How to Quickly Model a Wire/Cable using Maya 2018

Hi Creators,
This is a video request! From offices to telephone poles, cables and wires are found everywhere in our environments. Modeling cables and wires is essential in making your environments look realistic. In this video tutorial, I will show you how to quickly and efficiently model a wire/cable using Maya 2018.
We will be using tools such as EP curves, extrude from curves and more!
Follow along and download the file here: www.academicph...
Software used: Maya 2018, Photoshop and Arnold
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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[@threedots1515]

every time. I'm coming back to this video every time.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thank you for watching!

[@robertban871]

same, it seems the step i always forget is to select the polygon faces instead of the object itself. normally i just extrude a plane from object mode, but here that doesnt seem to work

[@aussieraver7182]

Hopefully this helps someone else, but at 3:55, if you can't seem to be able to snap the vertex to the curve, just make sure that you hold C then Middle Mouse Button DIRECTLY ON THE CURVE.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thank you for the description and tip! I love when the community helps each other out. :)

[@flaser4099]

I still can’t get it to work :/

[@aussieraver7182]

@@flaser4099 To make things simpler, isolate view both the curve and the cylindrical plane. You can do this by shift selecting both items then hit "CTRL+1".
Now give it a go again. I noticed that sometimes it doesnt work too, I think theres something wrong with the program.

[@swaniwatb1486]

thanks

[@rincasifutsume]

oh my god thank so you much

[@hotcrossandnobuns1850]

This is honestly fantastic. I've been a 3D artist for 5 years and finally made the jump from Max to Maya. Your tutorials are really helping through the process. Just wanted to say a huge thank you (:

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Awesome! Transitioning from one software to another can be very challenging! I'm glad my tutorials helped, Jake. :)

[@nicolecampanha9392]

You saved me, thank you so much. And you're the first woman teaching Maya that I've ever seen, I loved it

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

I'm so glad! Hopefully not the only one soon. :)

[@blobfish2]

For anyone else who discovers the problem of the extruding not following the curve, with the menu simply popping up with the normal extrude options: you might be in the object mode. Try selecting the curve, then right click (on the poly object) and chose component mode face, shift-select the right face and then extrude

[@lostlange]

thank you !!

[@ahxun7255]

Thank you so much ! 😄

[@pepitochan2914]

your comment saved me tysm !!!!

[@monz_3d730]

thank you so much for this tips !

[@lukad_0533]

ty you save me hahhahaha

[@harukunnn4092]

for those who still can't do it this:
- select the curve and set it to control vertex
- then click shift and click the center pivot (make sure the curve and the pivot are selected together)
- drag it to the first vertex

[@Lillireify]

YAY you saved me from hours of skinning, I was able to quickly model a substitute! Thank you!

[@lordilhamgod4417]

This is the best free software Ive seen. Respect.

[@waywardwiz]

your voice is perfect for teaching, thank you very much I've learned a lot! awesome content!!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thanks Pedro! I appreciate it and glad you are learning and enjoying the content :)

[@isaacjones9886]

im a first-year uni student doing games art and learning maya and ur tutorials really help with things i find difficult thank you

[@luichy_13]

Ajuda aí Isaac, não estou a conseguir o shift select ahahahah

[@evengreven5515]

That curve tool is powerful af

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

agreed!

[@nolock]

You can also download maya bonus tools. And there the tab "maya bonus tools/modeling/curve to tube mesh

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

I have to check that out! Thank you for sharing. :)

[@manny0102]

You just got a new subscriber!, honestly only TH-cam that is easy to follow for newbies like me 😊 will watch the rest and like! Thank you!!x

[@danpym3D]

Awesome tutorial! You could also use Curve Warp 😉 first create for example a cylinder add height divisions, then create the curve, after that you freeze transformations the cylinder, then shift select the curve then go to Deform> Curve Warp.

[@Echo4eva1]

Awesome stuff! Currently trying to model a violin and this really helped me get the wires to look more realistic, thanks!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Violins are so graceful and hard to model. Great job doing something challenging! I'm glad to hear my tutorial helped you. :)

[@blackgrifon2336]

Thanks! I am not good at english but you explain very simply, that's really good.Thanks again.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Glad it was helpful!

[@princepjohnson]

You're awesome ! You inspire me to learn this stuff more and make it more fun to do so. Excellent work.

[@anthonypreite8610]

i'm subscribed, Your content is clear and very helpful. That missing now on TH-cam. I was blocked in my work and now is done ! Thank you !

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thank you Tony! I'm so glad to hear you like the content. Thank you for your support!

[@kalilambre9742]

Thank you a lot, I've watched severals of your videos and it's always super helpful !

[@JdR2V]

This saves me so much trouble doing wires, thanks you so much! i really enjoy your videos :D

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed my videos! Comments like yours makes me want to continue. Thank you!

[@elisaperez5118]

you literally saved my career thank you
so much

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thanks Elisa! I'm glad I could help and my tutorials were helpful. :)

[@miniOwch]

most helpful video i have found so far. Thanks ! :)

[@pathikbiswasvisualart]

Lifesaving tutorial.Simple and easy to follow.

[@TanoshiPLAY]

Still helpful in 2022. Thank you!!

[@RaghavSharma-hi8wk]

it was so cute being taught by you!! you just earned a subscriber

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thanks for subbing!

[@TheRealArtDoctor]

thank you, these videos always save my life

[@sahirjutt]

thanks a lot mam!
I was anxious for animating but when you tell the plus point that we may able to manipulate after the divisions .. thanks a lot

[@alinalevytska3272]

Thank you for a great tutorial!
It worked perfectly when i was snapping ”wire” to curve that I drew.
But once I wanted to create the wire along circle, not curve, it worked partly. Most of the circle turned into wire, with the exception of one part....

[@sabrinak.8386]

This is a great video for me. I've been doing the long way the whole time! This video just saved me.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

I'm so happy it helped! I try to create tutorials that I wish I'd known when I was learning.
By the way, if you want to get pre-released content, updates on workshops, free models, and more, please sign up for my newsletter. www.academicphoenixplus.com/

[@TheLillianYoung]

I use a a script for this but I do like your tutorials, and subscribed on your site.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Can you share the script? I think it would help everyone!

[@d.n1088]

OMG!!!! Thanks!!!!! :D You saved a life!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

You're welcome!

[@chrisjhart]

Top tier tutorials right here. Thanks very much for taking the time and effort to teach people for free :)

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Glad it was helpful!

[@냥냥젤리-z1v]

omg.. That's the video I was looking for!
thankyou ㅠㅠ !!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Yey! Glad you found it!

[@pleasureelf60]

Thank you! You explained this so well that even I could follow along (I'm usually terrible at that).

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

So happy to hear that Nanna! I really appreciate it. :)

[@gavski666]

Thanks so much. Simple and to the point. Bravo 👏 👏

[@Gaming_with_Ghosts]

Thank you for making this video it really helped me

[@eddiet5946]

That was cool maybe if you have the time you would be able to show how to use the sweep tool on more complex designed geomotry

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll look into it :)

[@harshparihar9679]

thanks this was simple to understand cool to learn

[@adilkhatri3388]

Hey! Thanks so much for this video!

[@JoDeluk]

I was looking at a way to create nerves roots in the human body where pain is radiating form one end to the other, and I think I can use this technique for the modelling part. Question I have though, is how would I simulate the radiating pain ? How would you do it ?

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Hi Jo, thank you for the comment! I think this tutorial would also help you create veins. It’s a tutorial on creating vines, so it would be similar to veins. :). th-cam.com/video/BiwUnfCTaVQ/w-d-xo.html
As for radiating pain, I would make it glow red/yellow rapidly, so it looks like pain flares. If pain is running down the leg, I would make the pulsing color slide down the leg. What about you? What did you do?

[@Hogscraper]

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

You are very welcome, Hogscraper! I'm glad you found it useful! :)

[@judylin148]

Great tutorial! You are truly an awesome animator!

[@ShineyFX]

For some reason when I am on Face I cant shift select the curve

[@artbybruno1734]

Thank you Monica! You are AWESOME!!

[@leonidborodkin3127]

Amazing lessons and lovely voice! Thank you so much!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

You are too king, Leonid! Thank you for your support!

[@julietaruiz9056]

this was so helpful thank u so much!!!!

[@chrismiranda8370]

U got 1 more subscriber lol. Thank you!, I was on that issue for about 30mins like what is it that is not being doing correctly lol.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thanks Chris! I'm glad it worked, and I appreciate the support! :)

[@wheeler6768]

This is actually so useful, thank you

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Glad you think so! 💖

[@Touchgrassplz]

thank you fro the concise tutorial, appreciate the plus side too!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thank you Abdul! I'm not sure if the Plus side helps, but it's a fun addition. :)

[@emrahoz07]

Thank you . I follow from Istanbul. I'm waiting for your lessons

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Istanbul? So cool! Thank you for your comment, Emrah! I try to release a video every week, so keep an eye out for more! :)

[@TheSashaShoww]

Such a great video! Thank you

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

You are so welcome! Glad you liked it!

[@momenwaleed8001]

Thanks for that tip , it is really helpful

[@annaarty4656]

Thank you very much 🤗😄 awesome stuff!

[@keithyakouboff8755]

Thank you Ms. Academic. I never knew pressing "c" would lock something to a curve. I was only aware of "x" and "v". I wonder how many other letters work in a similar fashion within Maya :D. I also did not know you could extrude a polygonal face along a curve. I keep trying to extrude NURBS circles along curves, and it's always a frick'n battle trying to make that work. This was so simple yet so helpful.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thanks so much, Keith! It's really helpful. C = curve, x = maya grid, v = vertex. so you just have to play around and see what works. :) Thank you for your comment!

[@keithyakouboff8755]

@@AcademicPhoenixPlus Thank you for your work on our behalf.

[@火焰十字交叉斩]

This is a very traditional solution

[@emeraudebenina3485]

I always go back to this videos but it doesn’t work anymore 😩 I can’t manage to make the polygon extrude on the curve, it’s been months and I still can’t find a way

[@maxwellwilliams2508]

I know this is an old video, but it's my holy grail and every year or so i come back to remind myself how to do this. My only issue now is that, after years of using this with no issue, i've recently upgraded to maya 2022 and come upon a new issue... When extruding, both ends of the curve connect themselves for some reason. I've tried a few things to fix this and nothing has stopped it, I can delete the parts that have connected but they still cause issues and the ends throw tantrums later along the track. Has anyone else had this issue or have any idea what's causing it/how to fix it?

[@Bosko2k]

You are the best!

[@akashsuryawanshi5616]

thank you so much for this video. it really helped me.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Glad it helped! Thank you for watching :)

[@RenauDesign]

Thank you for your video, exactly what i was looking for :)

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful. :)

[@zulfikarali8392]

Very helpful ❤

[@cub1926]

Thanks it was really helpful

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Glad it helped! 😄

[@miroslavkraus1242]

thx much, i was looking exactly for this

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Awesome! Glad it helped. :)

[@jameskay3119]

Your videos and tutorials are so helpful and perfect for quick learning lessons. I am wondering though could you do he same thing with a circular plane instead of deleting all those faces off of a cylinder? Also, can/should you delete the curb from the cylinder or would that mess up the mesh?

[@Govi627]

This is so much easier in max, is this really the best way to do it in maya?

[@raajprithvivasu]

useful thank you monica

[@poissondesctasy1783]

really good tutorials

[@knowledge3D770]

its really helpful Thanks For Such A Good Tutorial (Y)

[@silverkingdomdude]

hmm, clicking see and middle mouse doesn't seem to let it clip to my curve, is this a new version issue or is something just up with my method?

[@belle7733]

Same, when I extrude the faces it doesn’t extrude along the curve, i used to work with this method some time ago and it worked perfectly but it doesn’t work anymore

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Hi Silver, Yes, this is one of the challenging parts. You have to hold down 'c', then middle mouse click and drag. so don't let go of the click (click and drag). It's a great shortcut... when it works. Hope that helps!

[@Katia-dh8hc]

Thank you, very good instruction, it worked for me, I am recreating the scene from Back to the Future when Doc to catch the lightning, so I use this tutorial to create that cable which was used to catch the lightening

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

That sounds really cool! Good luck in your scene Katia

[@naumanhaider80]

that is helpful thanks for this tutorial

[@lego1168]

Does this method still work, it seems to know be broken in multiple parts in current may.

[@simgamedev6423]

Your tutorials are always clear and straight to the point!

[@krishnasrivastav8048]

Very helpful video mam

[@nadinegovers7857]

Hi, great tutorial! Although I am doing something wrong. After I've selected the face and the curve and try to extrude it, the face doesn't automatically snap to the other end of the curve. When I extrude it it just extends in a straight line and doesn't follow the curve, any idea what I am doing wrong? It's really frustrating because I feel like I'm following every step haha.

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

It could be that the beginning of the curve is reverse. Try selecting the curve>Reverse Direction (all the way at the bottom). Hopefully that fixes it!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Please see above. :)

[@nadinegovers7857]

@@AcademicPhoenixPlus Thanks for the reply! I'm going to give it another go next week.

[@pearlkim8924]

I'm using Maya 2020 now, how I solved this problem:
1. select both of them in "object mode"
2. hold right-click on the circle plane and choose multi
3. select the face
Hopefully that helps future people as well :D

[@MeguMegu1703]

@@pearlkim8924 I am very grateful because this is very helpful :')

[@sephirothsbigasssword9887]

Ugh her mind an absolute queen of Maya purrr✨💅❤️🌈💕💕💕

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

💕💕

[@mohamedraouf5514]

nicely done as usual

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@LombaxOttsel]

This doesn't seem to be working for me. I'm having trouble snapping the geometry to the wire, but when extruding, it is not cleanly attaching to the other end of the curve. It also makes a very weird shape when trying to insert more edge loops.

[@kokosbaeuerin]

Thank you! :)

[@karradivi]

This was of great help! Thanks a lot!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

You are very welcome Karr! Glad it worked out for you!

[@sahajsopyarecipies1270]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻👌👌👌👸🏻👸🏻

[@DennoDev]

Awesome!

[@doodlejordie7176]

This was really helpful, Thankyou 🐦☺

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thanks Doodle! :D

[@PaulEliasz]

Perfect!!!

[@andriicgi]

Thank you so much! It's helps a lot!

[@sillyninja65]

modelling increased to 100

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Nice!

[@Silver_36]

I select face, then I try to shift click on the curve and it wont let me? Maybe cause the latest version is different ?

[@lokapormusik]

Nice tutorial! but I also have a question regarding curves, is there a way to resume an ep curve after you accidentally deselected it or something? I've tried searching for an answer but I haven't found any. I want to resume a curve but Maya just creates a different curve :/

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Yes, you can still manipulate the curve! I go over it a bit further in the video, around 6:52: th-cam.com/video/4igTVJOEJw0/w-d-xo.html

[@nickd6468]

Awesome vids :) great tutor!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Thank you!!

[@milagroswarnholtz2137]

U SAVED MEEEEEEE THANK YOUUUUUUU

[@SaiArts2000]

🤩 Thank you

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

You’re welcome 😊

[@shadowcasterstudios4042]

AWESOME!!!!
YOU ROCK

[@seaofaether]

I have Extrude not working.(ctrl+E)
Only surface is created, not extrude along the line.(I have both selected)
What option did you choose?

[@omarkhaled3d63]

thank you so much

[@naumanhaider80]

and by the way i am using maya 2020 and holding c and pressing the middle mouse to drag the object. its not working. The object is just moving along Y axis not on the curve. I have tried everything like isolate both objects and unhide the grid but it is not working..Plz help me bcoz its getting frustrated.....BTW i followed n subscribed u. U are the best...

[@Steffelus]

Very helpful, Thank you!

[@SoWhySoSirious]

Suuuuuper helpful. Thanks!

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

You are very welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@alejandro0116]

help, when I select the face then I can't select the path and the extrude don´t happend

[@C-Rex1]

This really helped me a lot! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

Awesome! You are very welcome, Daniel. :)

[@lego1168]

When I select the grey face it also selects the black face, do you know how to get it not to do that?

[@AcademicPhoenixPlus]

The black face is the opposite side of the grey face. It's the same face, except the normal is pointing on one direction. If you select a face, and the other side is selected, it's the same face. I hope that makes sense!

[@dr.football4662]

I am doing the exact thing but my pipe is not forming a full cylinder some faces are missing. What should I do can someone please help