disable or delete your user cache saved in Skype app folder. There is some bug with not deleting some lock file, so you get rid of it this way. Then Skype starts clean from scratch. More on thi link:
https://www.kunal-chowdhury.com/2013/04/solution-unable-to-open-skype.html

Qt Creator IDE - Qt Designer for Windows

In case you need to use Qt Designer for Windows and you just use it occasionaly or cannot invest too much, you can use Open Source version. This can be downloaded from here (choose OpenSource):
https://info.qt.io/download-qt-for-application-development
or here:
http://download.cnet.com/Qt-Creator-IDE/3000-2212_4-75300653.html
Then if you are just starting to learn this tool and Design tab is greyed out, make sure that you select the *.ui file from the files dropdown in Edit mode, usualy its mainwindow.ui. Then the Design mode should become active and you can start easy visual creation of the GUI.

Eclipse installation

For users of Eclipse or those who are thinking about using Eclipse. I just tested new Eclipse installer and it just works great. No Error Code 13 and such things with Java. Saying that I had JVM (Java Virtual Machine) already installed. But this is the most simple installation. Tested on Windows 7 64 bit. Just follow this link:
https://wiki.eclipse.org/Eclipse/Installation

For those programming with Python choose C/C++ build and then once running Eclipse, go to Help / Install New Software to add PyDev extension. More about that here:
http://www.pydev.org/download.html
 

Printing 3D toys at home

Looks like this is where future of toys could go to. Just download the design documents of toy, modify and print for your kids (in chosen colors etc.).
http://www.123dapp.com/tinkerplay

Sorting Maya 2016 open GL artifacts

I had a strange artifacts when working in the Maya 2016 open GL model window. Also the Isolate mode didn`t work properly and I couldn`t see the joints there.
I found that it was caused by having Viewport 2.0 as new default settings in Maya 2016. If you are technical artist, then watch out for this one. I switched to Legacy Default Viewport and everything was fine.

Autodesk Maya service packs

Handy link for latest Maya Service Pack downloads:
http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/maya/downloads

Maya’s Deformer Architecture - Around the Corner

Nice article giving some insight to the Maya deformer mechanism. Good if you are interested in using custom deformers or want to develop your own.



Maya’s Deformer Architecture - Around the Corner:



'via Blog this'

Next Generation of NVIDIA’s GPU - self driving cars

NVidia and Self-Driving Cars - very interesting.

Maya architecture overview

This is where I found that Maya has over 600 commands and 900 nodes.

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/Maya-SDK/files/GUID-F584322E-4A12-4995-9F4E-A38D4331808F-htm.html

I know lot of people are making function that are not needed, because there is already some command or flag, which can deal with it. Similar with API classes. It is really worth reading Maya docs, searching for a suitable command or googling it or wondering there and often something usefull can be found. Because lot of these "gems" are not advertised at all. But it has a lot of potential.

PyQt for Maya on Windows platform

this definitely helped me to get PyQt working in Maya on Windows

http://nathanhorne.com/?p=460&cpage=1#comment-3027

Mainly people just need to run PyQt within Maya to build and use their UIs. These can be made previously in other enviornments, usually with Qt Designer or just coded.

Maya 2016: Delta Mush Deformer

Kudos to Autodesk for getting this in Maya!

Maya 2016 - parallel rig evaluation

Autodesk is adding new feature to 2016 and as a rigger I am quite excited to hear about it - Paraller Rig Evaluation (I think they mean Multi-Threaded?) and also GPU support. Since the performance of complex rigs is usual problem, this would help a LOT in production.

maya shrink wrap deformer

Just had a look at Maya 2015 and found this nice new deformer, actually it's been a while since Autodesk added a deformer. Shrink wrap seems like a nice and probably stable slide deformer type with many options. Have fun!

Lego the Movie FxGuide documentary

Here is FxGuide.com document about Lego the Movie. Pretty good coverage of all things CG society would like to know: depth of field, camera moves, animation restrictions, render software for lot of raytracing, modelling process, atmosphere etc.

(you need to follow the link and watch it on vimeo.com, or on AnimalLogic website)


FX GUIDE EP 186 THE LEGO MOVIE from Animal Logic on Vimeo.

Autodesk Maya on per-month rental

Maya for 281 Euro, not bad. Autodesk has introduced their software rental plans and affordable software license deals.

LINK

MoDo in 3d animation pipeline - case study

Heh, great evolution of a studio pipeline :)

Courtesy of 3d packages Lightwave, Modo and Maya from presentation by belgian studio Creative Conspiracy.
I personally got more interested in the rigging abilities of MoDo after looking at some tutorials from Brian Tindall. Watch the full video to see interesting case study 3d animation pipeline of a commercials/TV animation studio.


Creative Conspiracy's use of MODO on Uki & De Lijn ‘Ants’ from The Foundry on Vimeo.

Fabric Engine first deformer tutorial

Here is nice demo of making a simple deformer in Maya using Fabric Engine


Splice Deforms: 01 - Wave Deformer from Fabric Engine on Vimeo.