05/09/08

TITLE: Exclusive Maya Animation Software Raises the Bar at Polytech
DESCRIPTION:
Time: 10:54:44

ARTICLE

Ask any computer animation student, “Which is the most industry- relevant, most technically difficult to master and the most amazing for 3-D animation software program available today?” and they’ll reply MAYA.   Autodesk® Maya Software is a state-of-the art, 3-dimensional computer animation program taught at the county’s only animation course offered at the Bartles Corner Campus at Polytech Career Academy. 

Polytech Animation teacher Teresa Diaz talks about the professional level program that is used to make movies, cartoons, commercials, and video games. “Spiderman, I-Robot, and a ton of movies were made using this software” she said.  “So many things you see on TV, like each and every colored drop of sweat in the Gatorade commercials, are made with Maya.  Most graphic artists would think that these were digitally colored and altered from film but they are actually animated in Maya.”

Ms. Diaz has been teaching Maya for 3 years and was trained in Tampa Florida because there are no registered training centers in the area. It is rather difficult for high school students to learn. Maya, when used correctly, involves a lot of higher math, including geometry, physics, and computer programming.

“I had a couple of students whose math skills made learning this program challenging.  But because they had the ability to visualize things three dimensionally they were able to understand and use the software by doing things on sight.  It takes a good 3 marking periods to really begin to grasp the program.  And the students who “get it” love the program and want to pursue it in college.”

One Polytech graduate, Joseph Albrecht from Flemington Boro, is now a Dean’s List junior at Columbus College of Art & Design in Ohio majoring in Media Studies with a concentration in Computer Animation. He credits his Polytech education as giving him a big step up when he entered his animation class in college. 

Joe said that he “certainly had an edge after taking Commercial Arts and Animation with Mrs. Diaz.  Many students were not familiar with standard graphics programs let alone Maya.  Maya is the most advanced program out there and is used for the superior graphics you find in video games such as ‘God of War’ and ‘Halo.’  Maya is so popular in the professional film industry because it does the functions of many different programs including animating, lighting, and texturizing.  Anyone interested in 3-dimensional graphics should look at the Polytech program.  It helped me tremendously.”

The animation course is 15 – 20 credits for a full year at Hunterdon County Polytech.  For more information please call 284-1444, Ext. 20.