XGen Editor File menu

Import Collections or Descriptions

Opens the Import Collections or Descriptions window, which lets you load Collection (.xgen) or Description (.xdsc) files into the current scene.

Note: When you import a Description into the current scene, the target surface geometry must have the same topology as the original geometry. Otherwise, any Ptex maps associated with the Description have no effect.

Select File > Import Collections or Descriptions from the XGen Editor to set Import Collections or Descriptions options.

Import Preset

Opens the Import Preset window, which lets you apply an XGen preset Description to the selected mesh. You can use XGen presets as a starting point for hair and fur grooms and instanced geometry or as a way of creating shot-based grooms, landscapes, and environments. XGen presets are topology independent.

Select File > Import Preset from the XGen Editor to set the Import XGen preset options. See also Create hair, fur, or instanced geometry using XGen presets.

Import Grooming

Lets you load the Ptex files associated with a groomables spline when importing a groomable spline Description. Import the Collection or Description before using Import Groom See Import Collections or Descriptions options.

Select File > Import from the XGen Editor, and then click the browse icon and browse to the locate the folders containing the Ptex files for the attribute maps, masks, and regions maps used by the groomable splines.

Export Collections or Descriptions

Opens the Export Collections or Descriptions window, which lets you save Collection (.xgen) or Description (.xdsc) files. You can load Collection or Description files into the current scene or other scenes.

Select File > Export Collections or Descriptions from the XGen Editor to set Export Collections or Descriptions options.

Export as Preset

Opens the Export Preset window, which lets you save the selected Description as an XGen preset. You can then apply the preset to other mesh objects. Presets also provide a way of sharing and transferring XGen Descriptions in production pipelines.

Select File > Export Preset from the XGen Editor to set Export Preset options See Save hair, fur, or instanced geometry as XGen presets.

Important:

• You cannot create XGen presets from a groomable splines Description.
• If you save a preset that contains Ptex-based mask or region maps, Maya creates a Ptex map expression with the necessary connections in the preset file. You must repaint the map values on the preset's target mesh (see Create hair or fur using XGen presets).
• XGen presets do not support animated attributes.
• You must have the mental ray for Maya plugin loaded to save hair, fur, or instanced geometry as XGen presets.

Export Grooming

Opens the Export Grooming window, which lets you save the Ptex files associated with a groomable splines.

Select File > Export Grooming from the XGen Editor to set Export Grooming options.

Export Patches for Batch Render

Opens the Export Patches for Batch Render window, which lets you export per-frame information about the Description patches to an XPD cache file. Maya saves the XPD file to the set xgen folder using the Description name.

Select File > Export Patches for Batch Render from the XGen Editor to set Export Patches for Batch Render options.

See also Render XGen primitives.

Export Selection as Archive(s)

Opens the Export Selection as Archive(s) window, which lets you save Maya geometry in a scene file as XGen archive geometry. When you export the geometry, Maya creates archive (.xarc) files and other files that contain information about geometry, its shading network, and render proxies.

Select File > Export Selection as Archive(s) from the XGen Editor to set Export Selection as Archive(s) options.

See also Create custom archives.

Batch Convert Scenes to XGen Archive(s)

Opens the Batch Convert Scenes to XGen Archive(s) window, which lets you convert Maya geometry in selected scenes to XGen archive geometry. When selected for conversion, Maya creates archive (.xarc) files (and other supporting archive files). For information about the files created in the conversion, see Custom archive primitives and Create custom archives.

Select File > Batch Convert Scne to XGen Archive(s) from the XGen Editor to set Batch Convert Scenes to Archives options.