The keyboard shortcut to get into Component mode is to press F8 (Fn+F8 on Mac). We will ignore the UV option until Lesson 4. Multi Component is a mode unique to the toolkit that lets you select any of the middle three types. From left to right they are: Object Mode, Vertices, Edges, Faces, and UV. Selecting any of the middle 3, or theīig Multi-Component button will enter you into component mode. The one on the far left represents object mode, what you have been working in so far. You will see a series of buttons that represent the different geometry types. To get into Component mode, open the Modeling toolkit and look at the top section. While Object mode lets you move objects about in space, Component mode lets you move the parts that make up those objects. You will switch between modes often, but there are several quick ways to do so. To manipulate these components, you need to enter Component mode. Moving a face will likewise move all vertices around the face. If you move an edge, both vertices will move with it. These polygon objects are all intertwined, as you can see: If you move a vertex, any edges connected to (defined by) that vertex, and any faces connected to it, will move as well. Face: An enclosed polygon defined by three or more edges.Edge: A line defined between two vertices.Vertex: A one-dimensional point in space, also known as a point in Maya.What these components are depends on what type of object they come from.Ī polygon object consists of vertices, faces, and edges: Open it nowĪnd take a quick look, but don't worry if it doesn't make a whole lot of sense yet.Īny model in Maya is made from smaller pieces known as components. Modeling, so over the course of Lessons 2 and 3, I will frequently be referencing this tab. Or other shortcuts, but Autodesk is clearly focusing on making this the central location for polygon All of the information here can be accessed via the menus The toolkit contains a combination of selection, manipulation, and editing tools, as well as easyĪccess to some tool settings and preferences. Subtracting, subdividing, mirroring, combining, smoothing polygons and more, until we get to the finalīefore we start this lesson, make sure you have selected Modeling from the top left drop down menu so that the relevant menus and tools will be visible. We can manipulate the shapes of our polygons far beyond the basic primitive forms: adding and

NURBS, but it uses are somewhat limited to industrial modeling and character rigging purposes, so we There is another type of geometry based off of smooth curves and surfaces called Together form approximations of smooth surfaces and have extremely flexible arrangements to suitĪlmost any need. Polygonal geometry is made up of vertices and faces, and the edges between them. The most common type of geometry used in Maya is polygonal geometry. Booleans provide great shortcuts, but bear in mind that they can be less efficient, and more funky, in their output.

Maya select every other edge