Flying butterfly animation Tutorial for beginners

Written by zelal Monday, 25 Category Autodesk Maya - Animation, Materials, textures and Modeling February 2008

In this tutorial, we will make a simple butterfly and animate it.

Figure 1. Click here to view larger image.

Step 1 Start Maya. Go to Side view. Select EP Curve tool.

Figure 2. Click here to view larger image.

Step 2 Draw a profile curve for the main body of butterfly.

Figure 3. Click here to view larger image.

Step 3 Right-click on the Curve and select Vertex mode.

Figure 4. Click here to view larger image.

Step 4 Refine the shape by moving vertices using move tool.

Figure 5. Click here to view larger image.

Step 5 Make sure Surfeces menu-set is selected (F4 is shortcut for Surface menuset). While the curve is still selected, go to Surfaces > Revolve.

Figure 6. Click here to view larger image. Step 6 You will get the geometry for the main body like below.

Figure 7. Click here to view larger image. Step 7 Again using EP Curve tool, draw the shape for right-wing.

Figure 8. Click here to view larger image. Step 8 Choose Edit Curves > Open/Close Curves to close the curve.

Step 9 Click Surfaces > Planar.

Figure 10. Click here to view larger image.

Step 10 You will have a wing geometry as below.

Figure 9. Click here to view larger image.