Sophia Delgado
Autodesk Maya is a 3D-modelling software that is used to create photorealistic human characters. One of the steps in creating a human character is modelling the hands and fingers, which includes texturing the fingernails. This can be done by first making an edge loop near the tip of the finger and extruding the two faces facing the top, rotating it slightly. Then, the tip of the nail is extruded out a little longer. To add more detail, an edge loop is added around the width of the nail, and the extra detail is used to add roundness to the region. For texturing, some subsurface scattering (SSS) will add realism, and the rest is just a matter of layering colours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Software | Autodesk Maya |
| Process | Modelling and texturing a fingernail |
| Steps | Start by scaling the tip of the finger inwards to make it thinner, add edge loops on either side of the knuckles, select and extrude the faces facing the top of the finger, rotate it, and extrude the tip of the nail |
| Details | Use the Crease Tool to prevent rounding of corners, add volume to the palmer side of the finger, create a fleshier appearance, and add roundness to the nail region |
| Tips | Work with a flat hand model for ease, duplicate a completed finger and repurpose it for the remaining fingers, and use reference images for accuracy |
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What You'll Learn
Creating a photoreal human character
First, we need to create the fingers and the thumb. We can start by drawing over a proposed topology to plan our work. This will serve as a simple guide before we start pushing and pulling vertices around. We can then bring this into Maya as an image plane and start modelling the hand. It is often easier to work with the hand flat on the plane and then import it into the current scene with the body model later.
To create the fingers, we can follow these steps:
- For each phalanx, add two loops around the initial loop.
- On the dorsal side of the finger, move the points to create an oval-shaped wrinkle, similar to what you would see on your own finger when you bend it.
- On the palmer side, bring the edges closer together and push the centre edge in slightly.
- Add another edge loop in between each phalanx to add volume and create a fleshier appearance.
Now, for the fingernail, we can follow these steps:
- Select the two relevant faces on the top of the finger and go to Edit Mesh > Extrude.
- Scale the faces slightly and rework the shape to match your reference.
- Perform another extrusion on the newly created faces and lift them up slightly.
- Add an edge loop to cut around the width of the nail and use the extra detail to add some roundness to the region.
- To add more definition to the finger, repeat the previous steps and add another loop around the middle of the second knuckle.
- For texturing, some Subsurface Scattering (SSS) will add realism. You can then add layers and colours to achieve the desired look.
Finally, we need to connect the fingers to each other and to the palm. First, select all the fingers and go to Mesh > Combine, followed by Edit > Delete By Type > History. To connect two fingers, select an edge from each and go to Edit Mesh > Extrude, followed by Edit Mesh > Merge Vertex Tool to weld the edges together. Repeat this process for all the fingers and the thumb, and then perform some larger extrusions to start filling out the hand.
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Adding detail to the wrist
To add detail to the wrist, you can start by checking your weight painting. It is recommended to have a base finger joint that all the fingers can connect to, rather than having them connect directly to the wrist. This way, you can add weights to the joint between the fingers and the wrist to make it look better.
To create more detail, you can add a joint in the middle of the forearm. This will help to avoid the mesh twisting weirdly when the wrist is rotated. You can also orient constrain the wrist joint to the control. This can be done by creating a controller on the elbow and moving it backward in space, then adding a 'Pole Vector constraint' from the control to the IK handle.
When it comes to the topology of the wrist, you may encounter challenges such as an extra edge when trying to retopologize. To address this, try reducing spots with 5 or more points, especially at the base of the thumb. You can also move these spots to areas where they won't cause strange pinches during sculpting or animation.
Another approach is to use the collapse edge tool in the edit mesh menu, which can be faster and cleaner than simply deleting an edge. Select two edges across from each other and use the collapse tool, which will merge the entire face and allow you to reduce entire loops without leaving extra vertices.
Additionally, consider using Z Brush to solve the problem of an extra edge. This tool can help you relax the vertices and trace the mess backward through the topology.
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Using the Crease Tool
To texture a fingernail in Maya, you can use the Crease Tool to create a defined edge look in a smooth mesh preview. This is a Maya-specific function, as it is not commonly used in the gaming industry.
To create a crease in a subdivision surface, select the edges that define the nail and go to Edit Mesh > Crease Tool. Middle-click the selected edges and drag the mouse to the right to increase the crease factor. You can also add a second crease on the edges below the tip of the nail to extend the front of the nail past the skin with a sharp edge. To do this, select Subdiv Surfaces > Full Crease Edge/Vertex.
If you want to remove a crease, select Subdiv Surfaces > Uncrease Edge/Vertex. To create a ridge at the edge of the nail, switch to Vertex selection mode and select the level 2 vertices on the skin at the perimeter of the previously selected edges. Move them up so that the skin's juncture with the nail forms a slight ridge.
You can also experiment with moving individual vertices to shape the nail and surrounding region as desired. To display and select vertices that may be below the shaded surface and impossible to select, switch to wireframe shading (Shading > Wireframe). After selecting the vertices, return to Smooth Shade display mode so you can see the results of moving them more easily.
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Mapping a different texture
To map a different texture to the fingernails and the bottom of the palm of a hand made from polygons, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, select the relevant 2 faces on the top of the finger and go to Edit Mesh > Extrude. This will allow you to scale the faces in slightly and rework the shape to match your reference. Once you are happy with the shape, perform another extrusion to lift the new faces up slightly. This will help to create the desired length for the fingernail.
Next, add an edge loop to cut around the width of the nail. This extra detail will help to add some roundness to the region, giving the fingernail a more realistic appearance. To ensure that the nail maintains its shape, select the edges that define it and go to Edit Mesh => Crease Tool. This will prevent the corners from becoming too rounded.
Now, you can focus on adding texture to the nail. Some Subsurface Scattering (SSS) will give it a realistic appearance. You can then add layers and colours to achieve the desired look.
Finally, to connect the fingers to the palm, select an edge from each and go to Edit Mesh > Extrude. Go to Edit Mesh > Merge Vertex Tool and weld the newly extruded edge to connect the fingers and palm together.
By following these steps, you will be able to map a different texture to the fingernails and the bottom of the palm, creating a realistic and detailed hand in Maya.
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Modelling the tip of the finger with the nail
When it comes to modelling the tip of the finger with the nail in Maya, there are a few different approaches you can take. One method is to create a hole at the end of the finger and make the fingernail as a separate piece of geometry that fits into that space. This approach can be useful for rigging, but it may pose some challenges for shaders. Alternatively, you can create the fingertip geometry, including the nail, as a single object. This option might be more straightforward in terms of modelling, but it could require additional considerations for texturing and shading.
To begin modelling the fingertip and nail, start by selecting the relevant two faces on the top of the finger. Go to Edit Mesh > Extrude, and then scale these faces slightly to match the desired shape. You can then perform another extrusion to lift the new faces up. To create a more rounded appearance for the nail, add an edge loop around the width of the nail and use the extra detail to refine the shape.
For a more detailed fingernail, you can add further definition by repeating the extrusion process. After extruding the initial two faces, you can then select the newly created faces and extrude them again, extending the tip of the nail to make it slightly longer. This will give the nail a more pronounced and realistic appearance.
It's important to note that the specific steps may vary depending on the version of Maya you are using. Additionally, the process can be adapted based on the level of detail and realism you require for your project.
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Frequently asked questions
To texture a fingernail in Maya, select the relevant 2 faces on the top of the finger and go to Edit Mesh > Extrude. Scale the faces in slightly and rework the shape to sync up with the reference image.
You can separate the fingernail from the rest of the finger geometry by creating a hole at the end of the finger and having the fingernail as a separate piece of geometry that slots into that space.
Some subsurface scattering (SSS) will give the fingernail texture realism.
To connect the fingers to the palm, select the finger and the palm and go to Mesh > Combine. Then, use Edit Mesh > Merge to Center for each pair of vertices to join the finger to the palm.
To add more detail to the fingernail, create an edge loop near the tip of the finger and extrude the 2 faces facing the top, rotating it slightly. Then, add an edge loop to cut around the width of the nail and use the extra detail to add roundness to the region.
