Maya beginner tips welcomed

[ludwrathjd]

Hi, well I'm new to these forums and have been teaching myself Maya for a while. Anyway I am working on a project that requires me to make humanoid like things that represent the classes in chess. I.E. Pawns, rooks, knights etc. Anyway I have begun the Pawn and here is what I have so far. Im deffinately not a pro yet and would be open to suggestions and tips and stuff.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/Thundersong/pawnwithchest4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/Thundersong/pawnwithchest1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/Thundersong/PawnSIDE1.jpg
The helmet was done with subdiv, and the chest in polygon. I may have to do the chest all over in subdiv. Again I'd like some good suggestions from any experienced modelers.:)

[Erebr]

Hi, well I'm new to these forums and have been teaching myself Maya for a while. Anyway I am working on a project that requires me to make humanoid like things that represent the classes in chess. I.E. Pawns, rooks, knights etc. Anyway I have begun the Pawn and here is what I have so far. Im deffinately not a pro yet and would be open to suggestions and tips and stuff.

The helmet was done with subdiv, and the chest in polygon. I may have to do the chest all over in subdiv. Again I'd like some good suggestions from any experienced modelers.:)

Stick a base on it? Most chess pieces I've seen have some kind of base.
Example:
http://www.chesscentral.com/sets-pieces-chess/staunton-chess-pieces-images/ReykjavikN.jpg

I really like the curves and the sharp edge on your piece. I think you should definitely continue the theme by making the chest subd'd/smooth as well.

Also, if you are doing this in Maya, you should know that a subdiv is kindof an extention of a polygon surface. You would not need to redo the chest in subdiv again. Just go to Modify -> convert -> Polygons to Subdivs and click the option box. You probably don't want to keep the original (keeps a duplicate copy of the mesh), so uncheck it if it's checked. Viola, you should have the sub D version of your polygon mesh.

And also just in case you don't know... if you are working with a subdivision model, you can work on it in polygon proxy mode (modelling menu set -> subdivision menu -> polygon proxy mode, click standard mode to remove the polygon overlay) and turn off and on the display of subdivision surfaces (in the main window, show -> check/uncheck subdivision surfaces) if you prefer working in polygons. I believe all or most of the standard polygon tools work just fine on the polygon proxy. Do your tweaks, and turn it on every now and then to see what it looks like.