Introduction to Maya and 3D Animation

This 4-day course will introduce students to Autodesk Maya and the Animation Toolkit.

Online
23.02.2026 - 04.02.2026
Tutor
Jahirul Amin
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Learn how to use Autodesk Maya for 3D Animation

The course will be split into 4 sessions:

Day 01: Maya Introduction

  • Maya UI and Navigation
  • Project Files, Saving and Loading Scenes
  • Transformation Tools
  • The Outliner / Channel Box / Attribute Editor
  • Pivot Points, Rotation Order and Gimbal Lock
  • Object v Component Mode
  • Parent / Child Relationships and Constraints
  • Cameras and Lenses in CG

Day 02: Animation Tools in Maya

  • The Maya Timeline
  • Setting Keyframes in Maya
  • Animation Tangents in Maya
  • Introduction to the Graph Editor
  • Modifying Animation Curves
  • The Dopesheet
  • Motion Trails and Ghosting
  • Introduction to TweenMachine

Day 03: Working with Character Rigs

  • Playblasting
  • FK v IK
  • Introduction to Biped Rigs
  • Introduction to Face Rigs
  • Image Planes for Animation Reference
  • Selection Sets and Character Pickers
  • Animation Layers
  • Blocking an Animation
  • Blocking to Spline Workflows

Day 04 (Exercise): Animating a Walk Cycle in Maya

  • For this exercise, we’ll be creating a loopable animation walk cycle.
  • Following on from this, we would catch up via Zoom/SyncSketch.
  • Students will be expected to upload a multi-camera playblast of a looped walk cycle.

Course Details

  • Type: In-person
  • Level: Beginner
  • Number of Seats: 10
  • Duration: 4 days
  • Lessons: 4
  • Format: LIVE sessions
  • Tools: Autodesk Maya

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Lessons in this course

  • Day 01: Introduction to Maya

    In this lesson, we'll jump into Autodesk Maya and explore the UI, how to navigate, load and save files, and manage cameras and lenses.

  • Day 02: Animation Tools in Maya

    Now that we are familiar with Maya, let's jump into using the Animation Tools.

  • Day 03: Working with Character Rigs

    In this lesson, we'll look at working with character rigs and animation blocking.

  • Day 04: Animating a Walk Cycle in Maya

    For this exercise, we'll be creating a loopable animation walk cycle. 

Tutor: Jahirul Amin

CAVE Academy Founder | VFX Teacher

Jahirul Amin is a Computer Animation and Visual Effects Teacher and Consultant. He specialises in designing and delivering courses to create solid and diverse production ready skills in all 3D related departments and across a number of facilities worldwide. His background in academia feeds into his ongoing connections with Universities and Colleges which provide Computer Animation and Visual Effects courses. He is also involved in course and examination design as well as lecturing, running workshops and mentoring.

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