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Chapter 1 ✦ Finding Your Way — Exploring the Max Interface
Figure 1-1: Max includes five main interface elements.
In addition to these default elements are several additional interface elements that you will
find useful. These controls aren’t initially visible when Max is first loaded, but they can be
accessed by working with the interface. These additional interface elements include the
following:
✦ Floating toolbars: Several toolbars are available as floating toolbars by default, but you
can create more if you like. You access them by choosing Customize ➪ Show UI ➪ Show
Floating Toolbars or by selecting them from the toolbar’s right-click pop-up menu.
✦ Quadmenus: Right-clicking on the active viewport makes a pop-up menu with up to
four panes appear. This is called a quadmenu. Quadmenus offer context-sensitive com-
mands based on the object or location being clicked.
✦ Dialog boxes and editors: Some commands open a separate window of controls. These
dialog boxes may contain their own menus, toolbars, and interface elements. A good
example of this element is the Material Editor, which has enough controls to keep you
busy for a while.
Main toolbar Menus Command Panel
Docked toolbar Lower Interface Bar Viewports
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