Import or export animation clips

This topic describes how to import or export animation data as clips in the Trax Editor. For other information on importing and exporting animation, see Export .atom animation and Import .atom animation.

Tip: You can import single or multiple clips into your scene by dragging them from a file browser to the Maya scene or to a character in the Trax Editor. See Cut, copy, and paste clips.

Attention: Before importing animation data, always check your current Playback preferences, which can affect the import of animation data. See Time Slider preferences.

To import a clip or pose to a scene

1. In the Trax menu bar, select File > Import Animation Clip in the Trax Editor File menu.

   The Import file browser window appears.

2. In the file browser window, select the file that contains the clip(s) or pose(s) you want to import.
   Note: You can only import clip or pose files that have valid (.ma, .mb, or .mov) file extensions.
3. Click Import.

   If you import a clip, it appears in the Visor under Unused Clips. If you import a pose, it appears in the Visor under Unused Poses.

4. Do one of the following:
   • Middle-click the clip or pose in the Visor and drag it to a character in the track view area.
   • Select the clip or pose in the Visor and then copy and paste it to a character set in the Trax Editor. See Cut, copy, and paste clips.

To import clips or poses to a character

1. Select any part of the character (for example, select a bone from the character's skeleton) in the scene view.

   You can also select a character from the Current Character Set drop-down list, or highlight the character you want in the track view area. (See Highlight characters, groups, or subcharacters in Trax).

2. In the Trax menu bar, select File > Import Animation Clip to Characters.

   The Import file browser window appears.

3. In the file browser window, select the file that contains the clip(s) or pose(s) you want, then click Import.

   By default, the clip is placed in the Visor and directly under the selected character in the Trax Editor.

To import clips or poses to a character without placing it in Trax

1. Select any part of the character (for example, select a bone from the character's skeleton) in the scene view.

   You can also select a character from the Current Character Set drop-down list, or highlight the character you want in the track view area.

2. In the Trax menu bar, select File > Import Animation Clip to Characters > .
3. In the Import Clip To Character Option that appears, turn on Put Clip in Visor Only, then click Import Clip.
4. In the file browser window, select the file that contains the clip(s) or pose(s) you want to import and click Import.

   If you import a clip, it appears in the Visor under Character Clips. If you import a pose, it appears in the Visor under Character Poses.

5. You can now middle-drag the imported clips or poses in the Visor or Outliner and drag them to the character in Trax. See Use the Visor with Trax or Use the Outliner with Trax.

To export clips or poses from your current scene

1. Select the clips or poses you want to export.
2. In the Trax menu bar, select File > Export Animation Clip.

   The Export file browser window appears.

3. In the Export file browser window, enter the file name for the clips or poses, select a file type (mayaAscii, mayaBinary, move), and click Export.
   Note: When exporting clips or poses, you must assign them valid (.ma, .mb, or .mov) file extensions. Otherwise, you will not be able to import the clips or poses into a Maya scene.

   The clips or poses are exported and saved under the name your entered and as the specified file type.

To export clips or poses from the Visor

1. In the Visor, open the section where the clip you want to export is stored by clicking the appropriate tab (Character Clips, Character Poses, Unused Clips, or Unused Poses).
2. Right-click the clip or pose you want to export, and select Export from the menu that appears.
3. In the Export file browser window, enter a file name for the clips or poses, select a file type (mayaAscii, mayaBinary, move), click Export again.

   The clip is exported and saved under the name your entered and as the specified file type.