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View Full Version : Still no way to export .ma (maya ascii)?

Kokosing
11-15-2006, 04:35 PM
I'd like to export my camera to Maya Ascii (for use in Shake's Multiplane Node.) I gather from an archived post that this wasn't possible in the past. Has anything changed here? BTW - using Maya isn't an option at this point.

Thanks for any ideas,

W
ArndtvonKoenigsmarck
11-15-2006, 05:21 PM
So this is just a pure text (ASCII) file format?
Do you have an example file for me? Maybe I can help...
tcastudios
11-15-2006, 06:47 PM
Isn't there the option to export straight to Shake from Cinema?
Shouldn't that be the way?

Cheers
Lennart
Kokosing
11-15-2006, 07:31 PM
Hi Arndt, I don't know much about maya or it's file formats. I've attached one I exported from my Matchmoving app. I've changed the extension to .rtf from .ma in order to upload it.

The scene is a camera with keys on every frame and several nulls on or near the ground plane. I suppose the type of file I'd like to move out of C4D would be similar.

Here's what the Shake Manual says about importing the file:

Using Camera and Tracking Data From .ma Files The MultiPlane node supports .ma (Maya ASCII) files, allowing you to import 3D camera paths from a variety of 3D animation packages, or use 3D tracking data clouds generated by third-party tracking applications.

All I really need to get at is camera parameters and animation. Ideally though the point cloud data (coordinates for potentially hundreds of nulls) would be part of the file as well.

If this is a pain, don't worry about it. I don't see it as something that lots of users would want - but maybe I'm wrong.

Anyway thanks alot for taking a look.

Cheers,

Will
Simon Wicker
11-15-2006, 07:45 PM
Isn't there the option to export straight to Shake from Cinema?
Shouldn't that be the way?

Cheers
Lennart

unlike the AE export cinema only creates a multilayer node containing the renders for shake, camera data is not supported.

cheers, simon w.
ArndtvonKoenigsmarck
11-15-2006, 07:49 PM
Hi Will,
I will have a look.
chris_b
11-15-2006, 10:35 PM
This would be a HUGE plus.....! Also import of .ma would make moving cameras from Maya to C4D much less time-consuming.
Kokosing
11-16-2006, 08:38 AM
This would be a HUGE plus.....! Also import of .ma would make moving cameras from Maya to C4D much less time-consuming.

I think import has been discussed (and perhaps solved.) Here's a thread.
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=253099&highlight=maya+ascii

Or are you hoping for a more formal solution?

Cheers,

Will
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