Maya Python Automation

This repository contains scripts that were developed while learning how to automate Maya using Python.

To make these available you need to add the following snippet to userSetup.py located correctly for your OS.

import sys

sys.path.append("/path/to/this/repository/lib")

from realityforge.maya import setup

setup.setup()

The correct location to put this file is:

• Mac: /Users/<username>/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/<version>/scripts
• Linux: ~<username>/maya/<version>/scripts
• Windows: C:\Users\<username>\Documents\maya\<version>\scripts

To add a script action to the shelf, the standard process is to force the reload of the script when the action runs. You can add a python snippet like

from importlib import reload

import realityforge.maya.myscript as myscript
reload(myscript)

myscript.my_function()

However, sometimes you want project specific code which you store in the scripts directory. In which case the code snippet may look like:

from importlib import reload

# Add project scripts to path ... This is probably wrong.
project_scripts_dir = cmds.workspace(expandName = "scripts")
if not project_scripts_dir in sys.path:
    sys.path.append(project_scripts_dir)

import local_module_in_scripts
reload(local_module_in_scripts)

# Remove path
sys.path.pop(sys.path.index(project_scripts_dir))

  
local_module_in_scripts.my_function()

TweenMachine

The TweenMachine plugin has been vendored into this repository to make installation easier. This plugin is used to create breakdown poses.

Red 9 Studio Pack Tools

The Red 9 Studio Pack Tools have been vendored into this project to simplify installation across sites. The plugin is primarily used for mirroring poses. A YouTube Tutorial exists to guide you through the process of installation. However it has been auto-enabled when these scripts are added.