dcReader 1.0.0 for Maya (maya plugin)

Custom Autodesk Maya Python API node.

Plug-in done with Maya Python API 2.0, that reads the angle between two objects for each one of the axis. The result angle will be passed to an ramp attribute, that will return a value between zero and one, depending on the curve. For each one of the axis, the user will dispose two outputs, one for the positive angles and another for the negative ones.

This node can be used for different purposes, like drive correctives blendshapes.

Please visit my website to  make sure you are downloading the latest version.

https://www.davidcuellar.es/dcreader/

Author: David Cuéllar. Linkedin profile

Version 1.0

THIS PLUGIN HAS BEEN TESTED ONLY UNDER WINDOWS PLATFORMS, AND WITH AUTODESK MAYA 2014/2015/2016

How to install it?

• Download the plug-in
• Unzip the content.
• Close Maya if it is open.
• Copy the following archives into the following paths:

1. render_dcreader.png into MAYA_INSTALATION_PATH\Autodesk*MayaXXXX*\icons

2. AEdcReaderTemplate.mel into * MAYA_INSTALATION_PATH\Autodesk*MayaXXXX\scripts\AETemplates

3. dcReader.py into MAYA_INSTALATION_PATH\Autodesk*MayaXXXX*\bin\plug-ins

• Restart Maya
• Load it on the Plug-in Manager Window

How to create the dcReader node?

Go ahead and try:

• MEL COMMAND:

createNode "dcReader"

• PYTHON COMMAND:

maya.cmds.createNode('dcReader')

or:

import maya.cmds as cmds; cmds.createNode('dcReader')
 

How use it?

CONNECT THE INPUTS

• Reader Matrix. Connect the world matrix of the reader object.

• Target Matrix. Connect the world matrix of the target object.

Once the inputs are connected, each time any of those object are modify, the node computes the new angles generated between their axis, and generate six outputs, two peer each axis.

One for the positive angles and other for the negatives. Those angles are converted in values between zero and one, that will pass through and attribute ramp to provide the user the option of create the desire blend curve motion.

• Please visit my Vimeo profile and see how dcReader works.

Have fun!