Maya

Maya is a popular 3D modeling/animation/rendering suite from Autodesk (formerly from Alias). It is a powerful tool for modeling, texturing and animating props and characters. It also contains many advanced features which are not applicable to Source modding (dynamics, rendering, etc.). While Valve favors XSI for modeling and animating, some users may prefer Maya's rich feature set.

Plugins

• .smd Exporter by Prall
• Steam\SteamApps\username\sourcesdk\maya Valve's .smd and .dmx scripts supplied in the Source SDK

Installing Valve's Maya 2009 Plug-in

1. Edit the sourcesdk\maya\2009\runmaya.bat and make sure that the path setting to maya.exe is correct. The default is C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya 2009\bin.

2. Run C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\ \sourcesdk\maya\2009\runmaya.bat

3. When Maya comes up go to Window|Settings/Preferences|Plug-in Manager...

4. Look for vsmaster.mll and check the "loaded" and "auto load" boxes.

5. When you go to export you should see the new choices:

Valve DMX File

Valve SMD Model

Valve SMD Animated Model

Valve SMD Physics Model

Valve SMD Animation

See Also

• Modifying a Source Model in Maya

L4D2 Notes on runmaya.bat

If you load the L4D2 SDK and set your configurations with vconfig.exe, this batch file will not function. You will need to edit it as described here: Steam Forum Post

External links

• Autodesk Maya Official site.
• Introduction to the Maya 8 User Interface Noesis Interactive video tutorial.
• Introduction to Custom Props for Source Powered Games with Maya Noesis Interactive video tutorial.
• Stieffers' Maya to Source: A Model Exportation Guide
• Creating a Keyboard Physics Prop with Maya - Goes through entire workflow--covers modeling, UV Mapping, texturing, and exporting.
• Palmer's Maya Prop Exporting Tutorial