This title consists of a microsoft word e-book and all required Maya support files. This e-book series takes a unique approach to modelling a highly detailed transforming robot called Megatron. In part 1 (this product) we will be modelling Megatron in alt mode as it breaks down using an easy-to-follow step by step formula that makes the learning process less daunting. The artist “Michael Bailey” presents 13 detailed tutorials of modelling Megatron in alt mode piece by piece using Maya 8.5 PLE so that when complete, we will be ready to continue modelling the extra pieces to allow him to transform and become the great robot we all love in part 2 of this series. By the time you have finished the tutorial, you will have created an amazing polygon model of a gun that has the extra details inside the gun (not visible to the viewer) and separated in the correct places that will be required for us to continue modelling and transform him into a robot in part 2. In part 3 of this series we will be adding even more details with very high quality texture work and finally rigging and animating him in part 4. This e-book teaches you every step required of polygon modelling, including, edge loops, bevels, append to polygon, extrude and much more; discover how 'modelling by formula' eases the character creation process; find out how to create the great Megatron model starting from scratch with just a few simple objects like a sphere, cube or cylinders. You will be taught step by step how to edit those simple objects to become much more detailed objects that will create our great transforming Robot. This title also contains the images and support files to help build the model.

This e-book can be followed by a beginner to professional level artist requiring only the very basic knowledge of using Maya which can be learnt quickly in the help section of the software itself.

As many of you Generation 1 fans will know… The character of Megatron you watched on TV was not the same as the toy most of you will have owned back in the 80’s. When you watch the cartoon version of him in robot mode and think about him in alt mode, you will notice that there appears to be many pieces of his gun mode missing when he stands in robot mode (e.g. where has the trigger gone?).

One of the great things about animation is that you can do almost anything you want with it and fool the audience without them realising it.

Looking at the model the artist has built for this project, you will see a much greater resemblance of the original cartoon version of Megatron in both robot and alt mode. In the full series you will be shown a great technique the artist thought of that allows you to animate the transformation of him from robot to gun mode and back again while keeping him looking like the great decepticon leader we all know and love.