Cameras Used With Maya Research Paper

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Art -- Graphic Arts

Auto Desk Maya 3D Graphic Camera Functions

3D computer graphics is a key element to animation. Animation is an important type of media that has progressed for approximately a century. Animation is a form of art and media that represents a combination of earlier forms. It is influenced by drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture, for example. Animation is a media form that allows people to explore and express ideas that may be too difficult in a live action version. Animation is a very dynamic space where the producers can create and share places that might only exist in history or in imagination. 3D computer graphics and computer graphics software has played a vital role in development, expansion, and recognition of animation as a valuable art form, worthy of attention and examination. The paper will reflect upon Auto Desk Maya, one of the most significant pieces of computer graphics software in the history of animation, in relation to various cameras that it can be used with.

Auto Desk Maya is a piece of software for 3D computer graphics. Auto Desk Maya is often shortened to just Maya. The name of the software has connections to the Hindu culture, as in Sanskrit, "Maya" is the illusion in Hindu culture. Autodesk, Inc. owns and operates Alias Systems Corporation, the company that originally developed this program. The Walt Disney Feature Animation was additionally in close consultation with those respective companies during Maya's developmental stages. (Evans, 2013)

Maya has a variety of functions and subtleties. Maya is software that is used in the creation process of interactive 3D applications, such as animated featured films, video games, television programming, and visual effects across other forms of media. Maya's first release was in 1998 and the latest version of Maya was released in April 2014. The languages in which Maya was written are C++, Mel, and Python. Maya can be used on the following operating systems: Linux, Mac OS, and Windows. The software is available in just a few languages: English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese. (EDULEARN, 2014)

Maya has been widely used in film and television in American media, as well as in media that is produced and distributed around the world. In fact, it is arguble that the use of Maya is so pervasive in media culture, that this software has influenced the alteration of how people see. The software is not just used for animated or virtual media; it is widely used in live-action media, too. The forms of media that feature the use of and are accentuated by Maya are very popular. Thus the point is not simply that Maya is used frequently, the point is more that Maya is used frequently and it is used on media that is widely, globally consumed. Maya shares some of the global influence of the media on which it is used. 3D computer graphics and 3D computer graphics software are becoming more of a creative and psychological force within the minds ofn consumers around the world. Maya has not only become a powerful force in software, it is additionally one of the leading pieces of software in 3D animation applications.

Maya can be used with static cameras, animated cameras, and stereoscopic cameras. According to the Autodesk, Inc. (2014), there are three kinds of cameras that work best with the programs and that create static & animated scenes. The first kind of camera is the "Basic" camera. It is many used for static scenes. This camera is limited and is for quite basic and simple animations. The camera is also good for camera moves that serve as transitions. The basic camera is also capable of producing movements along a path, so there is some complexity offered. Within Basic camera, there is an option to use "Camera, Aim, and Up." This camera is good for complex animations, far more complex than that of a camera transition.

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(Autodesk, Inc., 2014)

Stereoscopic cameras, another type of camera used in Maya, is a type of camera used with Maya. This camera is a camera that is key to creating the illusion of depth and dimensionality in animation. The stereoscopic camera "renders witht the illusion of a three dimensional depth of field." (Autodesk, Inc., The Art of Maya, 75) Depth of field is key to human vision and key to the production of the moving image, with respect to reality, perspective, and dimensionality. Therefore, this kind of camera is quite useful and critical to the use of Maya and in the production of media enhanced by Maya.

Maya makes it easier for designers to create and execute complex animation tasks at a much quicker rate than to do it by hand or with most other pieces of software. Animators are able to create and produced vast landscapes with rendering in real time. Other groups who use Maya are educators, independent artists (graphic design, installation, filmmakers, etc.), fashion designers, and architects. These groups of Maya users exist as individuals, and groups of people working together as part of organizations and firms.

Another characteristic that sets Maya apart from other software is the focus and attention to the user and the consideration of the user as an artist. "Autodesk Maya is a 3D animation system that addresses the needs of a wide variety of digital content creators. The Maya software tools and techniques have been developed with the artist in mind, while command-based scripting offers ways to build customized tools that suit more integrated production workflows." (Autodesk, The Art of Maya, p. 8) This is a product that prides itself as being for the designer and artist who seeks or has technical mastery as much as creative potency:

"…a 3D artist must learn the basics of setting keyframes, working with 3D geometry and setting up materials and lights for photorealistic rendering. To fully master computer animation, you must have a balance of artistic and technical skills. Not only must you learn how to work with shape, form, motion, color and texture, but also you must learn how the computer interprets all of these elements. While Maya will allow you to go far without understanding all the technical details, you will have greater creative freedom with more knowledge." (Autodesk, The Art of Maya, p. 10)

This quotation both reinforces the idea of the consideration of the Maya user/artist, as well as implies a deeper level of research and consideration for the user as a human being. To be both creatively and technically masterful, one must engage and develop both sides of the brain. Maya is a piece of software that is directly taking the consideration of neuroscience into consideration when imagining the ideal user and the ideal user experience with Maya.

Maya has a creative and a technical side. The creative side of Maya offers you tools that make it easy to work in a 3D world with shape and form. These tools free you up to make creative decisions on your project. The technical side of Maya offers you access to the inside workings of both your scenes and Maya itself. This access makes it possible tobuild your own custom tools and to speed up production where repetitive tasks appear. By having this dual nature, Maya is able to contribute to different stages of a production and to different ways of working. (Autodesk, The Art of Maya, p. 11)

Maya is often praised for the attention paid to streamline workflow. This software in fact offers an entire workflow for the 3D computer graphic process. Users can use Maya at any step of the process with any amount of footage (none to all). Maya is also normatively praised for the interactive qualities on the interface. Maya is hailed for its ability to convey detailed perspective, with close replications to.....

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