By default, when you select a surface mesh Maya displays all of the UVs for that mesh in the UV Texture Editor.

You can switch the UV Texture Editor between displaying all of the UVs for the current set and only showing a selected subset in isolation. This makes it easier to work on part of the model without disturbing or accidentally selecting other UVs.

To isolate a specific subset of UVs

1. In the UV Texture Editor, if you already have a subset of UVs isolated, click the Remove all button on the toolbar.

   Alternatively, choose View > Isolate Select > Remove All.

2. Select the UVs you want to isolate.
3. Click the Toggle isolate select mode button on the toolbar, or choose View > Isolate Select > View Set.

   To switch back to showing all UVs, click Toggle isolation again, or turn off the View > Isolate Select > View Set menu item.

To add to the isolated subset of UVs

1. In the UV Texture Editor, click the Toggle isolate select mode button on the toolbar to switch back to showing all UVs.

   Alternatively, choose View > Isolate Select > View Set.

2. Select the UVs you want to add to the isolated subset.
3. Click the Add selected button on the toolbar.

   Alternatively, choose View > Isolate Select > Add Selected.

To remove UVs from the isolated subset

1. In the UV Texture Editor, select the UVs you want to remove from the isolated subset.
2. Click the Remove selected from isolation button on the toolbar.

   Alternatively, choose View > Isolate Select > Remove Selected.

To display only the UVs that have the current image assigned

1. Show the texture (in the UV Texture Editor, choose Image > Display Image). If more than one texture is associated with the mesh, select the texture you want to work on using the Textures menu.

   When you are in component selection mode, the Textures menu lists shading groups assigned to the selected components. In object selection mode, the menu lists all shading groups assigned to the entire mesh.

2. To only show faces with the current image assigned, in the UV Texture Editor turn on View > View Faces of Selected Images.
3. To show all faces again, turn off View > View Faces of Selected Images.

To display only the faces inside the selected UVs or edges

1. Select UVs or edges to define a border.
2. In the UV Texture Editor, turn on View > Contained Faces.
3. To show all faces again, turn off View > Contained Faces.

To display only the faces that share the selected UVs or edges

1. Select UVs or edges.
2. In the UV Texture Editor, turn on View > Connected Faces.
3. To show all faces again, turn off View > Connected Faces.