Hi all and wonderful community :)

I am a long time Max user and more recently adding Maya to my workflow due to company tools.

I love the program thus far and find many things that expedite the process.... However, every once in a while there is a need to do architectural elements and I am not seeing the best possible way to handle at this point.

Let me say that in 3D Max I typically started with splines to create objects by simply making the shape of window, door or wall and then extruding.

Is there any key or simple way in Maya to do this? I have played with Nurbs a bit but even making say a 36” wide door x 96” tall door with inset glass panles seems to involve many steps that Max seemed to handle quicker and more efficiently.

So really two things:

1. Are any here avid Maya architectural modellers? and how do you find the tools?
2. Am I missing the obvious?

Again thanks! :)

Also.... Ambient Occlusion? easiest way to set up ... the manuals are blank on subject?