Easy 3D Character Modeling in Maya - Part 1 - Body

In this tutorial, I will go over my easy character modeling process in Maya. This episode will focus on the body; feet and hands will be covered in part 2. If you would like to follow along, you can download this Maya project file on my Patreon page. You can support my channel on KZbin or Patreon.
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[@cleodoesstuff8248]

this 20 minute turorial taught me more than my six month university course that was a part of my degree. I'm both incredibly grateful and slightly horrified

[@frensisbasha]

i did a two year course and i can definitely say that every good 3d artist found a way himself to be good and nothing was on the plate for them

[@ray2dasherthedragon336]

That do be how things work sometimes XD

[@notsoseriousmax9966]

honestly same here!

[@rohith_lakkoju2976]

Trueeee bro

[@3DOT3D]

@@frensisbasha I agree with you

[@RanaAli444-A2S]

This is the simplest way for a human body I have seen so far. You are incredibly good.

[@moonchild887]

Thank you so much. This is the best video on modeling a human I've seen so far. I remember watching this video and following through when I modeled my very first character. And 1 month later, here I am rewatching this while modeling my 2nd character. This video is so good and straightforward, don't have to skip a single second. Incredible. Good job!!!

[@Kaylin9087]

I completely agree, I'm still watching this for the first time while writing this, and all I can think is "WHY DIDN'T DESIGN SCHOOL TEACH ME ANY OF THIS"

[@moonchild887]

​@@Kaylin9087 Same, I'm currently going to art school and we were just taught how to extract, scale, insert edge loop and basic stuff like that. And when we modeled and rigged characters to animate, because of the unorganized polygons on the model, something would always go wrong with the animating part. I stumbled upon this tutorial, it taught me everything from scratch, and I don't regret watching it at all. The tutorial is incredibly well-made, and I was especially impressed with the part where he showed how to get the armpit right. And the best part is this video isn't like an hour long tutorial. It's quick and straightforward. Definitetly deserves more views. I'm not the type to comment on videos but this one really deserved it.

[@chandanachandekar]

Can you tell how to get that refrence images

[@happilyeveralien]

I’m only halfway through and this is such a good tutorial! Get me excited to try modeling my own. Love the soft music too, gives a calming vibe.

[@Escapestarlight]

I am so grateful for this tutorial. I've been particularly stuck on how to handle the shoulder/armpit area for ages and you broke it down in a way that finally made it click for me! I just did a test rig to see how it bends and it's already a vast improvement over my previous attempts. Thanks so much for your work with this tutorial 👍

[@AlexCheparev]

Glad it helped you :)

[@MrJals11]

OMG thank you so much for this. I'm currently going a video game program and I passed 3D modeling a couple years back so I didn't have to do any during first semester but now I actually need it for the 2nd semester and I was so rusty. This video helped me alot to get back on track, thanks alot!

[@yvonnesterling3163]

wow, this tutorial is amazing! I'm so glad I found it. It's easy to understand, straight to the point, and you give excellent pointers. I took 3D art classes in college and not ocne did they tell me to make squares during low poly to make sure the mesh doesn't skew when you smooth it. Thank you for making this.

[@mcandler_the_unscottish]

Nice. I am modeling my cartoon character in Blender. I just needed a simple workflow for the body and this is perfect. I know the tools in Blender so following you to achieve the same result was easy. Thank you.

[@carlosclarke7200]

I have never modeled a full character. I believe you tutorials are going to help me to complete that and take me a very far way in modeling.

[@HenryCurrie-q2e]

Followed this as a complete newby while using chatgpt to quickly find out the shortcuts and workflow that you were doing. Damn I learnt a lot in just 20 minutes. Fantastic tutorial

[@ArtsyAustin]

Thank you so much for this FREE tutorial! Thank you for taking the time to make an easy to understand and in-depth demonstration. More power to you! 🙌🙌🙌

[@Yazuria_]

You're amazing at explaining what seems to be difficult! I've stumbled on this video to resolve some topology issues because I always have trouble with modeling organic in maya, this helps so much!! Will def be following

[@YolandaVisser-em6yw]

Excellend tutorial. This has been so helpful and taught me so much. Your process is amazing and the way you explain everything is super helpful. Would love to see your tuturial of hair.

[@pdp_gp]

Hello, Alex. Thank you so much for the tutorial and time you spent creating it. With your help I could successfully finish the 1st part, now moving onto the second. Thank you a lot one more time!

[@enoki_mushroom9949]

Thank you for this tutorial! Very helpful and you explain things in a way thats makes it understandable and easy to follow

[@Scarfed.]

I do thank you for the tutorials! I'm just starting my college course and this is the best that I've ever been explained towards first using Maya.. except from im stuck in bean mode and don't know the button to go back Edit: nevermind I just looked up maya shortcuts

[@chaosfeeder]

my man! thank you. moving from Blender to maya and this helped with shortcuts.

[@zallan8737]

Nice to see you uploading again :)

[@lordaromat3890]

this is way better than my college no cap

[@tahmidtanvir7756]

This is soo good man. Easy to understand

[@theemmisaryfrombeyond2322]

One thing that tripped me up is when you said to subdivide. I didn't realize there were two ways to do that, so rather than click smooth, I'd hit subdivide and my person would look blocky. Other than that this has been great!

[@sedaterol4129]

you are amazing dude, keep doing this and upload more

[@伊蕾娜-x8x]

This 20 minute learnt is way better than spending fkin time in college and money

[@Zaho_art]

You are a legend

[@faritalent4457]

Thank you for your valuable work 🙏🥰

[@RuthlessRitwik]

You make it look so easy

[@BirdKun-yw3ve]

i came here from Mustafa alhm channel, he recommended your channel :)

[@Xerodude]

Great video, easy to work along with!

[@shareonpointconsulting1245]

well done great video 😃

[@CaliiAnimations]

Here cuz I gotta learn to do this next year for uni :0

[@Someonewholyingonabed]

extremely hard than i think that's need 2 months for success for one

[@christiannemaries.rosales4583]

Amazing! Thank you, Alex :)

[@favyijomah1889]

This is amazing

[@tomasla9345]

nice workflow!

[@carlosclarke7200]

I love that use of transparent image in maya. I have watch another tutorial on you tube but I am so not getting it. Can you do a short tutorial on how you did it? Thanks in advance.

[@dragonfire810]

Can you please design a Knucker Dragon model

[@OrangeGenerator]

This is great.

[@BazigarPanda]

CAN YOU PLEASE LINK THE REFERENCE IMAGE USED

[@solene_allain_]

This tutorial is very interesting, thank you, I would like to practice doing this tutorial again, would it be possible to have the reference images of the characters in jpeg? THANKS

[@AlexCheparev]

Check the description

[@ZeevFaber18]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@Ammir_koudia]

Thank you

[@abbigailllanas4975]

Thank you!

[@madceee]

thank you man 👍

[@QwecySlim]

Thanks for this

[@Skreyts]

Спасибо, очень круто 👍🏻

[@dylanoconnell9681]

How do you get the subdivisions to move individually like that without skewing the whole shape? (6:17)

[@brendanmclaughlin1805]

I'm a little late, but double click your scale tool and change the axis orientation to object then create the subdivisions

[@dylanoconnell9681]

All good! Thanks for the help man great videos too as a beginner they’re much appreciated🙏

[@dionfatah1554]

Thankyou

[@yordlecafeinoso]

Inglish is not my first lenguaje but you explain this so perfect, i don't need te subtitles for understand you. I have just one problem, the mesh remains visible in the model even if I don't select it, I hope you can answer 😅 please.

[@AnimeFusion-sl2qs]

how did you subdivide with the icon tool i don't have it up there and cant seem to find it to create same result. i did modify/preview smooth mesh to poly but that doesn't let me switch between hard and smooth keys after that.

[@ombhosle2566]

So how you did it ??

[@GribGFX]

@@ombhosle2566 It's in Mesh>Smooth

[@igdeku77]

when i sub divide my model looks weird i need help

[@MarganiOmer-n9u]

Question about the arm extrusion how did you extrude them outwards and downwards right away?

[@atharvashukla4799]

did you do it i am having the same problem

[@brendanmclaughlin1805]

@@atharvashukla4799 After clicking the extrude button (or using ctrl+e) make sure your move tool is selected (w) click and hold on the centre box with your MIDDLE mouse NOT on the arrows, and drag to the desired location

[@loftt_01]

im confused on this too

[@brendanmclaughlin1805]

Watched the whole thing even though I am a total beginner. Made a small bedroom, a guitar and a bob-omb so far. Got stuck at the very first point in your video. You create a cube and change the pivot point but when you scale the cube it scales symmetrically and centred at the world origin. When I scale it, it scales relative to the pivot point on whatever vertex I snap it toI tried googling and asking Chatgpt and it just tells me to use the channel box editor to set it manually or use a python script which doesn't even set the pivot correctly... EDIT: After multiple python scripts and asking ChatGPT the same question 4 different ways it has told me to temporarily group the cube, which changes the scale point to centre. Is this what you failed to mention or is there another setting you have changed to do this? EDIT2: Just noticed you did not create a group because it doesn't show in the Outliner. I'm tearing my beard out

[@AlexCheparev]

When I moved the pivot, I hold D (to move pivot) and V (to snap to vertex) and select the GREEN arrow only. This will snap pivot to the bottom of the cube but also keeps it centered in Z and X directions.

[@brendanmclaughlin1805]

@@AlexCheparev NO WAYYY!!! I feel so stupid! You absolute legend! Not only did you reply, but you replied immediately! Thank you so much dude.

[@zaibisstsucuk9649]

Hey is it possible if you have a finished character in maya to move it to unreal engine?

[@AlexCheparev]

Yes, we do it all the time

[@FunnyGamerAkash24]

Please please i need this model reference image sir .. please

[@ariawitch2962]

How did you unsmooth it back? 😢

[@AlexCheparev]

3 for smooth preview, 1 to unsmooth. CTRL+Z if that doesn't work.

[@saranvenkateshd2371]

Hey can you tell me where is Subdivide tool in MAYA 24 version

[@AnimeFusion-sl2qs]

did you find this tool im having same issue replicating what he did towards end with subdivide.

[@GribGFX]

​@@AnimeFusion-sl2qs It's in Mesh>Smooth

[@kathrynclairebungay]

How do I get the tools like loop tool and subdivision tool to show up on the poly modeling tool bar?

[@AlexCheparev]

Hold CRTL+SHIFT while left clicking on a tool from a menu.

[@RephielJahzielEdillonSandoval]

Hello, Im a animation student and I was wondering how did you curve the extrude tool on making the arms and legs. when I try to extrude it its just going straight but not bending seamlessly just like you did. I hope someone can explain as im stuck on that part and want to implement this kind of workflow

[@isaaccontrerassolis5430]

Are you extruding with Shift + dragging the extrude from the center pivot like in the video?

[@saramajzoobi6780]

Hi. Where can we download the sample from? I searched everywhere but couldn't find any😭

[@AlexCheparev]

You can download it on my Patreon page, link in the description.

[@masteredautononomus_fighter]

@@AlexCheparev can u please put a link for the imagine below without the pateron just a copy of it without the 7 file thing I need to do this project for my class come on help me out

[@harshchogle3928]

if we make character with this method then can we rig this character for animation or its only for show models???

[@AlexCheparev]

This model is great for rigging

[@harshchogle3928]

@@AlexCheparev thanks!! this video is very easy but your face modelling is hard tho🤕

[@albatross22433]

how to get the duplicate layer outside the group?

[@chetanat6810]

2:08 self ref

[@joelespinoza9273]

Hello friend! I press key 3 to make it more round as you did, but I'd like to revert that, what key should I press? Thank you!!

[@AlexCheparev]

Press 1

[@joelespinoza9273]

@@AlexCheparev Thanks for your quick response!!!

[@Bantu4ever]

is the subdivide button no longer a thing?

[@AlexCheparev]

They renamed it to "Smooth"

[@NickEnchev]

Would you take this mesh into something like ZBrush, keep it as your lowest division level, and sculpt on it after dividing?

[@AlexCheparev]

Yes, definitely.

[@kathrynclairebungay]

I cant seem to find the subdivision tool. Sorry its my first time using maya

[@AlexCheparev]

Mesh menu > Smooth

[@oval0el]

Is it important that our model roughly follows our reference in both smoothed and hardened settings? I am making a character with lots of curves, and to follow my reference and make her accurate in the smoothened setting the hard mode looks very exaggerated. Does it matter, is there a way to fix that?

[@oxicemusic]

I really wanna get used to mayas navigation and ui, but damn it just doesnt make sense to me rn

[@AlexCheparev]

Most applications use Maya’s navigation style as well. Get used to it!

[@luizcarlosjunior4092]

Very TOP

[@queenpath99]

How do you subdivide?

[@marbles2468]

To subdivide permanently you press that orange cube on the menu bar that has slanted edges. To have a non permanent one you press the keys 1, for poly modeling which is always on, 2 to view the wireframe for both, and 3 for the subdivided model. These aren’t permanent and you can go back and forth

[@arem4234]

How do you go back to square view after you smoothen it up?

[@AlexCheparev]

3 to smooth, 1 to unsmooth.

[@likith791]

Where i can get reference image. It ll be helpful if i get that .

[@AlexCheparev]

Check the description

[@natashageorginacarrilloalv2811]

Hola, mucho gusto. Me explico mejor en español, así que lo escribiré en este idioma, espero que les sirva. Si van a modelar para riggear después, les recomiendo hacer 3 divisiones (2 extrusiones aparte del original) en las articulaciones para que sea más difícil que se rompa el modelo. Me lo han enseñado así y me ha funcionado

[@thepaddyladdy]

I keep getting extra lines/boxes when I try to shape the torso after subdividing the cube. Does anyone what how to fix that? Edit: I figured it out! I was selecting more faces than I realised because I was in front view! I feel stupid 😂😂😂

[@Astronommyy]

where can i get the image plan blud, what is the keyword

[@AlexCheparev]

Download the project on my patreon page, link in the description.

[@Astronommyy]

@@AlexCheparev okayyy capt thank you so much, this helped me fr

[@deepjitpaul2907]

Where get the reference image

[@AlexCheparev]

Check the Description

[@jackni2435]

Hi, what’s shortcut key that you used to make all future changes symmetrical?

[@AlexCheparev]

Go to 6:18, i explain it there kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5yVgHuimNyIi5I

[@jackni2435]

@@AlexCheparevthank you so much

[@TheJescars]

How can we find this picture of model

[@AlexCheparev]

Check the description

[@gargeebhattacharjee5208]

From where I can download the image

[@AlexCheparev]

Check the link in the description.

[@iSandMan89]

how is is selecing 2 vertics before symmetrying?

[@AlexCheparev]

At what time?

[@BazigarPanda]

CAN YOU PLEASEE LINK THE REFERENCE IMAGE USED

[@AlexCheparev]

Check the description. You can download the whole project on my Patreon page.

[@ehisdavid9692]

@@AlexCheparev Its not opening at the moment

[@Barjazin]

Hi Alex. Is it possible to download your reference image ? I always learn so much with your tutorials.

[@AlexCheparev]

I’ll add a link

[@Barjazin]

@@AlexCheparev 👍🏻❤️

[@AlexCheparev]

@@Barjazin Link to download in the description.

[@SintelMK]

or search in google you will find thousand of images

[@ashutoshchavan6115]

@@AlexCheparev bro where is link i m still waiting

[@nuwanjvn5124]

reference image please 🤔

[@AlexCheparev]

Check the parteon link in the description.

[@meowzers420]

hi, im a college student begginer to maya, how do i know ive exausted a shape?

[@Franco-sz6zs]

Bro you make it look too easy 🙏

[@khaotixy]

15:18

[@psycho417]

Guys can someone tell where I will find pictures like the he used? 🆘

[@AlexCheparev]

Check the link in the description. All available to download on my patreon page. You don’t have to be a patron to download.

[@fodafunyo2641]

You are saying what to do but not showing how to do it.

[@antarasengupta9000]

hi, i really liked your explaination on this character model 😍. can you tell me how should i start making a character of my own in maya, please? do i necessarily need model sheets for reference or if not then how can i go about the modeling process? 😀

[@gx_wildfire9291]

I think its just a lot easier to have reference sheets, not necessary but extremely helpful

[@AINEWMM]

[@blagojapetrusevski3502]

Maya is more easy from Zbrush

[@rklover13]

I'd love it if I had the option to even subdivide in Maya. DX This program is so unintuitive.

[@seezymount]

thank you!