maya (file loader || file format spec)

#1

Hey! :slight_smile:

I want to build an animated model in Maya for my hobby game engine. The model needs to operate in real time and will be built with OpenGL. The problem is getting the Maya model into my game. Questions:

Is there an open source C++ file loader out there for Maya files?

Are there tools to convert maya skeletal animation models to other common formats (eg HL)?

Can I obtain the spec for Maya file formats?

tia

#2

I don’t think you really want a Maya file loader. Maya files are just a collection of MEL commands that instruct Maya on how to build the scene again.

You want an exporter that will write out scenes in a suitable format for your game. iirc there is a tutorial on gamedev.net on writing a Maya library application that will read a maya scene file and spit out a whole load of game-engine-suitable stuff.

So you don’t need an open-source Maya file loader. Everything you need is right there in the dev kit!

#3

Thx for the post :slight_smile:

I did a google using some of your keywords and found a neat article that looks like the one you’re referring to: http://www.oroboro.com/rafael/docserv.php?entry_point=maya.

I also saw a lot of links that said the Alias crew is giving tutorials on Maya exporters at this year’s GDC, however I didn’t see any links to actual code.

Thx for the help :slight_smile:

Hmmm, you think Maya should have an XML output format instead of text? :wink: What would be cool is to have a stylesheet to convert the XML to a binary format suited to your own needs. The binary format would be for fast model loading.

#4

maybe this helps to get you started

http://www.ewertb.com/maya/api/api.php?howto=18

#5

I did this last year on my school project. I found an OBJ loader tutorial on GameTutorials.com (http://www.gametutorials.com/Tutorials/opengl/OpenGL_Pg4.htm) I rewrote that in a more object-oriented way. Then I used Maya’s OBJ exporter to export all my models from Maya.

You can find the spesification of the OBJ format here: http://www.tnt.uni-hannover.de/js/soft/compgraph/fileformats/docs/OBJ.format.txt

Happy programming :slight_smile:

#6

thx for the help dudes, you rock :bowdown:

#7

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