ACU Maya study plan

Configure the Maya workspace by customizing shelves, marking menus, and hotkeys for modeling workflows.

Demonstrate viewport navigation and object manipulation using both mouse and keyboard shortcuts without menus.

Build a simple hard-surface prop from primitives, using the Outliner and Channel Box to organize and rename nodes.

Apply basic transforms and pivots to duplicate and align components precisely.

Model a low-poly asset using edge loops, extrudes, and bevels while maintaining quad topology.

Use the Modeling Toolkit to retopologize a simple shape and check for non-manifold geometry.

Create a UV layout for the asset using automatic projection and manual stitching in the UV Editor.

Apply a checker map to verify UV distortion and adjust shells for minimal stretching.

Sculpt a high-resolution detail pass using the Sculpting Tools and transfer details to the low-poly mesh via a normal map bake.

Build a layered shader network in Hypershade using file textures, bump, and specular maps.

Assign materials to the asset and test them under a basic three-point light rig.

Create a simple procedural texture using ramps and noise nodes to add surface variation.

Set up an Arnold render with physical sky and an area light, adjusting exposure and sampling for a clean image.

Create and compare three lighting scenarios (key/fill/rim, HDRI-only, and mixed) and document the differences.

Apply texture maps to a character or prop and render a close-up to evaluate shader response to light.

Optimize render settings by reducing noise while keeping render time under five minutes per frame.

Build a joint chain for a simple character or mechanical arm and orient joints correctly.

Bind the mesh using smooth skinning and paint weights to fix deformation in at least two problem areas.

Create a basic IK handle and set up a constraint to control the limb.

Animate a 48-frame walk cycle using the graph editor to refine timing and arcs.

Animate a simple object interaction (e.g., a ball bouncing with squash and stretch) and refine the timing in the graph editor.

Set up a camera move and render the animation as a sequence with motion blur.

Use the Time Editor or Trax Editor to blend two animation clips.

Render a multi-pass composite (beauty, shadow, ambient occlusion) and combine them in post.

Optimize a scene for rendering by cleaning up history, reducing polycount, and using proxies.

Set up a batch render with render layers for separate objects and shadows.

Create a custom render layer override for a material and verify it in the final composite.

Render a still frame at 1080p with a maximum render time of ten minutes.

Assemble a final project that combines modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, and rendering into a single scene.

Create a turntable and a short animated clip of the final asset.

Review all deliverables against the ACU Maya exam objectives and document any gaps.

Complete a timed practice test covering all five domains and review incorrect answers.