Research & Development for 3D & the Web

Image planes are very important when modelling something in 3D as it is by far the easiest way to ensure scaling is all correct. Ideally you want the ‘turn arounds’ of the character or object you are modelling.. I.E. A quick front on sketch, side on sketch and back view sketch (all to scale) similar to this one:

A rough, turn around sketch (to scale)

To add an Image Plane in Maya, you simply go (in the camera view port you want the image plane to be locked to) ‘View’ > ‘Image Plane’ and add one in there. You can also select existing ones here to adjust if need be.

Use Center X, Y, Z (not translate) for the translation along individual axes. Click on e.g. ‘Center X’ and move the cursor to the viewport and drag it to the right or left while holding down the middle button. It will activate the so-called “Virtual Slider” which is easier than entering in numbers in a trial & error format.

The Virtual Slider is relatively inaccurate, as it’s set to the highest speed by default. In the ‘Channelbox’ go to ‘Channels’ > ‘Settings’ >’ Slow’ to adjust this. You can also enable the ‘Hyperbolic’ obtion for a hyperbolic curve, but not sure what that does…

Use Width and Height for scaling the Image Plane. Change the Width and Height simultaneously to ensure that the scaling is proportional.

Here’s a You Tube Video I found from Andrew Klein.