Datasheet

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Part I ✦ Learning the Max Interface
Gaining quick access with the right-click quadmenus
Quadmenus are pop-up menus with up to four separate sections that surround the cursor, as
shown in Figure 1-16. Right-clicking in the active viewport opens these quadmenus. The con-
tents of the menus depend on the object selected.
Many of the real pros use quadmenus extensively. One of the reasons they do is because
they can access the commands from the mouse’s current location using a couple of clicks
without having to go all the way to the Command Panel to click a button.
Clicking with the left mouse button away from the quadmenu closes the quadmenu. For each
menu, the last menu item selected is displayed in blue. To quickly access the blue menu item
again, simply click the gray-shaded bar. Using Customize ➪ Customize User Interface, you can
specify which commands appear on the quadmenus, but the default options have just about
everything you need.
Figure 1-16: Quadmenus contain a host of commands in an easily accessible location.
Understanding the button color cues
Max’s interface uses color cues to help remind you of the current mode. When a button is yel-
low, it warns that it has control of the interface. For example, if one of the select buttons is
selected, it turns yellow and any dragging in the viewport affects the object; however, if one
of the Viewport Navigation Control buttons is selected, it turns yellow and dragging the view-
port changes the view. Knowing what the current mode is at all times can keep you out of
trouble.
Tip
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