How to Select Tools in Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya makes creating incredible animation available to any person with basic computer skills and a decent imagination. Before a person can create this animation he or she needs to understand some of the basic utilities in Autodesk Maya. One such basic utility is the ability to select tools. Upon learning this skill a person can then begin to experience and utilize the full range of Autodesk Maya software platform. Read on to learn how to select tools in Autodesk Maya.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Open the Autodesk Maya software. Select "Start" from the main operating system menu of your computer. Then, choose "Programs" or "All Programs" from the start menu. Next, click on "Autodesk" from the programs menu options. Finally, choose "Autodesk Maya" on the Autodesk menu to open the software.

2. Pick which particular form or object you want use the tools on. In the Autodesk Maya software, you can't use a tool until there is some object drawn onto the scene grid. If you try to select and use a tool without an object on the grid it will display the function, but as soon as you release the mouse it will disappear.

3. Make the tool bar visible by clicking on the "Display" menu option on the main system menu. Then, choose "UI Elements" from the display and select the "Tool Box" option from that menu to make the tool bar visible.

4. Select any tool in Autodesk Maya from the left menu panel. Make sure there is an object on the grid on which you can use the particular tool. Understand that some tools will not work on certain objects or models if that particular is not applicable.