Mainframe North’s Ian Waters demonstrates how to use Maya’s new SVG import feature to create a simple globe. Really this is something that is super simple in other applications, but new to Maya. Previous to the SVG import feature, it was very difficult to work with vector artwork such as Illustrator or SVG files as a starting point for 3D objects.

The issue was how Maya created the 3D bevels for type and vector shapes, often failing or resulting in unwanted polygons that were flying off into space.

This has all changed with the Maya 2016 extension release which introduced a new SGV import routine along with new type tools. The SVG import in Maya works much better, allowing you to better manage how the object is created in 3D.

Here, Ian walks through how to create a simple globe using the SVG import. Although the steps for creating the globe are really simple, the gold in the explanation is what the SVG tools are doing, and how to better manage the polygons for the end result.