---
title: What Are Guides?
description: "When you switch a node to 'Template' mode, you create [**guides**](https://ariserigging.com/docs/elements/guides/) in Maya. They appear purple or pink and are used to tell the node where to build its rig parts when switching to 'Build' mode. ![](https://ariserigging.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-165.png) [https://newaccount1619350932681.freshdesk.com/a/solutions/articles/69000434042](https://newaccount1619350932681.freshdesk.com/a/solutions/articles/69000434042)Guides should be positioned inside…"
url: "https://ariserigging.com/docs/getting-started-tutorial/what-are-guides/"
updated: "2026-05-13"
category: Getting Started Tutorial
---

# What Are Guides?

When you switch a node to 'Template' mode, you create [**guides**](https://ariserigging.com/docs/elements/guides/) in Maya.
They appear purple or pink and are used to tell the node where to build its rig parts when switching to 'Build' mode.

![](https://ariserigging.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-165.png)

[https://newaccount1619350932681.freshdesk.com/a/solutions/articles/69000434042](https://newaccount1619350932681.freshdesk.com/a/solutions/articles/69000434042)Guides should be positioned inside your character model to match its anatomy.
Don't worry if you position your guides in the wrong place; you can always reposition them.
ARISE workflows are non-destructive, meaning that your skinning and blendshapes will remain untouched.

To switch nodes to **'Template'** mode:

- Right-click on a node and press 'Template Node'.
- Or select several nodes, right-click on an empty area in the [**workspace**](https://ariserigging.com/docs/elements/workspace/), and press 'Template Selected Nodes'.
- Or in the tools shelf press the 'Template All' button to template all nodes in the scene. ![](https://ariserigging.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-166.png)

The **'Solo'** button on the tools shelf allows you to move guides without moving their children guides.

![](https://ariserigging.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-167.png)

To match one side of your character to the other, you can use the mirror buttons on the tools shelf.

![](https://ariserigging.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-168.png)

- The first button mirrors the selected nodes.
- The 2nd button searches for all node names beginning with the **'L_'** prefix and mirror-copies them to matching nodes starting with the **'R_'** prefix.
- The 3rd button does the same but **'R_'** to **'L_'**.

Remember that mirroring happens on Maya's X-axis (YZ plane), so your character model must face the **positive Z-axis**.
Name your nodes with either an **'L_'** or an **'R_'** prefix so ARISE knows which is on the left and which is on the right.
'L_arm' and 'R_arm', for example.
Ctrls colors are also based on this prefix logic.

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