Maya Keyboard Shortcuts
85+ Maya shortcuts for 3D animation, modeling, and rendering. Mac and Windows reference for VFX artists.
Transform
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select tool | |
| Move tool | |
| Rotate tool | |
| Scale tool | |
| Show manipulator | |
| Last tool used | |
| Toggle snap to grid | |
| Snap to grid (hold) | |
| Snap to point (hold) | |
| Snap to curve (hold) | |
| Edit pivot | |
| Edit pivot (hold) |
Display
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Wireframe mode | |
| Shaded mode | |
| Textured mode | |
| Lighting mode | |
| Low quality display | |
| Medium quality display | |
| High quality display | |
| Hide selected | |
| Show all hidden | |
| Hide unselected | |
| Show last hidden |
Viewport
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Orbit | |
| Pan | |
| Zoom | |
| Frame selected | |
| Frame all | |
| Toggle panel layout |
Components
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Vertex mode | |
| Edge mode | |
| Face mode | |
| UV mode | |
| Object/Component toggle | |
| Vertex mode | |
| Edge mode | |
| Face mode |
Edit
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Undo | |
| Redo | |
| Duplicate | |
| Duplicate special | |
| Group | |
| Parent | |
| Unparent | |
| Delete | |
| Select all |
Animation
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Set keyframe | |
| Set translate key | |
| Set rotate key | |
| Set scale key | |
| Play/Stop animation | |
| Previous frame | |
| Next frame | |
| Previous keyframe | |
| Next keyframe |
Rendering
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Render current frame | |
| Batch render | |
| IPR render |
File
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New scene | |
| Open scene | |
| Save scene | |
| Save As |
Pro tips
Marking Menus
Hold right-click for context-sensitive marking menus. In component mode, the marking menu changes based on whether you're on vertices, edges, or faces. Much faster than menu bar access.
MEL & Python Scripting
Maya is deeply scriptable. Use the Script Editor to automate tasks. MEL is Maya's native language; Python is more versatile. Record actions with Echo All Commands to learn MEL syntax.
Reference Editor
Use references instead of importing assets. Referenced files update when the source changes. This is essential for team workflows - animators reference rigs, lighters reference animations.
Deformers for Animation
Use Lattice, Cluster, and Blend Shape deformers for complex animations. Non-linear deformers (Bend, Twist, Flare) create effects that would be tedious to keyframe manually.
Viewport 2.0 Settings
Customize Viewport 2.0 for better preview quality. Enable SSAO, anti-aliasing, and shadow maps in the viewport settings. This reduces the need for test renders during look development.
Node Editor for Materials
Use the Hypershade Node Editor to build complex materials visually. Connect texture nodes, ramps, and utilities to create procedural shaders that render consistently across different objects.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Maya cost?
Maya costs approximately $1,875/year or $245/month through Autodesk subscription. Maya Indie ($305/year) is available for individuals and small studios earning under $100K/year. Students and educators get free access.
Is Maya better than Blender?
Maya is industry standard for film VFX and game animation with superior rigging, animation, and pipeline tools. Blender is free with excellent modeling and rendering. Most large studios use Maya; indie developers often prefer Blender's value proposition.
What's Maya used for professionally?
Maya is used in film VFX (Marvel, Pixar, DreamWorks), video games (EA, Ubisoft, Naughty Dog), TV animation, and commercial advertising. It excels at character animation, dynamics, and integrating into production pipelines.
Can Maya run on Mac?
Yes, Maya runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. However, some features like hardware rendering (DirectX) and certain plugins are Windows-only. GPU rendering with Arnold works on all platforms.
What renderer does Maya use?
Maya includes Arnold as its default renderer - an industry-standard physically-based path tracer. Other supported renderers include V-Ray, RenderMan, Redshift, and Octane through plugins.
How do I learn Maya?
Start with Maya's built-in tutorials and Autodesk's free learning content. YouTube channels like FlippedNormals and CG Cookie offer structured courses. Focus on one area (modeling, animation, or FX) before expanding.
Want to master Maya?
Go beyond shortcuts with in-depth Maya video courses, from the basics all the way to advanced workflows.
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