Chapter 3. NURBS Modeling in Maya

Creating 3D models in computer graphics is an art form and a discipline unto itself. It takes years to master and requires an understanding of form, composition, anatomy, mechanics, gesture, and so on. It's an addictive art that never stops evolving. This chapter and Chapter 4 will introduce you to the different ways the tools in Maya can be applied to various modeling tasks. With a firm understanding of how the tools work, you can master the art of creating 3D models.

Together, Chapters 3 and 4 demonstrate various techniques for modeling with NURBS, polygons, and subdivision surfaces to create a single model of a space suit. Chapter 3 begins with using NURBS surfaces to create a detailed helmet for the space suit.