Q&A


 * Q: I can't see any Inputs in the Channel Box when I create a new object, so I can't change the divisions or dimensions. Where has that section gone? **


 * A: Check that Construction History is turned on. Depending on the version of Maya the icon will be on the status line and look like either a scroll, or a page with a clock.**




 * Q: Part of my interface is gone! How do I get back my tools, timeline, shelves, menus etc. **


 * A: The fastest way is to hit Ctrl+Space once or twice. That will get everything back. Or for individual elements, Display > UI Elements > [whatever].**


 * If your main menus are gone, Ctrl+m to toggle those on and off.**
 * Panel menus: Shift+m**
 * Panel icons: Ctrl+Shift+m**


 * Q: I've smoothed my model using Mesh > Smooth, but now I want to get back to the original. How? **


 * A: If you can't undo (e.g. saved and closed), you can revert back to the original by changing the divisions to 0 in the smooth node under Inputs in the Channel Box. You can also delete this smooth node in the hypergraph if you wish. If you never had construction history on (this is not advisable) or you've deleted history, I'm afraid you might be out of luck.**


 * If you have Maya 2008 or later, use the 3 key to perform a smooth preview, which is not an actual operation on the mesh (hence undo doesn't work on it). To get back to the "unsmoothed" just hit 1 on the keyboard. Mental ray from 2009 (?) onwards has the ability to render out a smooth preview.**


 * In most cases, smooth preview (3) is preferable to mesh > smooth, since it doesn't actually change the mesh itself.**




 * Q: Why can't I see Mental Ray as an available renderer? Where did it go? **


 * A: It might not be loaded. Open the Plug-in Manager (Window>Settings/Preferences> Plug-in Manager). Check Loaded and Auto-load beside "Mayatomr.mll" (it doesn't look like mental ray, but it is).**




 * Move UV Shell Tool** Double-click on its button/icon (2nd icon, top row of the UV Texture Editor) to open it's options.

turn off "Prevent Overlap"

To Move Plane > Channel Box/Layer Editor > Change Image Center Z by holding the Middle Button on the mouse and dragging.