Change between the four basic "workbenches:" MODELING, ANIMATION, DYNAMICS, RENDERING
by selecting from the button in the upper left with the LMB. Or, hit F2 thru F5 for the same result. Or hold the "h" key down and choose from the "marking menu."Note: (This multiplicity of methods is typical of Maya and many other recent software packages. At first it seems confusing, then later it allows you to work the way you feel most comfortable.)
Tumbling, Tracking, and Dollying within the views:
Alt + LMB to tumble
Alt + MMB to track
Alt + LMB & MMB to dolly
Ctrl + Alt + LMB to drag a box and set the viewing area
Note: The orthographic views are the same but you can't tumble.
Many other panels such as HYPERGRAPH work the same way.
Views can be selected
under the PANEL menu at the upper right of any view window. In submenus, you can select individual views, or the arrangement for the whole screen. You can create custom arrangements and save them.Get the HOTBOX
by moving your mouse anywhere and holding down the spacebar. There you will find all of the menus the program has to offer, presented in another form. Above, below, left and right of the HOTBOX you will see other marking menus that make certain options easy to get to. These are all customizable as well.Make objects smoother or rougher
under DISPLAY>NURBS smoothness>[Rough, medium, or fine]. Or hit 1,2, or 3 on the keyboard.Shade or unshade objects
so that you can perceive them better under each view's menu: SHADING>Wireframe or Smoothshade All. Or hit 4 or 5 on the keyboard.