Introducing Maya 2009 is a Maya Press title -- a cooperative publication between Sybex and Autodesk -- that teaches the Maya interface and the basics of modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. The expository text is reinforced with step-by-step tutorials. Maya professional and instructor Dariush Derakhshani leads readers through the nuances of the complex software without over-explaining or over-simplifying. The tutorials offer realistic, professional challenges for those new to 3D, and to those coming from another 3D application. 1. Introduction to Computer Graphics and 3D 2. Jumping In Headfirst, With Both Feet 3. The Maya 2009 Interface 4. Beginning Polygonal Modeling 5. Modeling with Nurbs, Subdivisions, and Deformers 6. Building the Red Wagon 7. Maya Shading and Texturing 8. Introduction to Animation 9. More Animation! 10. Maya Lighting 11. Maya Rendering 12. Maya Dynamics