How to Cheat Maya - Chapter 7

Setting up your Maya file

• Create Reference is similar to 3dsMax's Merge in File.
• Go to File > Create Reference and select Rig file to reference into your scene.
• Create a Camera and go into Camera View
• Go to to Create > Camera, then rename it.
• Go in the Panels menu of your viewport, then Perspective and select the camera you created.
• Turn on the Gates
• Show safe frame in Max is the same in Maya.
• Press the Film Game Button found next to Grid button on the toolbar.
• Create a Quick Selection Set
• Select all the objects you want to group up in a selection set.
• Go to Create > Set > Quick Selection Sets
• A Shelf Button will appear for you to name your selection set.
• To Delete a Selection Set you have to go to the Outline.
• Go to Window > Outline
• Select selection sets and delete.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• The best way to move keys around is to use the dope sheet.
• Go to Window > Animation Editors > Dopesheet
• In the dope sheet, set the filters to show Scene Summary.
• Select Keys and move them around.
• Manipulate the Manipulator
• When you want to select an object's x and y axis, and not z, then hold down control and select Z.

 I found it easier if you Edit your own (userHotkeys) and set it to read only, other wise Maya will save over it with defaults and screw up your hotkeys.

Maya - Constrains

• Moving Pivot - Hold down [insert], select and move pivot.
• Parent objects - Select Child shift select parent then press [P].

Constrain

• Position - Select Parent first, then child, drop-down tab (Constrain - Point)
• Maintain Offset - Select Parent / Child (Point Options) Press [Add]
• Rotation - Select Parent first, then child, drop-down tab (Constrain - Orent)
• Pos / Rot - Select Parent first, then child, drop-down tab (Constrain - Parent)
• UnConstrain - Select all objects, drop-down (Constrain - Remove Target)

Constrain Multiple objects and animate

• You can constrain the child to multiple parents, then adjust the weighting to favored which side to follow.
• Link the child to both parents with Zero Offsets.
• The child will favor both sides 50/50, but you can adjust the wight in the channel box.
• And you can animate the weights by right clicking weight constrain, and set key.

Constrain Props to characters

• Its best to create a Locator "kinda like a dummy box in max" and use it for more flexibility.
• Locator - drop-down tab (Create - Locator) then align it to prop.
• Link the locator to the character, during the contact points in the animation.
• Parent Constrain the prop to Locator.
• If your animation is popping, then try to set a rest position on the frame before or after the pop.

Damn I spent the whole day trying to fix Maya's Hot Key bug.

• When ever I make a change it reverts back to default at some point.
• Here is a fix I found on a website
• http://www.the-area.com/forum/autodesk-maya/autodesk-maya-2012/maya-2012-hotkeys-swap-to-default/
• Went with option 2.