Getting Started with Maya introduces the different areas of Maya in a set of brief lessons. The lessons are designed to let you learn these modules at your own pace.

If you are new to Maya, this guide gets you started on your learning path. If you are an existing user or are transitioning from another 3D software application, Getting Started with Maya provides a starting point for understanding features you haven’t yet had time to learn.

Getting Started with Maya is not meant to replace the documentation that comes with the Maya software. Only the commands and options used in the lessons are explained in this manual. You will find the Maya Help provides an excellent companion reference to the lessons and much more.

Many of the lessons in Getting Started with Maya contain one or more separate lessons that provide step-by-step instructions for creating or accomplishing specific tasks within Maya. You can follow the lessons in this guide from start to finish or complete only the lessons that correspond to your interests and needs.

We recommend that any new Maya user begin by completing the following:

• Viewing the Essential Skills Movies that are available when you first start Maya.
• Completing the Maya Basics lessons (Chapter 2) which introduce many fundamental concepts and skills related to the Maya user interface.

The version of Getting Started with Maya within the Maya Help also contains Apple^® QuickTime^® movies for some of the lessons.

To use the lessons from the Maya Help

1. In Maya, select Help > Tutorials.

   The Maya Help window displays the Getting Started with Maya lessons.

2. Click the tutorial you want to work through.

   The Maya Help displays the associated lessons for that tutorial.