Maya makes a distinction between tools and actions. For example, many items under the Edit Curves, Surfaces, and Edit NURBS menus can be converted from actions to tools (or vice versa).
See Selection, tools, and actions for more information.
To change actions to tools throughout Maya
Afterwards, you’ll notice more NURBS menu items have Tool in their names. To return to action-based behavior, turn on Everything is an Action in the same Preferences window.
If you turn on Mixed, a setting within each option box specifies whether the menu item is a tool or action.
To convert a single menu item from an action to a tool
If the options window doesn’t have an Edit menu or the As Tool and As Action items are dim, the action (or tool) can’t be converted.
The setting in the Options window takes precedence over the Preferences window. Changing from actions to tools or vice versa works immediately.
When you use an action converted to a tool, Maya sets an object and component selection mask appropriate for the tool. Maya returns to the prior selection mask after you finish using the tool.
If you change an action to a tool, the options window for that tool displays two extra options:
If this option is off, Maya’s focus remains on the tool after you finish using it. You can use the tool repeatedly without selecting it again.
If this option is on, Maya exits the tool. The following menu items, when used as tools, have Exit Upon Completion as the default option.
All other tools, including actions converted to tools, use Auto Completion as the default.
If this option is on, you don’t have to press Enter (Linux® and Microsoft® Windows®) or Return (Apple® Mac OS® X) to finish a modeling task. The tool completes its task as soon as you select enough objects or components.
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