Create assembly definitions

The Assembly definition for each asset must be saved as a separate Maya .ma or .mb file. (A Maya file can contain only one assemblyDefinition node.)

To create an assembly definition

1. Start a new Maya scene by selecting File > New Scene.
   Tip: Since an assembly definition is also a scene file, an easy way to identify assembly definitions in your scene directory is to append the scene file names with the suffix _AD.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Select Create > Scene Assembly > Create Assembly Definition > .
   • -click an empty space in the Outliner and select Scene Assembly > Create Assembly Definition > from the menu that appears.
3. In the Assembly Definition Options window, set the options you want and click Create.

   For example, a Locator representation is added to the assembly definition by default unless you turn off Add Locator representation.

   An assembly definition node is added to the scene and appears in the Outliner represented by a file icon . For information about assemblyDefinition node attributes, see assemblyDefinition.

   (Optional) You can now add Cache and Scene representations to the assembly definition. See Add assembly representations.

   Tip: Rename the assembly definition nodes to match the name of the asset they represent.

Related topics

• Add assembly representations
• Assemble the scene using assembly references
• Switching active assembly representations