how do you set the scene larger so the clipping plane is not a problem with larger objects?
You change the cameras!
Never used Maya, but if it’s anything like Alias…you change the “digital properties” under the camera editing menu…there will be a box for near and far clipping settings…
In your camera (“persp” if you are using the default camera) viewport menu bar, select View>Camera Attribute Editor…
Expand Camera Attributes (if necessary). Adjust Near Clip Plane and Far Clip Plane.