Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
This lets you zoom into sections of the timeline, which makes adjusting keyframes
and timing much easier, especially in long animations. When you zoom into a particular
section of your time frame, the Time slider displays only the frames and keyframes for
that portion, making it easier to read.
To the right of the Range slider are the Character Set Selection menu (which deals
with the automation of character-animated objects), the Auto Keyframe button (which
sets a keyframe automatically when an animated value is changed), and the Animation
Preferences button. You'll ind information about these features later in this topic.
Command Line/Help Line
Maya Embedded Language (MEL) is the user-accessible programming language of Maya.
Every action you take invokes a MEL command or script that runs that particular func-
tion. You can write your own commands or scripts using either the Command line or
the Script Editor. Use the Command line (see Figure 3.9) to enter single MEL commands
directly from the keyboard in the white text box portion of the bar. The Command line
also displays command feedback and messages from the program in the gray portion of
the bar. Try entering the following into this box: sphere . A new sphere should pop up in
your Maya panels. You've created a basic sphere using the MEL command. To delete it,
click it to select it, and then press Delete.
Toggle between MEL and Python scripting
Script Editor button
Figure 3.9
The Command line
and the Help line
Help line
Command line
Command feedback
o pening the attribute e ditor in i ts o wn w indow
o pening the attribute e ditor in i ts o wn w indow
By default, the Attribute Editor opens in the right side
of the UI area of the screen when you start Maya. The
preferred coniguration in this topic is to open the
Attribute Editor as a separate window instead. To fol-
low along in this topic, you'll want this coniguration.
To configure the Attribute Editor to open in its own
window, choose Window Settings/Preferences
Preferences to open the Preferences dialog box.
Under the Interface UI Elements heading, uncheck
the Attribute Editor and Tool Settings check boxes in
the Editor in Main Window section, as shown here.
If any of your screen elements are missing, you can
toggle them on and off through this dialog box.
By default, the Attribute Editor opens in the right side
of the UI area of the screen when you start Maya. The
preferred coniguration in this topic is to open the
Attribute Editor as a separate window instead. To fol-
low along in this topic, you'll want this coniguration.
To configure the Attribute Editor to open in its own
window, choose Window Settings/Preferences
Preferences to open the Preferences dialog box.
Under the Interface UI Elements heading, uncheck
the Attribute Editor and Tool Settings check boxes in
the Editor in Main Window section, as shown here.
If any of your screen elements are missing, you can
toggle them on and off through this dialog box.
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