Datasheet

Part I ✦ Learning the Max Interface

Using the Viewports

The four viewports make up the largest area of the entire interface and provide a way of view-

ing the objects within the scene. Each of the viewports is configurable and can be unique

from the others.

Understanding how to work with the viewports is vital to accomplishing tasks with Max, so

viewports have an entire chapter dedicated just to them — Chapter 2, “Seeing It All — Working

with the Viewports.”

Using the Command Panel

If there is one place in Max, besides the viewports, where you’ll spend all your time, it’s the

Command Panel (at least until you’re comfortable enough with the quadmenus). The

Command Panel is located to the right of the viewports along the right edge of the interface.

This is where the object parameters, settings, and controls are located. The Command Panel

is split into six panels, each accessed via a tab icon located at its top. These six tabs are

Create, Modify, Hierarchy, Motion, Display, and Utilities.

You can pull away the Command Panel from the right window edge as a floating dialog box, as

shown in Figure 1-5, by clicking on the open space to the right of the tabbed icons at the top

of the Command Panel and dragging away from the interface edge. You can also dock it to the

left window edge, which is really handy if you’re left-handed. While it’s a floating panel, you

can resize the Command Panel by dragging on its edges or corners.

After you’ve pulled it away from the interface, you can re-dock it to its last position by dou-

ble-clicking on its title bar. You can also right-click on the title bar to access the pop-up menu

to Dock (either Left or Right), Float, Customize, or hide the Command Panel.

Figure 1-5: The Command Panel

includes six separate panels

accessed via tab icons.

Create

Modify

Hierarchy

Motion

Display

Utilities

Cross-

Reference

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