To change the brush intensity (also known as brush strength) in Maya, the most common method is to use hotkeys while a brush tool is active, or by adjusting the slider in the Tool Settings editor.
You can quickly adjust the brush intensity on the fly using the following hotkeys:
Adjusting Brush Intensity with Hotkeys
While a brush tool is active in Maya, you can dynamically change its intensity or strength:
-
M + Middle Mouse Button (MMB) Drag:
- Hold down the M key.
- While holding M, click and drag your Middle Mouse Button (MMB) up or down in your viewport.
- Dragging up increases the brush intensity, while dragging down decreases it.
- This is the primary method for adjusting brush strength for most tools like sculpting brushes, paint tools, and XGen grooming brushes.
-
Ctrl + Middle Mouse Button (MMB) Drag:
- Alternatively, you can also hold down the Ctrl key and drag your Middle Mouse Button (MMB) up or down. This method also adjusts the brush strength, sometimes offering a different feel or starting point for the adjustment (e.g., from zero strength).
These hotkeys provide an intuitive way to fine-tune your brush's effect directly in your workspace, allowing for fluid adjustments during your creative process.
Adjusting Brush Intensity via the Tool Settings
For precise control or to see the exact numerical value of the brush intensity, you can use the Tool Settings editor:
- Open Tool Settings: Double-click on the icon of the active brush tool in the Tool Box (usually on the left side of the Maya interface). This will open the Tool Settings window.
- Locate Intensity/Strength Slider: Within the Tool Settings window, look for a parameter labeled "Strength," "Intensity," "Value," or "Magnitude." The exact name may vary slightly depending on the specific brush tool you are using.
- Adjust the Slider: Drag the slider or input a numerical value to set the desired brush intensity.
Common Maya Brushes Where Intensity Adjustment Applies
Brush intensity is a fundamental parameter for many tools in Maya, affecting how strongly they modify geometry, textures, or hair.
- Sculpting Tools: Used for deforming mesh geometry (e.g., Grab, Relax, Smooth brushes). Adjusting intensity controls how much the mesh is pushed or pulled with each stroke.
- Paint Tools: Such as the 3D Paint Tool, used for painting color, transparency, or other attributes directly onto models. Intensity controls the opacity or impact of the paint.
- XGen Grooming Brushes: When working with hair, fur, or foliage using XGen, brush strength determines how effectively grooming brushes (e.g., Cut, Comb, Smooth) affect the splines. For instance, a higher intensity ensures hairs do not intersect with bound meshes as you groom, preventing penetration issues.
- Artisan Brushes: General-purpose painting and sculpting tools found across Maya for various tasks, including texture blending, vertex color painting, and more.
Quick Reference Table: Brush Intensity Control
| Method | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hotkeys | Hold M + MMB-drag (up/down) | Primary method for on-the-fly adjustment of brush strength. |
| Hotkeys (Alternative) | Hold Ctrl + MMB-drag (up/down) | Alternative method for adjusting brush strength, potentially from zero. |
| Tool Settings Editor | Double-click brush icon to open; adjust "Strength" or "Intensity" slider | Precise numerical control and visual feedback. |
Understanding and utilizing these methods for adjusting brush intensity is crucial for achieving precise and desired results in various modeling, texturing, and grooming workflows within Maya.
