When creating a new project, you can use the default locations and names that Maya generates by default, or you can specify custom ones. You can also create new file rules to specify custom data locations for custom files. See Create custom data locations.

To start a new project

1. Select File > Project Window.

   The Project Window appears.

2. Click New.

   Maya populates the Project Window with default project locations and names.

   NoteYou can clear all of the currently set project locations by selecting Edit > Clear Settings from the Project Window. To restore the default project locations, select Edit > Reset Settings.
3. Type the name of your new project in the Current Project text box.
4. Click the browse icon to the right of Location, and then specify a location for your project directory.

   This location is known as the project root directory. You can use this location for primary and secondary project locations and any other locations you add to your project.

5. To change the directory of a primary project location, click the browse icon at the end of its text field, and then specify a new directory.

   Otherwise, the Primary Project Locations are added to the specified projects root Location.

6. To change the directory of a secondary or translator data location, select Edit, click the browse icon at the end of its text field, and then specify a new directory.

   Otherwise, the Secondary Project Locations are added to the specified projects root Location.

7. Click Accept to save your changes and close the Project Window.

   After you click Accept, Maya creates the project directories and sub-directories if they don't already exist.

To toggle between nice names and file rule names

1. In the Project Window, select Edit and then select one of the following:
   • View in Nice Names
   • View in File Rule Names

   The Project Window updates the display of your project locations.