Create Alembic cache files

You can create Alembic cache files from the polygon or NURBS objects in your scene. When you save objects to Alembic caches, the object hierarchies of the origin geometry are preserved in the file.

A number of Advanced Options in the Alembic Export window let you specify what is saved to the cache file.

To create an Alembic cache

  1. Do one of the following:
    • To save all objects in the scene to a cache file, select Cache > Alembic Cache > Export All to Alembic > .
    • To save selected objects, select the objects you want cached, then select Cache > Alembic Cache > Export Selection to Alembic > .
  2. In the Alembic Export window, set the General Options you want.
  3. (Optional) To add dynamic or custom attributes to your cache, expand the Attributes section and do the following:
    • Type the name of the attribute in the Attribute field then click Add.
    • Select an attribute in the Channel Box then click From Channel Box.

    Added attributes appear in the table under Attribute.

  4. (Optional) In the Advanced Options section, set the options you want.
    Note: To have the Alembic cached geometry inherit the shading network of the original geometry, turn on UV Write. See Merge Alembic caches with Maya objects.
  5. (Optional) In the Callback section, type MEL or Python callback strings.
  6. Click Export All/ Export Selection.

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