Exchange 3D Models with Maya

Use the Send To option to easily export and import 3D models to and from Maya.

You can export your work from Action and quickly import it into Maya using context menu Send to Maya. Send to exports from Flame using the Autodesk FBX file format.

The Send to options are designed to support a common, iterative, round-tripping workflow that lets a production start with a scene in one product, export the content to Maya for added paint or sculpting detail, then merge back to the original scene.

In this workflow, you can continually refine content in Maya as needed. In particular, you can incorporate topology changes midstream in the sculpting or painting process, updating the active object in Maya when topology is modified in the content creation application (for example, to provide greater resolution in one specific area, or to support better deformation by the rig).

Sending to Maya

In Flame, you can send to Maya any Geometry object in an Action module (tool, Batch, or BFX).

1. In the Action node, select the Geometry objects to send.

2. From the Action context menu, select Send to Maya Send Selected as New Scene.

   The Send To commands establish a connection between Flame and Maya. While the connection is established, the applications share data. To break the connection, simply close the scene or exit Maya or Flame.

   Important: You must have installed an equivalent major version of the other application to see the Send To command options. For example, the Send to Maya option is available if you are running Flame 2020.3 and Maya 2020 (Send To Flame became available in Flame 2020.3.)

When you send a geometry from Flame to Maya, consider the following:

• While you can send material and texture maps along with the geometry, the different maps ends up baked in in Maya.
• If you plan on painting the geometry in Maya, make sure that you have a material node attached to the geometry in Flame.
• Maya works best with a mesh of quads. When loading one of the provided 3D shapes in Flame, import the shape from the PBS_QUADS folder.
• Send To... uses the object names to track the objects between products: be careful not to rename an object. If you do rename an object accidentally, going back to the original name before using Send To... to send back the object should preserve the link.

Sending to Flame

1. Select File > Send To Flame, then select an export suboption:

   • Send as New Scene

     Sends only the selected objects to Flame. (If nothing is selected, Maya sends the whole scene.) The selected objects are imported into a new Action node in the active Batch or Batch FX.

   • Update Current Scene

     Updates the matching geometry in Flame the current Action schematic.

   • Add to Current Scene

     Adds the selected object to the current Action schematic.

   Maya starts Flame and the scene is imported in a new Action node, in the last used Batch schematic. If Flame is already running, the scene is imported in the active Action schematic. If there is no Action schematic displayed, the scene is imported in a new Action node, in the Batch schematic that you most recently opened.

If Send To Isn't Available

It is recommended to share data between Flame and Maya using the Send to Maya feature. However, if you are attempting to share data between differing major versions of the software, for example, Flame 2020.3 and Maya 2019, the Send to Maya feature is not available. Instead you must manually export and import the model as an FBX file.

• In the Action schematic: From the context menu select Export....
• In Maya: Select File > Open Scene or File > Import, and select the model you exported from Flame.