Glossary

Maya Modeling
Glossary Maya Modeling

A
Axis
A hypothetical linear path around which an object can be rotated, or across which it can be mirrored.
In the Cartesian co-ordinate system, the three world axes, X, Y and Z (width, height and depth) define
directionality within the 3D universe. Hence, a co-ordinate of (0,0,0) defines the origin of the world.

B
Boolean
An object created by combining two objects using mathematical operators. The two objects may be
subtracted from one other, merged, or intersected to form the new object.
Bit
In computer science, the smallest amount of information possible: a binary value of either zero or one.
Each bit multiplies the amount of information stored by a factor of two.
One bit can express a decimal value from zero to one: 21 = 2 possible values.
Two bits can express a decimal value from zero to three: 22 = 4 possible values.
Eight bits can express a decimal value from zero to 255: 28 = 256 possible values.
24 bits can express a decimal value from zero to 16,777,215: 224 = over 16 million possible values.
Bitmap
A still image produced by a fixed matrix of pixels. Examples of bitmap file formats: .BMP (Microsoft
Bitmap), .GIF (Compuserve Graphics Interchange Format), .JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group),
.TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), .TGA (Truevision Targa), .PNG (Portable Network Graphics).

C
CV
Control Vertex. A control point used to manipulate the shape of a NURBS curve.

E
Edge
The boundary between two faces of a mesh model. An edge is a straight line connecting two vertices,
and bounded by a face on either side.
Extrusion
A modelling technique in which a two-dimensional outline or profile is duplicated outwards along a
linear path, and the set of duplicated profiles joined to create a continuous three-dimensional surface.

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H
Hull
A series of straight lines connecting the CVs of a NURBS surface.
HDRI
Acronym for High Dynamic Range Imaging. HDRI provides a more realistic simulation of lighting
than previous techniques. It stores a much wider range of values to describe the brightness of pixels.
Standard bitmap images can typically reproduce a contrast ratio of about 1000 to 1. HDR images can
reproduce the full range of real-world light intensities, for contrast ratios in the range of 100,000 to 1.

F
Face
The front or back of an extruded object. The shape from which a 3D object has been extruded.

L
Lofting
A modelling technique in which a continuous three-dimensional surface is created by selecting and
joining multiple two-dimensional cross sections or profiles.

M
Morph
To transform from one state to another. Morphing is commonly used in lip-synching, in order to transform
the head model of a character between a variety of preset states (or ‘morph targets’), corresponding
to common facial expressions, in order to create the illusion of speech.
Mesh
The surface geometry of a 3D model, made up of a series of linked geometry elements such as
polygons, patches or NURBS surfaces.

N
NURBS
Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines. NURBS curves are two-dimensional curves whose shape is determined
by a series of control points or CVs between which they pass. When a series of such curves are joined
together, they form a threedimensional NURBS surface. Such surfaces have a separate co-ordinate
space (known as UV co-ordinate space) to that of the 3D scene in which they are situated. NURBS
are commonly used to model organic curved-surface objects.

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L
Low-Poly Modelling
The process of creating simplified models with low polygon counts, usually for use in videogames,
where scenes must be rendered in real time, by software with a limited ability to handle complex models.

P
Polygon
A geometry element formed by connecting three or more points. A triangle, or three-point polygon, is
the simplest form of polygonal geometry. Polygonal modelling is a fast, intuitive method of creating
3D objects, but does not easily generate smooth curved surfaces.
Patch
A deformable parametric surface, useful for creating curved objects. It can be based on Bezier or
NURBS mathematics. The curvature is controlled by the position of control vertices.
Perspective
Representation of a scene in which parallel lines are depicted as converging, in order to give the
illusion of depth and distance. Like an orthographic view, a perspective view is a projection of a 3D
scene onto a 2D screen. However, in a perspective view, the lines of projection converge on a virtual
camera, which is the simulated point of view.
Pivot Point
The center of an object’s transforms, and the center of its local coordinate system. An object moves,
rotates, and scales relative to the location and orientation of its pivot point. Also known as “anchor
point” in some computer applications.
Pixel
Abbreviation of picture element: the smallest possible element of a picture. A digital image is defined
by a discrete number of pixels arranged in a 2D grid or mosaic. Many very small pixels blend together
in the human eye and brain to give the illusion of a continuous, unbroken image.

S
Scene
A set of 3D objects, including the models themselves and the lights and camera that will be used when
rendering them out.

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T
Texture
A bitmap image that is applied to the surface of 3D object to give it detail. Texture maps may be either
photographic images or procedural textures, and may be applied in each of the material channels of
an object using a variety of mapping or projection methods.

W
Wireframe
A shading method in which a simple grid of lines is used to represent the basic contours of the underlying
model. For many 3D artists, this is a favoured mode to work in, since it permits them to see faces and
surfaces that would otherwise be hidden by overlying geometry.

3D
Three-dimensional. Descriptive of a region of space that has width, height and depth.

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