To ensure the lessons work as described, do these steps before beginning:

1. If you have not already done so, download the lesson files from http://www.autodesk.com/maya-tutorials. Copy the Getting Started 2012 Lesson Files zip file to your local drive and unzip the folder.
2. Create a new project as follows:
   • Select File > Project Window and click the New button.
   • Click the folder icon in the Location field to navigate to the GettingStartedMaya2012LessonData folder so that the project you create will be saved within this folder.
   • Enter Expressions under Current Project.
   • Click Accept.

   The Expressions project has now been created.

3. Select File > New Scene to create a new scene.
4. Select Window > Settings/Preferences > Preferences and do the following:.
   • Click the Settings category and set the Time option to Film (24 fps) so your animation plays at the default rate of 24 frames per second.
   • Click the Time Slider category and enter 0 and 300 for the Playback Start/End values. (Press the Enter (Windows and Linux) or Return (Mac OS X) as necessary.)
   • Set the Playback Speed to Play every frame.
   • Click Save in the Preferences window.

   At this playback speed and frame range, the animation results of the expressions you’ll create in the lessons will be easier to examine and understand.

5. With the pointer in the perspective view, press 5 (for Shading > Smooth Shade All). It’s easier to see the expression effects on shaded objects than wireframe objects in the following lessons.