CG

Using LayLo 3D Plug-Ins in Maya 2022

April 30, 2021 11 comments


With the release of Maya 2022 Autodesk has decided to ship it with the Python 3 interpreter enabled by default. Previously Maya had shipped with a Python 2 interpreter enabled by default. At this point all of my Maya plug-ins are written for Python 2 and if you try to load them in Maya 2022 with the Python 3 interpreter enabled you will get an invalid syntax error.

The good news is Maya 2022 for Windows is packaged with both Python 2 and Python 3 interpreters, so all my plug-ins can still be used in Maya 2022 you just have to set Maya to start with the Python 2 interpreter.

Here is a link to Maya’s help on how to do so: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAYAUL/2022/ENU/?guid=GUID-C0F27A50-3DD6-454C-A4D1-9E3C44B3C990

I do have plans of offering both Python 2 and Python 3 version of my plug-ins in the future. Stay tuned for more information.

Cyber Monday 2019 Sale Starts NOW!

December 1, 2019 1 comment


My Cyber Monday sale starts NOW! Now through when I disable the code sometime on Tuesday, use the promo code cybermonday2019 for 35% any product in my Gumroad Store! The code can be used as many times as you want.

Streets of Asia 2 | 3Delight to Arnold

September 4, 2019 5 comments

Over the last couple years I’ve been working on plug-ins for Maya to help make Daz Studio content a viable option for use in Maya. It’s been quite a quest. I originally started this journey to create the tools I need for my own personal projects, projects that have not yet all been revealed except to a few friends.

First, I wanted to have access to a wide variety of affordable characters and the ability to customize them quickly and easily, hence Daz Studio and Genesis 8 for Maya. Genesis 8 for Maya is necessary to be able to use all of Daz characters’s joint controlled morphs (JCMs) in Maya, so they deform properly, otherwise a large portion of their value is lost. It also helps streamline the workflow by setting up the character properly for export, it makes it easier to export additional blend shapes, and also helps make Daz Studio clothing more useful by exporting the JCMs for the clothing as well and making it easy to export adjustment morphs.

Next, I wanted to be able to use the materials for Daz Studio content quickly and efficiently. Manually converting shaders is a long and tedious process prone to error. Trying to convert an entire environment can take days, not to mention requires quite a bit of knowledge of render engines in general and their differences. This led me to start creating my LayLo3D Shader System. A plug-in I started around a year ago.

Finally, about a year later LoL, it’s getting close to release.

I would like to start to introduce what is possible with my next product, my LayLo3D Shader System.

This is a render of the results of using my plug-in to convert Stonemason’s Streets of Asia 2 from 3Delight to Arnold. No additional tweaking of the shaders was done after conversion. The only thing I did was set up an aiSkyDome light with a HDR image to light the scene and I hid the sky dome mesh that’s included with the Streets of Asia 2 environment so that it wouldn’t block the light from my aiSkyDome light.

Image Credits:

LayLo3D Pose Library for Maya – Now Available!

August 13, 2019 22 comments

Now you can use Daz 3D poses directly in Maya and save HumanIK poses to use them again later!

I’d like to introduce my LayLo3D Pose Library for Maya.

My Pose Library creates a user interface in Maya for both your Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 Male and Female poses. It automatically finds your Daz 3D content libraries and pulls the poses from their corresponding folders.

It’s compatible with HumanIK (HIK) and doesn’t require the use of any specific HIK definition to work properly. It includes a HIK calibration tool to figure out your custom HIK definition and then work accordingly.

It automatically converts pose from Genesis 3 to Genesis 8 and from Genesis 8 to Genesis 3.

It has a built in “Pose Mixer” feature that allows you to right click on a pose in it’s library and select which limb from the preset you would like to take the pose information from and apply it to your characters corresponding limb.

It includes a “Custom HumanIK” pose library allowing you to save your own HIK poses complete with a snapshot of the pose for easy reference. If you don’t use HIK it has one for poses based off the characters joint rotation values as well.

What’s Included and Features

  • LayLo3D Pose Library for Maya
    • Graphical user interface for browsing your Daz 3D poses
    • Compatible with HumanIK
    • HumanIK calibration tool
    • Automatically converts poses from Genesis 3 to Genesis 8
    • Automatically converts poses from Genesis 8 to Genesis 3
    • Built in Pose Mixer
    • Saves/Loads custom poses based off joint rotations
    • Saves/Loads custom HumanIK poses
    • Custom graphical user interface for browsing both custom pose libraries
    • Pose snapshots for saved custom poses
    • Settable plug-in starting preferences
    • Library is dockable/undockable inside Maya
    • Reads figure pose presets
    • Reads figure hierarchical pose presets
    • Reads prop prose presets
  • Product Compatibility
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Maya 2016+
    • Genesis 8 for Maya
    • Genesis 3 for Maya
    • DazToMaya
  • Known Limitations
    • Hierarchical pose presets can’t find props to pose
    • HumanIK posing is about 97% accurate not 100%*
    • “Pose Control” information is lost and will not be used for posing
    • *Depending on the HumanIK definition pose accuracy can vary

FaceCap X – Now Available! | Affordable Facial Motion Capture for Genesis 3/8 Characters

May 10, 2019 33 comments

FaceCap X has now been retired. An updated version will soon be available and re-branded as Face Mojo.

FaceCap X is a low cost facial motion capture solution for Autodesk Maya that allows you to quickly bring to life any Daz 3D Genesis 3 or Genesis 8 character.

Using an iPhone X or newer, record your mocap data with the Face Cap app then use our plug-in to quickly add 51 custom FACS blend shapes to any G8/G3 character and rig it’s face with just 1 click.

Then, with our easy to use setup import the Face Cap data and just like magic your characters face will come alive.

Key features include:

  • Add 51 FACS morphs to any Genesis 3/8 character whether in a new or existing scene.
  • Instantly rig your character’s face with 1 click.
  • Apply Face Cap data with 1 click.
  • Individual strength modifiers for all 51 blend shapes.
  • Ability to randomize strengths for independent areas of the face.

See How it Works:

Genesis 8 for Maya – Version 2.00 Update

December 28, 2018 24 comments

Genesis 8 for Maya - Version 2.00I recently updated Genesis 8 for Maya.

Version 2.00 has some important improvements you’ll want to get your hands on.

The Changes…

The Genesis 8 Male import bug has been fixed.
Object ‘Genesis8Female_Group’ not found.

It was suggested to me that I should change the root group back to a joint, how it is normally when a figured is exported out of Daz Studio via FBX. I was told this setup would work better in game engines. I was hesitant to make and I hope doesn’t have a negative impact on anyone.

Tweaked a couple JCM expression to make them mimic Daz Studio more closely.

Changed all the Daz Studio export scripts to properly export locked JCMs that previously would not be exported out properly.

Added better handling of geo-grafts and set the genitalia geo-grafts extra meshes to be hidden automatically, which reveals the version that is welded to the mesh.

Added full support for the following Daz Original Base figures:

  • Zelara 8
  • Latonya 8
  • Gia 8
  • Mei Lin 8
  • Lee 8
  • Vladimir 8
  • The Brute 8
  • Toon Dwayne 8

I hope you find these updates to be improvements, enjoy!

Genesis 3 for Maya – Now Available!

September 2, 2018 13 comments

Well it’s official, Genesis 3 for Maya is now available! Actually it’s been available for about a week now. Apparently I’m late to my own party… What can I say, I have a lot of stuff going…

Genesis 3 for Maya

Currently only available in my Gumroad store: https://gumroad.com/laylo3d

Genesis 3 for Maya has all the same great features as Genesis 8 for Maya and fully supports all the Daz Original Core characters.

The features include:

  • Configures Joint Controlled Morphs (JCMs) for all Daz 3D Original Core characters, both male and females (JCMs clean up ugly joint deformations beyond what is capable with just weight maps).
  • Only exports the JCMs that the character uses, not all the JCMs.
  • Organizes the Shape Editor, so you don’t have to dig through all the JCMs to find your morphs, expression, and pose controls.
  • Export morphs, pose controls, and expressions out with your character by simply setting them as favorites In Daz Studio before running the export script.
  • Works with geo-grafts including anatomical elements (minimal manual setup required, I have a video in the manual showing how).
  • Sets up the figure with HumanIK in Maya.
  • Has HumanIK definitions for both MotionBuilder and “roll leaf” joint definitions available in Maya 2016 Extension 1+.
  • Provides renaming options to keep a clean scene and make it easier to set up shaders for Maya.
  • Compatible with Maya 2016+

See what other people have to say about the time saving and animation improving results this product has to offer in the comments of the Genesis 8 for Maya intro video (this Genesis 3 version has all the same great features).

For more information see the Genesis 8 for Maya Manual (Genesis 3 for Maya works the same way except with Genesis 3 instead of Genesis 8).

There will be a Genesis 3 for Maya!

August 19, 2018 11 comments

UPDATE: Now available! Check it out in my Gumroad store:
https://gumroad.com/laylo3d

I’m excited to announce that there will be a Genesis 3 for Maya!

As Daz3D is not interested in brokering it (because it doesn’t support the latest generation figures), it will only be available through my channels.

I’ve already started on getting it together and should have it available within the next few days.

It will have all the same great features as Genesis 8 for Maya and I will maintain both of them together.

Stay tuned.

To be notified when it releases and stay up to date on my Daz – Maya Integration content and products signup below:

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Genesis 8 for Maya 1.10 Update Coming Soon – Important Update Notes

August 7, 2018 2 comments

I recently submitted an update for Genesis 8 for Maya that should be released sometime soon and wanted to go over some of the important changes.

Added Set Driven Keys for the eyelid joints surrounding the eyeballs.

Prior to this change when rotating the eyeballs they would commonly poke through the eyelids. The new functionality also more closely mimics that of Daz Studio. There is also a limitation with Daz Studio’s FBX export that it does not export out the negative affect of morphs and pose controls. Therefore, the “Eyes Side-Side” and “Eyes Up-Down” would only move the eyes and eyelids in one direction. I feel this is a good solution to the problem. If this change negatively affects using your mocap systems, the connections to the eyelid joints can be broken to remove the effects of the “Set Driven Keys.”

“Smooth Mesh Preview” with “Preview Division Levels” set to 2 and “Use Preview Level for Rendering” will now be turned on automatically inside Maya for both the figure mesh and eyelashes (if they were exported).

With most render engines this change should make the mesh less faceted and look better when rendered.

Genesis 8 will now be exported out of Daz Studio at the “Base Resolution” level.

I recently learned that even though FBX export always exports the mesh with the same number of polygons of that of the base resolution mesh, if the resolution level isn’t set to base before export the mesh is smoothed a little bit and doesn’t look good when subdivided inside Maya. This should also make it easier if you decide to create any extra blend shapes for your figure.

Added an option to select an alternate HumanIK definition that is compatible with MotionBuilder when importing the figure into Maya.

The original HumanIK definition isn’t compatible with MotionBuilder 2018 and would need to be re-defined if you sent the scene to MotionBuilder. The difference between the two definitions is that the arm and leg roll joints get defined as “roll” joints for the MotionBuilder HumanIK definition and required slightly different arm rotations. With the original definition they get defined as “roll leaf” joints.

I don’t know all the implications of using one definition over the other. If you use motion capture I would suggest trying both and see what one produces better results. Please let me and everyone else know in the comments below. Please note when sending a scene to MotionBuilder (MB) that it doesn’t support “Set Driven Keys” and the JCM functionality of Genesis 8 for Maya will be lost. Also, after sending the scene to MB some blend shapes get turned on inside of MB and the mesh may appear distorted. Either turn off the influence of the blendshapes inside MB or delete the blend shapes from the scene in Maya before sending it to MB.

Added full support for Mabel 8 and Teen Kaylee 8.

I hope you find these updates an improvement, please provide any feedback in the comments below.

Thanks!

Genesis 3 for Maya?

June 29, 2018 Leave a comment

UPDATE: Now available! Check it out in my Gumroad store:
https://gumroad.com/laylo3d

After releasing my latest product Genesis 8 for Maya, I’ve gotten quite a few requests for a Genesis 3 version.

I can definitely create a Genesis 3 version, but due to the difference in their default pose I would have to re-figure out all the rotation values for their JCMs and update the code for all of them accordingly. I would need to address differences in character names and in the naming conventions that the different artists use when naming their JCMs. And, I would have to squash any bugs that may arise, which somehow they always seem to arise…

While that may not sound like much, defining the JCMs for Maya is the bulk of my code. For each character there’s about 200 lines of code for the JCMs. I like to be thorough and support all the Daz Original core characters, so multiple that by 10+ females and 10+ males and I’m sure you can imagine how the work load starts to add up.

I’ve spoken with Daz and at this time they’re not interested in brokering a Genesis 3 version. So, I’m trying to figure out how I can support Genesis 3 without taking a personal financial loss. I would like to say that Genesis 8 for Maya did so well it would cover the time required to add support for Genesis 3, but the truth is, while I feel it did okay, at this point for the amount of time I put into it I’m not even sure I made it to minimum wage. 🙁

With that being said I wanted to turn to the community for advice. Please check out the survey below:

The survey period has ended and this survey is now closed.

If you have any other suggestions, ideas, questions or concerns please leave them in the comments below.

P.S.
Please share this post with as many people as possible, or at least anyone that you think might be interested in a Genesis 3 for Maya. If we’re going to make this happen we may need as much community support as possible.

Thank you!