This is a true beginner’s book and it gets into every little nook & cranny you’d want to learn. This also covers organic modeling for creatures, lighting, rendering, complex textures, and even some basic animation. This is very helpful just so you understand why Maya is so popular and what it can do.Įarly chapters talk about modeling and setting up scenery for a mock video game. The author Adam Watkins teaches you all about the interface and the various tools you can use in Maya. If you’re a complete beginner having never used Maya before in your life then pick up a copy of Getting Started in 3D with Maya. These cover everything about Maya and you can test ’em out with a free trial account.

Note: If you’re more of a visual learner check out Pluralsight’s Maya video courses.

No matter what you want to learn or your skill level there’s something in this list for you. That’s why I’ve curated the best books on learning Maya ranging from novice resources to more advanced titles. This is used with pretty much all production pipelines from 3D animated films to simpler 2D animations like South Park.īut aside from animation it’s common for concept artists to learn Maya since it’s a huge part of video game development. The 3D design software Maya is a must-learn program for entertainment artists. That means if you buy something we get a small commission at no extra cost to you( learn more) Resources 3D Books Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Maya modelling