Complex UV Layout in Maya
Over the last couple of years UV layout in Maya has changed for the better. In this course we're going to be taking a look at some of those changes as we UV map an entire character
# 1 18-12-2014 , 06:47 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6

What is best set up for hotkeys?

I have 2 related questions regarding Maya hotkeys.

One... it seems the default hotkey arrangement from Maya doesn't map very many menu items. For example, a list of mappings for the "edit mesh" category shows only:
Ctrl Alt ... Press PolySpinEdgeForward
Ctrl Alt ... Press PolySpinEdgeBackward
but would it not make sense for default Maya to have hotkeys for frequently used mesh editing actions like insert or move edge loop tool? Are there simply not enough key combinations (even with ALT etc...) to cover even a restricted set of widely used tools? So Maya let's the user decide based on his/her Maya useage?

Two... rather than a new user setting up his/her own hotkeys based on personal taste, are there any "standard" mappings in the Maya community that a new Maya user is encouraged to use? For example, a suggested or standard hotkey arrangement for mesh editing?

Thanks ahead of time !!!

# 2 18-12-2014 , 07:55 PM
EduSciVis-er
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,374
You can definitely add as many or as few hotkeys as you want. Maya lets you customize whatever you like. I don't think there are enough hotkeys for everything, because the modelling commands are just a small part of what many people use Maya for. I would recommend trying out the modelling marking menus, because that can be almost as fast and much more intuitive than remembering a whole ton of hotkeys.

# 3 19-12-2014 , 01:37 AM
Gen's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: South FL
Posts: 3,522
I don't think there can really be such a thing as "standard Maya hotkey mappings" for several reasons like:

- Maya offers several different ways of accessing the tools other than hotkeys, a tool one user might prefer to map to a keyboard shortcut, another user could prefer to add it to a shelf, or marking menu or some kind of scripted toolbox or a HUD button even.

- There are going to be tools that people don't have in common because they use Maya for different purposes.

- Even if the end product is basically the same, people can have differing workflows and many instances the tools themselves are custom.

Well you see where I'm going with this. It really does come down to whatever you're comfortable with and what works. My personal setup uses custom marking menus that I can cycle through and they are also context sensitive. Trying to remember hotkeys for even half of that or having to skim through shelves would drive me insane.


- Genny
__________________
::|| My CG Blog ||::
::|| My Maya FAQ ||::
# 4 23-12-2014 , 12:51 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6
Thanks Genny and stwert. So I'm assuming out there in the real Maya work world if someone new joins a project they generally just import their hotkey setup file into the Maya installation they will be working with, or simply use their own Maya (though I would imagine if there is a lot of project file sharing going on you would generally be using their installation?)

Thanks again. By the way, speaking of thanks, on this forum, how do you "thank" people user added image

# 5 23-12-2014 , 02:10 PM
daverave's Avatar
The thin red line
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: England
Posts: 4,472
Thanks again. By the way, speaking of thanks, on this forum, how do you "thank" people user added image[/QUOTE]

There should be a thank you button on the reply from the person, no need to thank me for pointing out where the thank you button should be...........user added image.................dave




Avatar Challenge Winner 2010
# 6 24-12-2014 , 05:12 AM
Gen's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: South FL
Posts: 3,522
Maya defaults to looking for preferences in a user specific directory, totally separate from the actual Maya installation. You can even specify custom preferences locations with environment variables(maybe to a folder on a network for example).


- Genny
__________________
::|| My CG Blog ||::
::|| My Maya FAQ ||::
Posting Rules Forum Rules
You may not post new threads | You may not post replies | You may not post attachments | You may not edit your posts | BB code is On | Smilies are On | [IMG] code is On | HTML code is Off

Similar Threads