Export file references

You can select objects in your scene and export them to a new, referenced file using the Outliner or the Reference Editor. When you export objects as file references, Maya creates a new scene file in the specified location and references that file into the open parent scene.

You can also set options in the Export Selection Options, then use File > Export Selection > in the main menu bar to export selected objects as referenced files.

Note: You cannot use Export Selection As Reference (in the Outliner) to export objects that are already referenced in the parent scene. You can export the entire scene and preserve the current references in the resulting file, using File > Export All.
Note: If you reference Blue Pencil drawings into another scene using File Referencing, they do not appear. They are meant to be added to the final scene.

To export references from the Outliner

    Note: One advantage of using Export Selection As Reference in the Outliner is that resulting referenced objects maintain their worldspace position and do not need to be repositioned after being loaded into the parent scene.
  1. In the Outliner, right-click the object you want to export as a referenced file, and select Reference > Export Selection As Reference > from the menu that appears.
  2. In the Export Selection As Reference Options, set the export and reference options you want.
  3. In the file browser that appears, navigate to the location you want to store the file, type a File name, and click Export Selection As Reference.

    Maya creates a new scene file and references it into the current scene.

To export references using the Export Selection Options window

  1. In the scene, select the object you want to export as a referenced file.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • In the Reference Editor (File > Reference Editor), select File > Export Selection > .
    • From the main menu bar, select File > Export Selection > .

    The Export Selection Options window appears.

  3. In the Reference Options section of the Export Selection Options window, turn on Keep only a reference.

    You can also set other referencing options, such as namespace or proxies options.

    Maya creates a new scene file and references it into the current scene.

Related topic

Parent topic: Work with File References