Creating a 3D Object Using Maya (Part One)

As a fun little project, I set myself the task of learning how to create a 3D model within an application called Autodesk Maya with the help of Daniel (a link to his portfolio can be found here) , a second year student studying Creative Computer Games Design. The design of my 3D Model has been based on the creations found on the PopAPup website as shown below:

After opening the application we started with a basic cube shape, taking this shape we were able to insert 'edge loops' which would allow us to sculpt more detail into the model. Taking the newly created faces from the edge loops we then selected them and 'extruded' them outwards to create the feet of the PopAPup Model.We repeated this process in other areas of the model to create the ears, whiskers and tail. This was the outcome of the model:

As you can see the ears, whiskers and feet are not clearly defined and are shown as blocks, however these will be drawn onto the model later using a 'texture'.
For the next step we had to prepare the 3D model by projecting the 3D image into a 2D space by 'unwrapping' it so that it could be drawn on using a photo editing program, this basically resembles folding a paper block into shape. This process can be shown below:

This was done by taking each side of the model and 'planar mapping' it onto the UV Texture Editor. Taking these pieces we then 'sew UV's'  together to create a shape that looks like it could be folded and put together to represent the 3D version of the model. This is called a UV and can be taken into Photoshop that can be drawn on to then create a texture for the model.