Import files with Autodesk Translation Framework (ATF)

This release of Maya uses a new file translation system: ATF (Autodesk Translation Framework). Autodesk Translation Framework (ATF) simplifies data exchange of both Autodesk and 3rd-party file formats.

Currently, there is only import support for AFT in Maya.

Note: We recommend using Direct Connect for export. If you do not have access to Direct Connect from a preexisting Maya 2016 install, we recommend using .obj for mesh export and .iges for surface export.

To import ATF files:

  1. Select File > Import. The Maya Import window appears.
  2. Locate your ATF file and select from one of the following supported ATF file types:
    • IGES_ATF
    • IT_ATF
    • SAT_ATF
    • STP_ATF
    • STL_ATF
    • INVENTOR_ATF
    • CATIAV4_ATF
    • CATIAV5_ATF
    • NX_ATF
  3. Expand File Type Specific Options and activate Tesslate Objects to activate the Enable Customization option.
  4. Activate Enable Customization to expose Tolerence, Grid Aspect Ratio and Edge length settings. For a description of these settings, see Autodesk Translation Framework (ATF) in the Import options topic.
    5. Note: ATF becomes unstable if you import an .iges file, followed importing a .step file or vice-versa. Try to import them as separate functions.

Inventor files

ATF cannot import Inventor files unless you manually copy the Inventor files into the ATF plug-in folder.
Note: ATF and Inventor Server are exchanged via ATFXML file format. This intermediate format is not guaranteed to be compatible between different ATF versions. The recommended way is to use the same ATF version that is included in Inventor Server.

To copy Inventor files into the ATF plug-in folder:

  1. Install Inventor Server. Make sure that ATFXML is enabled.
  2. Navigate to the install location, e.g. C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor Server <version> and copy all the files. Ensure that everything is copied, including Inventor Server and inventorserverclient_x64.manifest.
  3. Locate the Maya ATF folder (C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya<version>\plug-ins\ATF\ATF) and paste the files here

Alias wire files

To import Alias wire files, use the studioImport plug-in.

Parent topic: Data Exchange