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# Build folders
Maya20*/

# VIM Swapfiles
*.swp

# Folder config file
Desktop.ini

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I haven't had to deal with actually distributing
a plugin and tool before, so this may be a little rough
# SIMPLEX SOLVER

Most of the development we are currently doing is in Windows,
so all instructions will be given assuming that platform.
However, much of this *should* work for other platforms.
---
![Example Simplex UI](docs/images/SimplexExample.png)

Install:
Open "simplex.mod" and replace all instances of <FILEPATH> with the path to your "Simplex" top level folder
The Simplex Solver is cross-package plugin and tool for dealing with complex blendshape combos in for high-end facial rigs.

Copy "simplex.mod" to "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\maya\2016\modules" (or the 2017 folder if you're using 2017)
---

Then, (After restarting maya) load the simplex_maya.mll plugin from the plugin manager
and run these two commands in Python to start the tool:
### For Artitsts

from SimplexUI import runSimplexUI
runSimplexUI()
Simplex aims to provide an intuitive, cross-package UI that allows for full control over shapes, combos, and transitions.

This tool was built with the full **F**acial **A**ction **C**oding **S**ystem (FACS) in mind. As such, it handles hundreds of shapes with arbitrary combo depth, and allows for arbitrary grouping of shapes.

Spline interpolation for in-between shapes, positive-negative shapes, and in-between combo shapes are supported. Arbitrary value combinations are also fully supported (eg. ComboX activates when SliderA is at 0.25 and SliderB is at 0.33).

IF YOU NEED TO REBUILD THE PLUGIN:
Get all the prerequisites:
Get and install the devkit:
Download the maya devkit zip file from their website
Unzip somewhere
Look for the folders: cmake, devkit, include, mkspecs
Copy those folders directly into your maya install directory
### For developers

Get and install Visual Studio 2013.
The Express and Community editions are free
Simplex aims to be fully scriptable so that it can easily be inserted into any pipeline. The UI and API are fully Python, all content creation commands are abstracted (for multi-package use), and all systems are built as human readable JSON strings.

Get and install CMake from https://cmake.org/download/
There are `sip` python bindings in the source code, but they are not currently part of the release or build.

Navigate to the SimplexCPP folder and make an empty folder inside called "build"
Open a command prompt and navigate to this newly created folder
Run These two commands, substituting your maya version number (2016 shown):
As long as your package supports Plugins, Python, and Qt (or PySide), Simplex can be built for it.

cmake -G "Visual Studio 12 2013 Win64" -DMAYA_VERSION=2016 ../
cmake --build . --config Release --target Install
#### Simplex is NOT

If there are no errors, then there should now be a "maya2016" folder in the "Simplex" folder
* Simplex is not a modeling toolkit
* Modeling is done using whatever tools you choose on your current package
* Simplex is not a deformer
* It only informs a native blendshape deformer what values the current shapes should have

### Documentation

Check out the wiki for documentation and usage. We are still in the process of writing it, so please be patient.

## INSTALLATION

* I haven't had to deal with actually distributing a plugin and tool before, so this may be a little rough
* Most of the development we are currently doing is in Windows, so all instructions will be given assuming that platform.

1. Download the latest release and unzip the folder where you want Simplex to live
2. Open "simplex.mod" and replace all instances of `<FILEPATH>` with the path to your "Simplex" top level folder
3. Copy "simplex.mod" to `%USERPROFILE%\Documents\maya\2016\modules` (or the 2017 folder if you're using 2017)
4. Restart Maya
5. Load the simplex_maya.mll plugin from the plugin manager and run these two commands in Python to start the tool

```python
from SimplexUI import runSimplexUI
runSimplexUI()
```

## BUILD

1. Get all the prerequisites:
* Get and install the devkit:
1. Download the maya devkit zip file from their website
2. Unzip somewhere
3. Look for the folders: cmake, devkit, include, mkspecs
4. Copy/merge those folders directly into your maya install directory
* Get and install Visual Studio 2013. (The Express and Community editions are free online)
* Get and install CMake from https://cmake.org/download/
2. Navigate to the SimplexCPP folder and make an empty folder inside called "build".
3. Open a command prompt and navigate to this newly created folder
4. Run These two commands, substituting your maya version number after `-DMAYA_VERSION=`

cmake -G "Visual Studio 12 2013 Win64" -DMAYA_VERSION=2016 ../
cmake --build . --config Release --target Install

5. If there are no errors, then there should now be a folder in the top-level folder called `maya2016` that contains the plugin



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