Sunday, February 15th, 2026 Posted by Jim Thacker

Tutorial: Introduction to Maya 2026


The Gnomon Workshop has launched Introduction to Maya 2026, the latest of veteran Maya instructor Eric Keller‘s popular series of beginners’ guides to the industry-standard 3D software.

Introduction to Maya 2026: Volume 1 provides over four hours of video training, and covers the Maya interface and key workflow concepts.

The upcoming Volume 2 will cover Maya’s modeling, rigging and deformation tools. Volume 3 will cover UV layout, lighting, shading, rendering with Arnold, and Maya’s animation interfaces.

Volume 1: an essential introduction to Maya’s interface and core workflows
In the first part of the workshop, Keller covers Maya’s user interface and key workflow concepts, providing 20 approachable lessons, each 12-15 minutes long.

He begins by explaining how to set up Maya properly, how to use Editors such as the Outliner, Attribute Editor and Channel Box, and the options available in panel menus.

Workflow topics covered include working with cameras, geometry, lighting, and rendering within Maya’s viewports, including how to preview textures and shading using Viewport 2.0.

Keller also demonstrates the options available in the Tool Box, plus pivot manipulation, Component versus Object Mode, and Blue Pencil.

As well as the training videos themselves, viewers of the workshop can download accompanying project files, making it possible to follow along with real-world examples.

About the artist
Eric Keller is an Emmy Award-nominated CG artist. His credits include One Piece, Wednesday, Dune: Prophecy, and the John Wick and Aquaman movies.

As well as his other training videos for The Gnomon Workshop, he has also taught at the Gnomon school itself, and been a guest lecturer at Harvard Medical School.

Pricing and availability
Introduction to Maya 2026: Volume 1 is available via a subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, which provides access to over 300 tutorials.

Subscriptions cost $57/month or $499/year. Free trials are available.

Read more about Introduction to Maya 2026: Volume 1


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