You can create pre-defined 3D geometric shapes called primitives in Maya. Primitives can be used as-is or as a starting point for 3D modeling.
NURBS primitives can be created from the Create menu, the Shelf, or interactively. Each method is described below.
Create NURBS primitives using the Create menu
For information on settings, see NURBS Primitives Options.
To create NURBS primitives using the Create menu
- Select
, then select the primitive’s option box from the list of primitives. For example,
Sphere >
or
Cube >
.
The associated options window appears.
- In the primitive options window, change the attributes of the NURBS primitive.
For example, you can set attributes that specify the size and scale, how the primitive is subdivided, and so on.
Note: You can modify primitive attributes after creating it using either the Channel Box or the Attribute Editor. - Click
Create.
The primitive object appears at the origin of the scene view.
Create NURBS primitives using the Shelf
The Shelf provides easily-selectable primitive icons. You can also set a primitive’s options and then save a custom version of a primitive to the Shelf for future use. For more information see Add a tool, action, or Maya script to a shelf.
To create NURBS primitives using the Shelf
- In the scene view, select the Surfaces tab on the Shelf to display the surfaces primitive icons.
- Click a surfaces primitive icon.
The primitive object appears at the origin of the scene view.
Create a NURBS primitive interactively
Using your mouse, you can create, position, and scale primitives, without having to use transformation tools. Select . This option stays on until you turn it off. If you want to create multiple primitives interactively, turn off the setting .
To interactively create NURBS primitives
- Select if it is not already on.
- Select
Create > NURBS Primitives > and choose the primitive type or select the primitive type from the shelf.
If you want to change the settings that the polygon primitive is created with, such as Axis or Number of Spans, select Create > NURBS Primitives > (Shape) >
.
- In the scene view, do one of the following:
- Click-drag to create the primitive (Sphere, Plane, Torus, Circle, Square).
- Click-drag to initially create a 2D base of the primitive. Then click-drag a second time to scale the 2D base into a 3D primitive object (Cube, Cylinder, Cone).
Holding down the Shift and Control keys during primitive creation has the following effects:
| Modifier key | Effect |
|---|---|
|
(None) |
Grows plane and cube primitives from the corner. Grows all other primitives from the center. |
|
Control |
Grows plane and cube primitives from the center. (No effect on all other primitives.) |
|
Shift |
Constrains all primitives to three-dimensional equilateral proportions and grows them from the base. |
|
Control + Shift |
Constrains all primitives to three-dimensional equilateral proportions and grows them from the center. |
To create a NURBS primitive with a single click using the options you select
- Select
if it is not already on.
If you want to change the settings that the NURBS primitive is created with, such as Axis or Number of Spans, select Create > NURBS Primitives > (Shape) >
.
There are specific Single-click settings for primitive creation.
- Click in the scene view to create primitives.
To create multiple NURBS primitives interactively or with a single click
- Turn on .
Other options
As well, during interactive primitive creation, you can snap the polygon to existing objects in the scene. You have the following options (click the icon in the Status line or press the hotkey). Snap to
- grid
- curves
- CV, vertex, or pivot
- live object
These snap options allow you, during the creation of your primitive, to snap to a projected point on the line or plane defined by any other object in your scene.
For more information, see