2009

Table Of Contents
Youve already learned the first item on the Status line: the Menu Selector
used to select between menu sets.
The second group of circled icons relate to the scene and are used to create,
open, and save your Maya scenes.
The third and fourth group of buttons are used to control how you can select
objects and components of objects. You will learn more about selection of
objects in later lessons.
The fifth group of icons are used to control the Snap Mode for objects and
components. You will begin to use these tools in a later lesson in this chapter.
The last section comprise three buttons that are used to show or hide editors,
including the Attribute Editor, Channel Box, Layer Editor, and Tool Settings.
The default display shows the Channel Box and the Layer Editor. When you
create an object, like the cube for example, information about that object
displays in these editors. You will learn how to use these editors later in this
chapter.
For better organization on the Status Line, all of the icon buttons are broken
into groups that you can expand and collapse, as shown.
Shelf
The Shelf is located directly below the Status line. The Maya Shelf is useful for
storing tools and items that you use frequently or have customized for your
own use. You can keep the tools and items you use most frequently in a
location that provides handy access. Maya has some of the Shelf items
pre-configured for your use.
22 | Chapter 2 Maya Basics