To ensure the lessons work as described, do the following:

1. Consider doing the lessons in the Rendering section of this guide. Familiarity with Maya rendering concepts is important to understanding the following lessons.
2. 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.
3. Select File > Set Project and set the GettingStartedMaya2012LessonData\Paint directory as your Maya project. For more information, see Downloading the lesson files and setting the Maya project.
4. Select File > New Scene to create a new scene.
5. To use all available screen space, maximize the Maya window.
6. From a panel menu bar, select Panels > Layouts > Single Pane.
7. Select the Rendering menu set. Unless otherwise noted, the directions in this chapter assume the Rendering menu set is selected.