17 Online Maya Courses to Excel in the Animation Industry

Are you interested in Animation? Then Maya 3D would interest you. Maya is used to creating three-Dimensional(3D), full-motion effects for Films, television, games, and Visual effects(VFX). The complete name of Maya is Autodesk Maya and it runs on MAC OS, Windows, and Linux. The popularity of the software also led to the popularity of Maya courses. So it will be worthwhile to look at those courses.
View more- Explore Online Courses and Certifications
In the animation world, it enables a user to check the Animation on Viewpoint as it has Cached Playback that gives faster performance. You can get several online animation courses to learn Maya properly. You’ll get maximum 3D animator or artist jobs that include video game design, interior design, 3D modeling, and more by learning Maya.
I must tell you that we see Maya being used daily and has become an essential part of the animation world. As of 2020, there has been a growing demand which is growing and the industry is approximately projected to hit $270 billion in the coming time. As you know, animators are highly in demand; taking an animation and VFX course online can help you take a step forward towards your dream job. There are several online maya animation courses that you'll get in your budget by which you can also save your time if you are already a working person.

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17 Maya courses to excel in Animation career

Here we have compiled a list of 17 top online Maya courses

Check also - Program in Graphic, Web and 2D Animation by Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics

1. Maya for Beginners: Complete Guide to 3D Animation using Maya

In this maya 3d modeling course for beginners, you’ll get to learn Animation online while becoming comfortable using Autodesk’s Maya software to model, texture, rig, animate, render, and light. The instructor will teach you to model your objects and scenes, enabling students to create proper UVs, and adequately texture your objects. Requirements: Must have Autodesk Maya

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 10 hours

Fees: Rs. 8640

Topics covered

• How to use the Maya tools for animation
• Animate a bouncing ball with different weight
• Animate weight shift
• Animate a weight being lifted
• The complete fundamentals of animation
• Game industry standard animations such as idles, walks and runs
• How to create a showreel applying for jobs in the game

Also read: Top 10 Short-Term Animation Courses For a Better Career

2. Learn Maya – A Beginners Guide to Creating Realistic Scenes

This is one of the longest Maya 3D certification courses offered in the Udemy platform. The instructor teaches you to model objects in Maya, UV unwrap objects in Maya, and apply textures to shaders. Moreover, you will be able to learn the fundamentals of Autodesk Maya

Requirements: Students must have Autodesk Maya

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 18.5 hours

Fees: Rs. 2880

Topics covered

• Model objects in Maya
• UV unwrap objects in Maya
• Setup shaders for different types of material
• Apply textures to shaders
• Animate objects using keyframes
• Animate objects using paths
• Setup lighting in Maya
• Render out image

Also Read - Basic 3D Animation using Blender by IIT Bombay via Edx

3. Introduction to Autodesk Maya

This is one of the best Maya 3D certification courses and the instructor is a 3D modeler. You’ll gain insight into the techniques for modeling characters, creating materials and lights, and rendering the scene. Additionally, you are going to learn about two essential menus, Mesh and Edit Mesh. He will teach you to use the brushes simply, to sculpt the character. By the end of this maya 3d modeling course, you would’ve completed one of the most complete online animation classes that will help you create lights in a scene and discover the different textures while applying them.

Requirements: Autodesk Maya, Computer with Windows or MAC OS.

Platform: Domestika

Duration: 8h 39m

Cost: $ 44.90

Topics covered

• First approach to Maya
• Modeling a 3D object
• Modeling a Basic character
• Correct Topology for Animation
• UVs: Displaying and Understanding
• Render and facial expressions

4. Maya 2018 VFX – Learn to create Visual effects using Maya

This is one of the finest Maya 3D certification courses teaching how to do the VFX pipeline for a shot, Matchmove, or track a camera’s motion in Matchmover. This maya 3d modeling course will also teach you the basics of hard surface modeling, Composite using Nuke, and look at development using Maya and Arnold renderer.

Requirements: Basic knowledge of Maya

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 12.5 hours

Cost: Rs. 6400

Topics covered

• Learn the VFX pipeline for a shot
• Matchmove or track a cameras motion in Matchmover
• Basic hard surface modeling
• Look development using Maya and Arnold renderer
• Composite using Nuke

View more: Online Visual Effects Courses & Certifications

5. Maya 2018 Essential Training

This is one of the best Maya animation courses for creating high-quality 3D models and animations in Maya 2018. You’ll learn the core Maya skills – modeling, rendering, texturing, and Animation from this course – within a project-based workflow. Also, the instructor will teach you to add color, texture, and reflectivity to your creations. At the end of the course, you will learn to add movement and life to your work with Maya's animation tools.

Requirements: No prior knowledge required

Platform: LinkedIn learning

Duration: 8h 10m

Cost: Rs. 1400

Topics covered

• The Maya Interface
• Select and Manipulate Objects
• Organize Maya Scenes
• Create Polygonal Models
• Model Polygonal Meshes
• Refine Polygonal Meshes
• NURBS Modeling Techniques
• Refine NURBS Models
• Create Materials
• Apply Materials and Textures
• Render in Maya
• Render in Arnold
• Animate in Maya

Also Read - Animation and CGI Motion by Columbia University, New York via Edx

6. 3D Modeling & Animation with Maya

This is one of the longer Maya animation courses offered in the Udemy platform where you learn Maya, Character modeling, Character Rigging, Character, Animation, Lighting, Texturing, and more step by step from this multimedia animation course. This animation tutorial is ideally suited for high school level students who are interested in learning 3D Animation and Maya. Its curriculum contains 6 sections for 35 lectures, and you’ll be given a certification at the end of the course.

Requirements: No specific requirements

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 11 hours

Fees: Rs. 3520

Topics covered

• Maya
• Polygonal Modeling
• Texturing
• Rigging
• Animation
• Lighting
• Rendering
• Character modeling
• Character Rigging and Animation

Also read: 16+ Best Online Courses to Make 3D Models

7. Maya: Character Rigging

This is one of those Maya courses that is short yet succinct covering intricate concepts & tools of the Maya 3D software. You will learn the rules of rigging – right geometry, organization, and controls – and you’ll learn to create joints, constraints, and connections.

Requirements: Basic knowledge of Maya

Platform: LinkedIn learning

Duration: 2h 53m

Cost: Rs. 1400

Topics covered

• Introduction
• Getting Started
• Creating Skeletons
• Creating Leg and Foot Controls
• Creating Body Controls
• Creating FK and IK Controls
• Rigging Hands
• Skinning Characters
• Conclusion

8. Maya: Tips, Tricks & Techniques

This series of Maya 3D certification courses is designed for intermediate learning to provide you tips, tricks, and techniques to solve issues most commonly encountered by Maya artists.

Requirements: Basic knowledge of Maya

Platform: LinkedIn learning

Duration: 7h

Fees: Rs. 1599

Topics covered

• Camera Match and the Arnold renderer and create unique models and textures
• Rope and pulley assemblies and squashy/stretchy cartoon eyes
• Modeling, texturing, rendering, animation, or VFX workflow.

Also read: VFX PLUS- Program in Visual Effects BY Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics

9. Fast animation and rigging techniques using Maya 2017

This is one of the highest-rated and best Maya courses animation certification courses online right now. You’ll learn to rig a biped using Human IK in Maya. The instructor will also teach you to animate a walk cycle and tweak it to show more weight. You’ll be able to paint skin weights on characters with time-saving tips, edit motion capture using the Time editor and Graph editor. Moreover, you’ll learn to apply and retarget motion capture downloaded from the internet.

Requirements: Basic knowledge of Maya

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 5 hours

Fees: Rs. 3840

Topics covered

• Rig a biped using Human IK in Maya
• Rig a character using Quick rig one click and step by step methods
• Animate a walk cycle and tweak it to show more weight
• Apply motion capture to Human IK and any other rig
• Apply and retarget motion capture downloaded from the internet
• Edit motion capture using the Time editor and Graph editor
• Paint skin weights on characters with time saving tips

Also Read - Trinity 3D by Arena Animation

10. Maya: Shader Networks

This is one of the best online animation courses you'll get for the Intermediate level. The topics covered in this Maya 3D course include color correction, essential Hypershade techniques, working with UV sets, and more.

Requirements: Basic knowledge required

Platform: LinkedIn learning

Duration: 2h 40m

Fees: Rs. 1599

Topics covered

• Shader Network Essentials
• Color and Compositing
• Mapping and Scene Data
• Non-Photoreal Materials
• Interoperability
• Conclusion

Read more: Career as Animator

11. Maya and After Effects: Product Visualization

This course will give animation tutorials for beginners and will illustrate the standard workflow for the product. The topics covered by the instructor include layering out the scene, layering materials, image-based lighting with an environment map, and more.

Requirements: No specific requirements

Platform: LinkedIn learning

Duration: 3h 34m

Cost: Rs. 1150

Topics covered

• Scene Layout
• Materials
• Lighting
• Rendering and Compositing
• Special Effects and Animation
• Conclusion

Also Read - Animation VFX Prime by Arena Animation

12. Master Maya - A Guide to 3D Modeling With Maya

This is one of the best Maya courses for beginners. The instructor will teach you to make models and will provide Maya scene files for each video lesson. If you are passionate about learning how to create good-looking 3D models, this course is right at the top on our recommendation list.

Requirements: No prior experience required

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 12. 5hours

Cost: Rs. 3200

Topics covered

• The Maya Interface
• Transformations and Camera
• NURBS Modeling
• Polygon Modeling
• Rendering
• Lighting
• Texturing
• UV Preparation
• Keyframe Animation
• Batch Rendering
• Raytracing
• Using Mental Ray
• Additional Techniques

13. Maya: The Basics

This is one of the shortest Maya courses offered in the skillshare platform where you will learn the basics of Animation, professionally lighting a scene in Arnold, rendering your image, and more. The curriculum is quite detailed and focuses on helping you become more hands-on with practical projects that you can go on to add in your portfolio.

Requirements: No previous knowledge required

Duration: 1h 6m

Fees: Rs. 149 per month (7 days free trial)

Platform: Skillshare

Also Read - DGA - Program in Graphics & Animation by Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics

14. Learn Autodesk Maya In 3 Hours

From this multimedia animation course, you'll learn to create your unique 3D models, work with lights in Maya 2018, create stunning 3D text, and more. For learners who have been looking to get a quick recap of the concepts they have learnt so far related to Maya 3D, we would 100% suggest this Maya 3D course to help you refresh your knowledge or create a focused portfolio to land your dream job in 3D animation.

Requirements: No specific requirements

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 3h

Fees: Rs. 1280

Topics covered

• Setting up your First Project
• The Maya 2018 Interface
• Navigating the Viewport
• Creating and Manipulating Basic Geometry
• All About Pivots
• The Attribute Editor
• The Outliner
• Parenting Objects
• Faces Edges Vertices
• Extrude and Bevel
• Adding a Camera to your Scene
• Adding Lights to your Scene
• Arnold Render Preview
• Hard and Soft Shadows
• Hypershade Material Editor
• Environment HDRI and Reflections
• Using Image Planes
• Animation and Keyframes
• The Graph Editor
• 3D Text
• UV and UV Projections
• Bullet Physics Engine
• Playblast to Preview your Scene
• Motion Blur
• Rendering your Scene or Animation

Also Read - Programme in Print, Web and 3D Animation by Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics

15. Creation of 3D scenes from Scratch in Maya

This is one of the best maya software courses offered by Domestika platform teaches about different sources of references and how to plan a project. Learn to apply essential lighting and rendering concepts in this course. The 3D scenes are probably one of those things which we have been fascinated with for quite some time now when it comes to some really popular animated films of the recent past & this animation and design course will be perfect for you.

Requirements: Knowledge of 3D modeling in Maya

Platform: Domestika

Duration: 8h 26m

Fees: $ 44.90

Topics covered

• Introduction
• Set Dressing I: Creation of blocking
• Set Dressing II:Creation of assets
• Stage construction
• Fundamentals
• Render for the Portfolio
• Final Project

Also read: 15 Amazing Courses on Character Animation

16. Cartoon-Style Still Life Modeling with Maya

This is another one of the top Maya software courses offered in the Domestika platform, where you’ll learn the process required to create a 3D scene from this animation diploma course by following Cartoon-style guidelines in the Maya software. Additionally, you shall get to learn the basics of lighting and rendering, while creating life-like models in 3D.

Requirements: Previous knowledge of modeling with Maya

Platform: Domestika

Duration: 5h

Cost: $ 44.90

Topics covered

• Introduction
• Modeling the elements of the scene
• Fundamentals
• Rendering for the Portfolio
• Conclusion

17. Maya for Beginners: Rigging

Best suited for beginners, this maya 3d modeling course focuses on teaching you the basic to advanced process required to create life-like motion in your 3D characters. Considering that rigging is tipped as an essential skill for 3D animation as well as VFX artists, you are also getting to learn texturing, modelling before you start with understanding the process of rigging. Your instructor for this Maya 3D course is Lucas Ridley, a very talented animation artist.

Requirements: No specific requirements

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 1.5 hours

Cost: Rs. 1280

Topics covered

• Rigging Characters
• Blendshapes
• Skeleton (Human IK)
• Control Rig (Human IK)
• Face Joints / Contraints
• Custom GUI
• Set Driven Keys
• Custom Attributes

Also Read - Animations by Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi via Swayam

Conclusion

As listed above,these were some of the best Animation and design courses online which will help you become a skilled animator & get paid for your creativity. Considering the fact that you know Maya has a good reputation and an ever-increasing demand in the market across multimedia, filmmaking and content creation. So take some of the best Maya courses to advance in your career.

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