Technical notes, using the custom shelf

 How to Add to a Shelf:

-Open a Menu Command: Go to the tool you want to save (for example, Mesh → Combine).

-Ctrl + Shift + Click on the menu item. This instantly drops the tool into your active shelf as a new button.

-Drag & Drop Icons: You can reorder shelf buttons by middle-mouse dragging them.

-Right-Click Options: Right-click a shelf button to edit its script, label, or replace its icon.

How to Take Your Shelf Home:

Your shelf is saved as a file on your computer, usually inside:

Documents/maya/<version>/prefs/shelves/

Each shelf has its own .mel file (for example, shelf_Custom.mel).

To share or back it up:

-Copy the .mel file.

-On another machine, paste it into the same shelves' directory.

-Restart Maya, and your shelf will appear just as you left it.

How to Rip a Menu Off the Maya Interface:

-Go to the top menu bar (e.g., Mesh, UV, Animation).

-Click and hold on the menu name.

-A dotted line (or "tear-off" option) appears at the top. Click it.

-That entire menu will now “rip off” and float as a separate window, letting you dock it anywhere or keep it nearby as you work.

Why it's useful:

The custom shelf is a shortcut. Whether you’re speeding up daily tasks, carrying your setup across labs and home, or decluttering your workspace, mastering shelves and tear-off interfaces can boost efficiency.