How do I change polygons in Maya?

You can change how polygons are displayed in Maya, specifically altering the width of their edges, using the Custom Polygon Display settings.

Changing polygons in Maya can refer to modifying their geometry (like moving vertices, extruding faces, etc.) or altering their visual display properties. Based on the provided information, this guide focuses on changing polygon display settings, specifically the edge width, which is a common way to visualize polygon structure.

Modifying Polygon Display Settings

Maya provides options to customize the visual appearance of your polygon models. One such setting allows you to control the thickness of the polygon edges displayed in the viewport. This can make it easier to see the mesh structure.

There are two primary ways to access and modify these polygon display settings, each affecting different objects:

1. For the Currently Selected Object(s):
   You can adjust the display settings specifically for the polygon object(s) you currently have selected.

   • Go to the Maya menu: Display > Polygons > Custom Polygon Display and click the options box (□).
   • This opens the Custom Polygon Display options dialog box.
   • In this dialog, you can find settings related to polygon display, including edge width.
   • Specify the desired width of the polygon edge. The available range for this setting is typically from 1 to 10.
   • Applying changes here will immediately affect the selected object(s).

2. For New Polygon Objects:
   You can set a default polygon display preference that will apply to any new polygon objects you create from that point forward. This preference does not affect existing objects in your scene.

   • This setting is found within Maya's Preferences.
   • Navigate to the relevant section for polygon display preferences.
   • Adjust the polygon edge width setting here. Like the setting for selected objects, you can specify a width within the range of 1 to 10.

These display settings are purely visual aids in the viewport and do not alter the underlying geometry or structure of the polygon model itself.

Summary Table: Polygon Display Settings

Setting Location	Affects Which Objects?	What Can Be Changed (Based on reference)?	Value Range (for edge width)
Display > Polygons > Custom Polygon Display options	Currently Selected Object(s)	Polygon Edge Width	1 to 10
Preferences	Any New Polygon Objects	Polygon Edge Width	1 to 10

Using these options helps you tailor Maya's viewport display to your modeling workflow, making it easier to inspect your polygon meshes.