Free Autodesk Maya® Certified User Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Autodesk Maya® Certified User Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Which command makes an existing Maya project the current project?

   1. A.File > Set ProjectCorrect answer: A
   2. B.File > Save Scene
   3. C.File > Create Reference
   4. D.File > Import

   Explanation: Autodesk says, "Select File > Set Project." This opens the window used to choose the existing project location.

   Reference: Change projects — To change projects

2. 2Which statement accurately describes interactive creation of polygon primitives in Maya?

   1. A.The primitive's size can be adjusted during creation with visual feedback.Correct answer: A
   2. B.The primitive's size can only be adjusted after creation is complete.
   3. C.The primitive must always appear at the world origin before adjustment.
   4. D.The primitive can only be sized by typing numeric attributes.

   Explanation: Autodesk states, "Interactive polygon creation allows you to manually adjust the size of primitives during creation." It provides visual feedback while creating the primitive.

   Reference: Create polygon primitives interactively — Interactive polygon creation overview

3. 3How does Automatic UV mapping generate UVs for a polygon mesh?

   1. A.It projects simultaneously from multiple planes.Correct answer: A
   2. B.It projects only from the active camera plane.
   3. C.It wraps one cylinder around every mesh.
   4. D.It wraps one spherical projection around the mesh.

   Explanation: Autodesk says Automatic mapping finds UV placement "by simultaneously projecting from multiple planes." This can create several shells.

   Reference: Automatic UV mapping — Automatic mapping overview

4. 4How does an Anisotropic material reflect specular light?

   1. A.Differently in different directionsCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Identically in every direction
   3. C.Only along the camera's vertical axis
   4. D.Only as a diffuse component

   Explanation: Autodesk states, "An anisotropic material reflects specular light differently in different directions." Phong and Blinn are described as isotropic.

   Reference: Anisotropic — Anisotropic material overview

5. 5What does an animator directly rotate and key when posing a skeleton with forward kinematics?

   1. A.Individual joints in the skeletonCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Only the IK handle's pole vector
   3. C.Only the end effector's translation
   4. D.Only the IK handle's twist control

   Explanation: Autodesk states, "With forward kinematics, you rotate and key the individual joints in the skeleton." IK uses a handle to drive the chain.

   Reference: Posing skeletons — Forward kinematics

6. 6What additional orientation control does a Camera, Aim, and Up camera provide?

   1. A.It lets you specify which end of the camera faces upward.Correct answer: A
   2. B.It forces the camera's up direction to the world X axis.
   3. C.It prevents changes to the camera's up direction.
   4. D.It fixes the camera aim at the world origin.

   Explanation: Autodesk says to "Use a Camera, Aim, and Up camera to specify which end of the camera must face upward." This is useful for complex looping motion.

   Reference: Maya camera types — Camera, Aim, and Up

7. 7What must exist on an attribute before Auto Key can automatically set additional keys for it?

   1. A.An existing key on that attributeCorrect answer: A
   2. B.An existing key on a different attribute only
   3. C.A key on every attribute of the object
   4. D.A key on the attribute at every frame

   Explanation: Autodesk states, "A key must already exist for an attribute before you use Auto Key." Subsequent changes at a new time can then be keyed automatically.

   Reference: Use Auto Key — Auto Key overview

8. 8Which Maya light shines evenly in all directions from an infinitely small point?

   1. A.Point lightCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Directional light
   3. C.Spot light
   4. D.Area light

   Explanation: Autodesk says, "A point light shines evenly in all directions from an infinitely small point in space." It can simulate an incandescent bulb.

   Reference: Direct light sources — Point Light

9. 9Which Maya renderer is documented for producing stylized line art in 2D vector formats?

   1. A.Maya VectorCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Maya Hardware 2.0
   3. C.Maya Software
   4. D.Arnold for Maya

   Explanation: Autodesk says the Maya Vector renderer can create "stylized renderings" in bitmap or "2D vector formats." Line art is one of its examples.

   Reference: Select a renderer — Maya Vector renderer

10. 10In Maya's Project Window, what happens when you click New to start a project?

    1. A.It clears all currently configured project locations.
    2. B.It fills the window with default project locations and names.Correct answer: B
    3. C.It restores the existing project's previously saved settings.
    4. D.It switches to a different existing project's directory.

    Explanation: Autodesk states, "Maya populates the Project Window with default project locations and names." The operation supplies locations for the new project.

    Reference: Create a new project — To start a new project, New