Tutorials at Lizard Lounge Graphics : Maya - Quick Observations

Every now and again I stumble onto something incredibly obvious which is not listed anywhere in Maya's help docs. This is where I will be posting these discoveries.

• Non-linear bend deformer curvature is based on Pi (3.14159265). Use Pi if you need a perfect circle.
  
  
• A ramp can be used to create a seamless, looping, noise function. Just make sure the same color is used at the start and end of the ramp.
  
  
• Color vectors can be used to drive any transform - <<R, G, B>> == <<X, Y, Z>>.
  
  
• The MEL command "parent -add -s;" to add the shape of one object to the transform of another. This is very handy when making on-screen controls that made from several different curves.
  
  
• 'Alt-B' can be used to toggle the default background colours in the workspace, hypershade, and hypergraph windows.