To export a .abc asset from Maya for use in other programs, follow these steps:
1. Ensure ABC Export and Import Plugins are Loaded:
- Go to `Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager`.
- Make sure both `AbcExport.mll` and `AbcImport.mll` are checked for "Loaded" and "Auto load". This ensures that the Alembic export and import plugins are enabled.
2. Select the Geometry to Export:
- Choose the geometry you want to export. Make sure it's selected in the viewport.
3. Access the Alembic Export Options:
- At the top of the Maya window, navigate to `Cache > Alembic Cache > Export Selection to Alembic...`.
4. Set General Options:
- If you're exporting a static asset (non-moving), set "General Options" to "Current frame". This means it will export the geometry exactly as it appears in the current frame.
5. Configure Advanced Options:
- Ensure the following settings are enabled under "Advanced Options":
[x] Strip Namespaces: Removes any namespaces from the exported geometry. Namespaces are a way to organize objects in Maya, but they might not be supported in other programs.
[x] UV Write: Ensures that UV (texture) coordinates are exported along with the geometry. This is essential for maintaining textures in other programs.
[x] World Space: Exports the geometry in world coordinates, which is typically what you want when transferring assets between different software.
[x] Write UV Sets: This ensures that all UV sets are exported. This is critical if you have multiple sets of texture coordinates.
[x] Filter Euler Rotations: Helps to avoid gimbal lock issues with rotations. This can be important for maintaining correct orientation.
[x] Write Visibility: Exports information about whether the object is visible or not. This can be useful for things like animation or simulations.
6. Export the Asset:
- After configuring the settings, click on the "Export" button to save the .abc file.
Following these steps will allow you to manually export assets in a way that ensures compatibility with other programs. Keep in mind that this process may vary slightly depending on the specific versions of Maya and the other software you're working with.