top of page

Learn how to model a Rocket the easiest way


Project Setup and Rocket Modeling in Autodesk Maya! In this Maya class, the instructor teaches how to create a new project and use references correctly. They demonstrate how to create a project, import references, align them in different views, lock the references, and save the progress. Then they proceed to create a rocket model using various shapes like spheres, cylinders, and cubes, adjusting their position and scaling as needed.


Watch the YouTube Video here CLICK ME

The tools 👇🏻

- Creating a New Project

  • Before you start working on your Maya project you first need to set it up by opening up the Project Window.
























- Project Window

  • From there another window will appear in the middle of your screen where you can name your new project and direct where you want the new project to be saved.



- Setting up References

  • Once you create a new project you need to go inside the project files and look for the “sourceimages” file. Inside this folder, you will add your references.





- Free Image Planes:

  • Once we’ve added our images we can go back inside Maya and set them up using Free Image Plane.

  • Once you’ve created a Free Image Plane a blank square will appear in the center of your grid.










- Attribute Editor

  • To add our image, we need to click on the folder icon inside of the Image Name inside of the Attribute Editor and add our reference from the “sourceimages” folder.

















  • The reference will appear on the transparent square and we can lay them out in our scene by using the move, rotate, and scale tools.



  • Laying out the reference images is important to make sure we are modeling every side of the rocket correctly.

  • You know your images have been placed correctly when you can see them on all 3 sides when we open up the other viewports.



- Xray Mode

  • X-ray mode will allow us to look through any object we place inside our scene.



- Wire Frame Mode

  • Wire Frame mode lets us see the topology of our model.



- Select Faces/Edges/Vertecies

  • While in the desired mode (in this case in face mode) we can select multiple faces by holding down Left Shift and Let Clicking on the other faces.



- Extrude Shortcut

  • Holding Left Shift (while having faces/edges selected) while using the Moove Tool and dragging down by holding down Left Click, will allow you to extrude the faces/edges.



- Grouping

  • To group multiple objects together, you first need to select them all either in the Outliner Tab or Left Shift + Left Mouse Button on them in the workspace then click Ctrl + G on your keyboard.



- Adding Materials and Color

  • You can add different materials to your object by holding the Right Mouse Button on a selected object and Assigning a Favorite Material to the mesh.

  • To change the color of the material you need to go inside the Attribute Editor and select the new material you added.

  • Once selected a few options will pop up inside the Editor, one being the Color Option.

  • Click on the gray colored bar and choose a different color.



- Duplicating with Ctrl + D / Left Shift + D

  • You can duplicate objects by holding down Ctrl and clicking the D key on your keyboard.

  • You can also change the position of the next duplicate by moving or rotating into your desired spot then by holding down your Left Shift and clicking on the D key, the new duplicate will rotate or move the same distance as the previous one.



- Blue Pencil

  • The Blue Pencil tool is used in Maya to draw out the animation inside of your viewport.



- Animating / putting down keyframes / Combining

  • To animate in Maya you need to add keyframes in the timeline below your viewport.

  • Make sure your 3D model is fully combined.

  • To do this you need to select each piece of your model, Left Shift and Right Clicking together will open up new options then select the Combine Option.




















  • To add keyframes you first need to select the object you want to animate then click S on your keyboard. This will add a red line in the time timeline showing you where you’ve added your keyframe.




  • By using the drawn-out line in our viewport, we can correctly place the rocket in each keyframe to make our animation.


  • To play your animation press the play button at the end of the timeline.



Watch the YouTube Video here CLICK ME

⚫️If you want to learn more about Maya, check out our Self Pace Programs.⚫️





Become part of the new Game Design How To? 2023

Advanced knowledge is NOT REQUIRED and the event is FREE. 💻 WHERE? - online and live at the M3DS Academy of Visual Arts. ⏰ WHEN? - you choose a day, from June 15 to July 6, 2023 The final award ceremony will be held on July 7, 2023.


💡WHY? - Each participant receives a free course in the Unreal Engine Program - Each participant receives an international certificate of participation. - Each participant receives a discount for enrollment in the M3DS Academy.




Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page