4 training methods (pure-part, simplified-whole, progressive-part, and whole task) in the acquisition of a 3-dimensional tracking task were studied. 2 levels of transfer complexity were used. Training by the whole and progressive-part methods were essentially equivalent. Both these methods produced superior transfer as compared to either the pure-part or simplified-whole methods. As task complexity increased the whole and progressive-part training methods increased the absolute, but not the relative, superiority of transfer performance as compared with the other methods. Explanations for these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)