Maya Add-on
Learn how to prepare your character for validation and how to use the validation add-on for Maya to successfully validate your character.
In case you missed it...
Here are the most important pages to cover before using the add-ons for validation.
Video Tutorial
Validation Process Summary
Running Validation
Characters are validated in a few simple steps:
Assign the body skeleton/armature (mandatory).
Map bones (Hips bone mandatory).
Assign the face mesh (optional).
Map eye bones (optional).
Run validation.
Successful Validation
01_wonder_studio_character_data
folder will be created at the same location as the character scene.
All character files will be exported/copied to this folder. This folder will contain:
Characters scene files.
Characters texture files.
metadata.json file.
⛔ Please do not edit files in the 01_wonder_studio_character_data
folder.
These files can then be uploaded to Wonder Studio.
Failed Validation
If the validation fails, error and warning messages will be shown, informing you of what went wrong.
These errors can then be fixed automatically, if the add-on provides the option, or fixed manually.
More information on errors and warnings can be found in the Character Validation Messages section of the documentation.
After correcting the errors, the validation can be rerun.
Using the Add-on
After a successful installation of the add-on, start the validation process by simply clicking the icon on the "WonderDynamics" shelf. The main UI will pop up, and the validation process will automatically start.
The scene must be saved in order for the validation to be able to start.
It is recommended that all texture files, that the character uses, are also located in the same place as the scene file.
Add-on Overview
Red | Validation steps | Green | Help for each validation step |
Blue | Status for each validation step | Yellow | UI controls |
Status Icons
There are five possible validation statuses:
Actions
"Refresh Validation"
- Validation will be restarted."Documentation"
- Opens main Maya documentation page.">_"
- This will open the script terminal where more information is shown regarding the validation."Abort"
- Validation will be aborted and UI closed."Export with xGen"
- Export the character with xGen. If xGen is not present in the scene, the button will be disabled by default."Export without xGen"
- Even if xGen is present in the scene, the character will be exported without it.
Script Terminal
Here you can see the status of every validation step. In the case where validation failed, there will be a detailed report of what failed and how to help you fix the problem.
The same information can also be viewed in Maya's Script Editor.
Assigning the Body Skeleton
Skeleton is automatically assigned by adding the "_BODY" tag in the name of the collection holding it.
Mapping Joints
For more information regarding Join Mapping please follow the link below:
pageJoint Mapping - MayaAssigning the Face Mesh (Optional)
For a mesh to pass validations, it needs to have the "_FACE" suffix as stated in Character Requirements.
It also needs to have at least one of the blend shapes defined in Face System documentation.
After face geometry is successfully validated eye bones can be mapped.
Mapping Eye Joints (Optional)
For more information regarding Eye Bone Mapping please follow the link below:
pageEye Bone Mapping - MayaRunning the Validation
After refreshing the validation STATUS will change to indicate the new state of the requirement.
If the validation fails, appropriate messages will be displayed in the Wonder Dynamics Script Terminal section. Wonder Dynamics Script Terminal can be opened by pressing the >_
button.
Validation Messages
If the validation fails, error and warning messages will be shown, informing you of what went wrong.
These errors can then be fixed automatically, if the add-on provides the option, or fixed manually.
More information on errors and warnings can be found in the Character Validation Messages section of the documentation.
Message Types
[ERROR]
- Messages outlining issues with the Character Requirements.
[WARNING]
- Messages outlining issues with the Character Warnings.
Automatic Fix
Some errors can be fixed by the add-on automatically.
Please proceed with caution when applying automatic fixes to your character scene. They may change some properties of your character scene like object names, location, rotation, scale, etc.
Exporting Data
When the validaiton passes successfully, data can be exported by choosing one of the following options:
"Export with xGen"
- Export the character with xGen. If xGen is not present in the scene, the button will be disabled by default."Export without xGen"
- Even if xGen is present in the scene, the character will be exported without it.
Data will be exported to the 01_wonder_studio_character_data
folder.
Next Steps
Please upload every file located in the 01_wonder_studio_character_data
folder to Wonder Studio.
See the Character Upload page for information on how to upload your character to Wonder Studio.
Last updated