For artists not accustomed to working this way, it takes some getting used to. Yet after a short time, the elegance of Maya Paint Effects's approach becomes apparent. Adjusting the positioning of elements can be done quickly and precisely. Bezier curve controls allow more inter-esting and more natural animation. Objects such as flowing water and swaying rope benefit greatly from this process.
Simple strokes paint along a selected path.
Smoke, leaves, and branches are examples of strokes with tubes. I was surprised that mastering tubes isn't difficult. About 20 minutes of experimentation was all it took for me to get pleasing, professional results. Unfortunately, the Maya Paint Effects documentation does not offer much assistance in getting the user to the next level. For the sophisticated user, it is too elementary.