Maya Preference Setting

Maya Preference Setting

Often Maya command will not be responding in spite of resetting the tool. Or on right click Maya will not work. In that case try deleting the preference folder, rename as prefsOld. (path C:\Users\xx\Documents\maya\2016\prefs) and restart Maya and select create new preference.

With new preference one will loose the custom self or marking menu, which can be copied from prefOld.

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Maya Diaphragm Shutter

Setting up Maya Diaphragm Shutter

Maya Bonus Tool is powerful indeed. It creates numerous operation.
Diaphragm shutters can be setup with BonusTool>Edit>Duplicate on Object.

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Maya Geometry Cache

Maya Geometry Cache Workflow

Geometry Cache calculate the vertex position of the polygon in the animated scene using the control rig (referenced asset file) and export it to designated file path, then import the cache to the fresh file that has the shaders alone.

The outliner hierarchy and Poly count of the Rig file and Texture file should be same.

The cache can be loaded selecting the "Geo" node.

This way reduce the Render time as there is no calculation of the deformers and math nodes involved in the Rig file.

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Maya Add Influence to skinCluster

Maya Add Influence to skinCluster

This option helps to add a missed out joint or geometry as an influence to the skinCuster.

Follow the option to add a new joint without disturbing the paint weight of the skinCluster.

A curve or a Non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS) can also be added as influence object and weights can be added but the skinCluster should have "Use components" On. This can be used for facial skin weight rigs like using a wire deformer. Wire deformer holds the volume but this will have linear deformation.

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Maya Shelf Button

Maya Shelf Button to do two operation.

One can echo the command of an operation in script editor and pull it to the shelf. The same button can be used to execute the opposite of the same operation by double clicking or what ever one feel like.

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Maya Search and Replace Names

Maya Search and Replace Names

Many of use do not use the option to remove prefix with native Maya Modify>Search and Replace Option, because it gives us

 "// Error: file: C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2016/scripts/others/performSearchReplaceNames.mel line 295: Must enter a valid search and replace string."

So, here is the trick

Use any Special keys or Punctuation.

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Maya Blend Smooth Skinning Method

Maya Dual Quaternion Paint Weight

The areas painted with DQ weight helps in preserving the volume on knees, elbow, knuckle, etc. overriding the classic linear skin values. 

Give a value of 0.2 DQ weight to the whole body, will help as a whole with good deformation.

 Paint the rigid area, where volume has to be maintained with greater value of DQ weight.

Note: stretchy set up of the rig has to be on translate of the aim axis and not on the scale to avoid weird deformation.

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Maya Changing Pivot of controls

Maya Pivot shift of control for Prop

This will be useful to shift the pivot of props controls like weapons, sticks, plates, etc. for animation purpose keeping point of contact in mind.

Create a Null group under ctl_Stick and parentConstraint grp_ctl_StickPivot, to move the pivot control along with the ctl_stick.

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