Modeling SpongeBob in Maya 3D

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PART 1: Scene Setup & Image Planes

1.1 Start a New Scene

• Open Maya.

• Go to File ▸ New Scene.

1.2 Set Project Scale

• Open Windows ▸ Settings/Preferences ▸ Preferences.

• Under Settings, set:

  • Working Units → Linear: centimeters.

• Click Save.

1.3 Setup Viewports

• Press spacebar to open the Four Viewports: Top, Front, Side, Perspective.

• Use Panel menu > Orthographic > Front to open the Front View fully.

1.4 Import Image Planes

Front Image:

• Go to View (in Front view panel) ▸ Image Plane ▸ Import Image.

• Select the front reference image (e.g., spongebob_front.png).

Side Image:

• Switch to Side View → View ▸ Image Plane ▸ Import Image.

• Select the side reference image (e.g., spongebob_side.png).

1.5 Adjust Image Plane Position & Transparency

• Select each image plane → press Ctrl + A to open Attribute Editor.

• In imagePlaneShape tab:

  • Set Alpha Gain to 0.3 (makes image translucent).

  • Adjust Depth so the image appears behind the modeling grid (e.g., Depth = -10).

Tip: Use the Channel Box to position the image planes at correct locations:

• Front plane: X = 0, Z = -10.

• Side plane: X = -10, Z = 0.

1.6 Lock Reference Images

• Create a new layer in the Channel Box → Add image planes to this layer → click R (Reference) to lock them.

PART 2: Model SpongeBob's Body

2.1 Create a Polygon Cube

• Go to Create ▸ Polygon Primitives ▸ Cube.

• Set the cube size roughly:

  • Width: 10 cm

  • Height: 14 cm

  • Depth: 4 cm

• Press R to scale or use Channel Box.

2.2 Add Subdivisions

• With the cube selected:

  • In the Channel Box, set:

    • Subdivisions Width: 5

    • Subdivisions Height: 6

    • Subdivisions Depth: 3

2.3 Match the Front and Side View Silhouettes

• Use right-click ▸ Vertex, enter component mode.

• Use Move Tool (W) and Soft Selection (press B) to shape the cube:

  • Front view: match eyes, mouth, tie position.

  • Side view: shape the curve of his back and front body bulge.

PART 3: Model Legs, Arms, Eyes, and Clothes

3.1 Legs (Cylinders)

• Create ▸ Polygon Primitives ▸ Cylinder

  • Radius: 0.3

  • Height: 4–5

• Rotate and place at the bottom of SpongeBob's body.

• Use Insert Edge Loop to add 1–2 loops for slight bends.

3.2 Shoes (Boxes/Spheres)

• Create a sphere or cube for each shoe.

• Scale and shape them into simple cartoon shoes.

• Position and parent to each leg.

3.3 Arms (Cylinders)

• Same as legs, but thinner and shorter.

• Add edge loops to allow for bent elbow.

3.4 Hands (Simplified)

• Create a box or half-sphere for mitt-style hand.

• Add three stub fingers (small cylinders or extruded from palm).

PART 4: Model Eyes and Face Features

4.1 Eyes (Spheres)

• Create ▸ Polygon Primitives ▸ Sphere

  • Radius: ~1

• Place and duplicate for left and right eyes.

• Create smaller black flat disk for pupil using:

  • Polygon ▸ Cylinder → Scale in Z to flatten.

  • Place on eye surface.

4.2 Teeth

• Create two small boxes, place under upper lip area.

4.3 Nose and Cheeks

• Nose: Create a stretched sphere or extrude from face.

• Cheeks: Just extrude small areas and scale.

PART 5: Model Shirt, Pants, Tie

5.1 Shirt and Pants

• Add horizontal edge loop where shirt ends (use Insert Edge Loop).

• Select face ring below and Extrude outward slightly.

• Repeat for pants.

5.2 Belt

• Create a thin polygon strip (scaled cube or plane).

• Wrap around lower body.

• Model small belt holes using inset faces or cylinders.

5.3 Tie

• Use Polygon Plane or box.

• Shape into a diamond.

• Extrude a few sections for 3D look.

PART 6: Finalizing the Model

6.1 Combine All Pieces

• Select body, arms, legs, eyes, etc.

• Go to Mesh ▸ Combine.

• Select edges/vertices at junctions → Edit Mesh ▸ Merge to weld.

6.2 Add Thickness (if needed)

• For flat areas (shirt, tie), use Edit Mesh ▸ Extrude → Local Z to add thickness.

6.3 Smooth Preview

• Press 3 on the keyboard to preview the smoothed version.

• Use Insert Edge Loops to control smoothness (tight = sharp edge).

6.4 Hard/Soft Edges

• Select mesh → go to Mesh Display ▸ Soften/Harden Edges.

  • Use soft for curved areas (sponge body).

  • Use hard for flat edges (pants, shoes, belt).

6.5 Delete History

• Select all → Edit ▸ Delete by Type ▸ History.

6.6 Save Your Scene

• File ▸ Save Scene As → spongebob_model_v01.ma

Tools Used in This Tutorial