Plugins are helpful tools that expand the software’s functionality and boost your productivity.
3D artists who work with VFX, 3D animation, character design, and modeling in Maya, a leading VFX and animation software, often use various plugins. Correct plugin usage makes dealing with this editor much faster and more efficient. By choosing a suitable combination of plugins for Maya, the creators can use new functions, automate repetitive tasks, and set the software to match their needs best.
Before installing the plugin, check if it’s compatible with the version of Maya you use, and make sure that it suggests unique tools or features compared to the built-in ones in Maya. It’s better to download the regularly updated plugins (they will stay relevant with future Maya versions) and ensure that the developer supports customers if problems with the plugin occur.
You can also develop your own plugins for Maya using Autodesk’s Software Development Kit.
We have spoken with Nicolás Claisse, a 3D artist at the mobile video game company Tactile Games based in Denmark. He shared the nuances of using his favorite plugins for Maya properly.
Nicolás, on what current projects do you use the best plugins for Maya?
My responsibilities in Tactile Games vary, from modeling and texturing environments or characters to ensuring the technical aspects of some assets. What I find intriguing is the opportunity to learn and experiment with different processes throughout the production chain. Our games are essentially “makeover games” with a match-3 gameplay element for unlocking new furniture or clothing options.
In my spare time, I’m developing a personal project called EnigCast. It’s a mystery game set in virtual reality where the protagonist, a girl named Enig, is trying to remember why she’s there. In the future, I plan to introduce it as a playable stream on Twitch — so stay tuned for that!
What plugins for Maya do you prefer in your work and why
The beauty of Maya lies in its flexibility to create your own plugins and scripts. However, most plugins I use are already included in the base program. According to my experience, some of the best plugins for Maya are Arnold, Substance Package, Alembic, Xgen/Yeti, Unfold3D, and Mash. These tools are intuitive, powerful, and well-integrated into my workflow, allowing me to connect with other programs easily.
My personal favorite is Mash — it’s a versatile tool for creating patterns, particle effects, and much more. I’ve used this plugin extensively while working on Ian, a touching short movie about a boy with a disability who goes through hardships while trying to make friends.
I used Mash as a Maya particle plugin to create the particles for the character’s disintegration scenes. This posed a challenge, as we had many shots with this specific detail. To achieve our goal, we created the particle and applied it to the already animated character. Using the Mash controllers, we animated the direction and rate of detachment. All of this was then integrated into the final composition.
As I mentioned earlier, Mash is one of the most powerful plugins for Maya. This tool allows for creating complex VFX, patterns, and simulations. I usually use it for procedural tasks, like distributing objects on the ground or creating base blockings. Its applications are only limited by your imagination.
How about the other Maya plugins you mentioned
Well, Arnold is Maya’s base rendering engine, which I often use for quick visualizations of my work. With the advent of real-time platforms like Unreal and Unity, Arnold is now primarily used for quick checks.
I occasionally use Xgen/Yeti for creating grass, but I’ve found it less intuitive for creating hair or fur, which is a specialized task in our industry.
Substance Package is a convenient way to visualize your work within Maya, particularly useful when frequently switching between programs for adjustments and automatic texture assignments. I typically use the Substance Package when texturing a scene and need to transfer and assemble shaders in Maya quickly. Its convenience lies in its ability to detect nodes and generate a render with the same values you worked with in Substance.
Another helpful plugin for Maya is Alembic which allows me to transfer animations to other programs. It’s like printing the project and only moving the mesh with the animation, without the controls. Alembic is an excellent method for storing and transferring animation and geometry information between different scenes or even different software applications. I’m currently using it extensively to transfer animations from Maya to Unreal Engine, from where I then work on lighting and materials.
Unfold3D is also one of the best Maya plugins. It is a powerful tool for quickly creating UVs. It offers numerous methods for organizing your UVs in a neat and accurate manner. I consistently use this plugin to generate the UVs for any modeling I do. It’s highly practical for any type of prop or character.
How to get the most out of Maya plugins
Finding the right combination of plugins and refining your workflow can lead to efficient solutions. These plugins form the foundation of a good workflow, but there are countless other options in this ever-evolving industry. Often, the essential tools you need come with the core program. Plugins that bridge to other programs can be beneficial, as not everyone works the same way — and that’s perfectly okay!
Remember, the most important thing is to experiment and do your research. I’m excited about AI’s significant role in this field. I mean the potential applications within our industry as there is currently a lot of tedious and time-consuming work involved. Time is often a scarce resource here. I believe if we can overcome our fear of AI, it will greatly advance our industry and give us more time to produce polished and creative content.
Author: Vira Duzhak
