Preparing for the lessons

To ensure the lesson works as described, do these steps before beginning:

1. To ensure that your Maya settings match the tutorials, reset Maya to default preferences.
2. If you have not already done so, download the lesson files from http://areadownloads.autodesk.com/wdm/maya/GettingStarted2020LessonData.zip. Copy the Getting Started 2020 Lesson Files zip file to your local drive and unzip the folder.
3. Select File > Set Project and set the GettingStartedMaya2020LessonData\PolygonModeling directory as your Maya project.
4. Select File > New Scene.
5. Select the Modeling menu set.

   Unless otherwise noted, the directions in this chapter for making menu selections assume you’ve already selected the Modeling menu set.

6. As you work through these lessons, remember to save your work frequently and increment the name of the file every so often (filename1, filename2, and so on).

   In this way you’ll have earlier versions of your work to return to if you need them.