Switch operations between actions and tools
 
 
 

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).

You can distinguish tools from actions by the names of menu items. Tools have Tool in the menu entry title. Actions do not. For example, the Curve Editing Tool is a tool, but the Attach Curves menu item is an action.

If you change an action to a tool, Maya adds Tool to its name in the main menu and option window. If you change the tool back to an action, Tool is removed from the name. Regardless of whether a feature is a tool or action, the order in which you select objects or components stays the same.

Option windows for tools and actions include an Edit option menu at the top of the window that allows you to pick between tool and action modes. Currently, only actions can be switched to tool mode. Therefore, for tools (for example, Birail Surface Tool), the Edit option menu is disabled.

To change actions to tools throughout Maya

  1. Select Window > Settings/Preferences > Preferences.
  2. In the Categories list of the Preferences window, click Modeling, then turn on Everything is a Tool.

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

  1. Open the item’s options window and select Edit > As Tool.
  2. To return to action-based behavior, select Edit > As Action.

    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.

Tool options

If you change an action to a tool, the options window for that tool displays two extra options: