Maya: 3D Text

There was a time when I try to model each letter one by one.............but!
Today I learned how to created a 3D text in Maya without modeling

First I want to used a new font in this practice I will be using Hasty Pudding font

it it very simple you have to go to
Create > Text > option (box)

Then you will get this window

Here you will insert your desired text and select font, size and Type.

I used font called Hasty Pudding and size 48 so I can clearly see the text, it can always be re-size later, and Curves type. Then click create.

Here is my result:

I learn that the Maya (and most program will make the object as simple as possible to conserve space so that is why shape is all edgy and that why background detail and less important thing are not smoothed out to save space)

By selecting Curve type The text are created with NURBS curves so there are more space conservative because it is not make up of face and take less space. It is appropriated when the etxt is not the main attraction or the detail is too small to be notice, but however curves cannot be render.

So now we going to make it 3D looking. You and change the type to Bevel and more option will appear. 

• Created bevel - Choose where will the bevel take place.This will tell Maya if you only want to bevel to the front (at start) or back (at end) or in both direction.                                                     
• Bevel width -  Width of the edge of the bevel.                                                                                          
• Bevel depth -  depth of the edge of bevel.                                                                                            
• Extrude distance - How thick is the letter.                                                                                               
• Outer Bevel style - The style of bevel on the outer line of the letter                                                       
• Inner Bevel style -    the style of bevel on the inner line of the letter                       

After increase the value of each attribute (randomly) I got this:

Now it is no longer flat and 2D, but wait! this line of text using up 14604 faces! Which is a lot. To save some space we can reduce the number of faces 

To do that we must first separate all the letter so nothing go wrong when reducing faces.

select the text > make sure you are in polygon mode > Mesh > Separate

now all the letters should stand on it own and not all attach to each other.

now we will use reduce tool: Mesh  >  Reduce > option (box)

Make sure you don't reduce too much or some part can be distorted (see how the end of the X is a bit difference) 

This is 20% reduction now we only have 11212 face may not be a lot but it will add up. There also other method to save more space (I just don't know it yet )

And that is how you create test in maya and save up some faces. 

12/27/14 ^ - ^