Introduction to Maya for Animators

Practice Essential Animation Exercises With Erik A. Castillo

This introductory workshop is geared towards individuals pursuing a career in CG character animation and those with an interest in the field. The primary objective is to provide you with an introduction to the intricacies of animation using Maya, yet in an easy-to-digest manner.

Taught by Erik A. Castillo, former Animation Artist at DreamWorks, this comprehensive workshop aims to demonstrate that, while Maya may appear daunting at first, with the proper guidance, it can be significantly simplified. Additionally, the workshop aims to impart a methodology for approaching the craft of animation by prioritizing key aspects before progressing to more advanced concepts.

This 3.5-hour video guide encompasses a range of essential exercises, including a bouncing ball and pendulum animation, in addition to introductory lessons covering constraints. Subscribers will also have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the 12 principles of animation, presented using Erik’s easy-to-understand approach.

Upon completion of this workshop, artists will have developed a fundamental proficiency in Maya, accompanied by a refined understanding of the fundamental principles that are integral to animation — primarily with regard to timing and weight. This knowledge will serve as a solid foundation for continued advancement and exploration into more intricate mechanics-driven exercises.

The demonstrations in the workshop utilize ProRigs.