Build Kit 2.2#

Installation#

Compatibility#

Maya	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Python	2.7	3.x
		✓

How to install#

Extract the RS_Assets folder from the RS_Assets.zip
Extract RS_Build_Kit.pyc from RS_Build_Kit_MAYAVERSION.zip (depending on your Maya Version)
Copy RS_Build_Kit.pyc or RS_Build_Kit.py (Studio Version) and the RS_Assets folder to:

If an RS_Assets folder already exists in your folder

If an RS_Assets folder already exists in the location below, please copy the RS_Build_Kit folder (from inside the extracted RS_Assets folder) and paste it into the existing RS_Assets folder in the location.
WindowsLinuxMac
\Users\USERNAME\Documents\maya\MAYAVERSION\prefs\scripts
$HOME/maya/MAYAVERSION/prefs/scripts
$HOME/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/MAYAVERSION/prefs/scripts
Launch / Restart Maya
In Maya, open a Python Tab in the Script Editor and execute :
1 2 3 4
from importlib import reload import RS_Build_Kit reload(RS_Build_Kit) RS_Build_Kit.MainClass_BuildKit.show_buKi_dialog()
Attention

Please make sure that there are no Space characters in front of each code line.
Maintain settings during a Maya instance

The code above will load a new instance of the tool every time it is executed. To maintain the settings during a Maya session, even if the tool is closed, use the code below:
1 2
import RS_Build_Kit RS_Build_Kit.MainClass_BuildKit.show_buKi_dialog()

Initial Setup Requirements#

Enable Track Selection Order

Make sure Track selection order is enabled

For Quad Fill: Set Boundary Options

Open the Boundary Options
Set the settings as below and save them.

Environment Variables#

To set and use a custom folder location, please open the Maya.env file.

The Maya.env file is located here

WindowsLinuxMac

\Users\USERNAME\Documents\maya\MAYAVERSION

$HOME/maya/MAYAVERSION

$HOME/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/MAYAVERSION

Add the following lines to the Maya.env file:
```
MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH = path\to\your\custom\script\folder
PYTHONPATH = path\to\your\custom\script\folder
RS_TOOLS_PATH = path\to\your\custom\script\folder
```
Attention
1. Replace path\to\your\custom\script\folder with the actual path to your scripts.
2. Make sure there is no forward slash (/) or backward slash (\) at the end of the path.

Interface Basics#

Screenshot Mesh / Selection / Layout tools

Screenshot Import / Export tools

Screenshot Curve tools

Screenshot About / Links / Shortcuts / Scale UI

Tool Settings#

Indicator

A blue line underneath an icon indicates that optional tool settings are available.

Screenshot

How to open?

Open the settings with a RMB ² click.

Position & What settings are open?

The settings widget will appear at the bottom of the tool.
The background of an icon button turns dark gray to indicate it's settings are currently open.

Screenshot

How to close?

To close the settings page RMB ² click the active button again.

Tooltips#

Hover over a button until a tooltip shows up.
Tooltips include information about available Modifier Alt Ctrl Shift and RMB ² settings options.

Screenshot

Please make sure that tooltips are enabled!

In Maya's main menu go to:

Windows > Settings / Preferences > Preferences > Interface > Help

and check DisplayToolClips under PopupHelp

Expand / Collapse tabs#

It is possible to expand or collapse all tabs on an active page.

Expand

Ctrl click on Screenshot or or

Collapse

Alt click on Screenshot or or

Note

A settings page will automatically close when expand or collapse all tabs is used.

Keyboard Shortcuts#

It is possible to control aspects of the tools interface with keyboard shortcuts.

Access pages

1 - Mesh Page

2 - Import / Export Page

3 - Curve Page

4 - About Page

5 - Toggle Tool Menu Visibility

Requirements

The tool needs to have focus, for the shortcuts to work.

Expand / collapse tabs

Ctrl + 1 to expand all tabs on the Mesh Page

Alt + 1 to collapse all tabs on the Mesh Page

Ctrl + 2 to expand all tabs on the Import / Export Page

Alt + 2 to collapse all tabs on the Import / Export Page

Ctrl + 3 to expand all tabs on the Curve Page

Alt + 3 to collapse all tabs on the CurvePage

Attention

This only works on the currently active page.

Minimize to main menu

Alt + 5 to minimize the tool

Screenshot

About Page#

Access the About page by clicking on Screenshot

The page contains information about the tool, web links and options to set up hotkey shortcuts and scale the UI.

Interface - About Page#

Screenshot

Create Hotkey Shortcuts#

How to: Create Shortcuts

LMB ¹ click on the Create Hotkey Shortcuts button

Screenshot

How to: Open Hotkey Editor

Alt + click on the Create Hotkey Shortcuts button to open Maya's hotkey editor.

Info

You can also access the Hotkey Editor under Windows > Settings/Preferences > Hotkey Editor

Scale UI#

Open About Page
Choose a UI scale size in the drop-down menu: 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%
Click the Set UI Scale button
Close and reload the tool

Edit Mesh#

Interface - Edit Mesh#

Screenshot

Combine & Separate #

Combine
Advanced Combine operation
- Clean history (without empty groups)
- Keeps the name of the first selected object
- Stays under current parent
- Option to keep the orientation from the first selected object
- When combining a single group, it keeps the group name
How to use
1. Select 2 or more objects or 1 or more groups
2. LMB ¹ click on to run the script
Add Shift to keep the orientation from the first selected object
Separate
Advanced Separate operation
- Clean history (without empty groups)
- Keeps mesh name and adds a _Sep# suffix
- Stays under current parent
- Centers pivots
- Option to keep the orientation from the first selected object
How to use
1. Select 1 or more combined objects
2. Alt + click on to run the script
Add Shift to keep the orientation from the first selected object

Extract & Duplicate Face #

Extract
Advanced Extract operation
- Clean history (without empty groups)
- Keeps mesh name and adds an _Ext# suffix
- Remains under parent
- Centers pivot
How to use
1. Select one or multiple faces
2. LMB ¹ click on to run the script
Duplicate Face
Advanced Duplicate Face operation
- Clean history (without empty groups)
- Keeps mesh name and adds a _Dup# suffix
- Stays under current parent
- Centers pivot
How to use
1. Select one or multiple faces
2. Alt + click on to run the script

Connect #

Various options to connect components.

Connect Line
How to use
- Select 2 edges from a ring loop
- LMB ¹ click on
Connect Diamond
How to use
- Select a triangle face
- Alt + click on
Connect Corner
How to use
- Select 2 corner edges from a quad polygon face
- Ctrl click on
Connect End
How to use
- Select 3 edges from a quad polygon face
- Shift click on

Append Plus #

Enhanced poly append based on a vertex or edge input.

Append Poly
How to use
- Select one vertex in a corner of 2 edges
- LMB ¹ click on
Caution!

When a face adjoins the newly created vertex that sits across from the selected vertex, the vertices won't be merged. Please use the Append Bridge operation to create a connecting poly face.
Append Bridge
How to use
- Select a border ring edge
- LMB ¹ click on
Append Ring Loop
How to use
- Select two edges within a ring loop
- Alt + click on

Quad Fill #

Automatically fills a polygon hole

Requirements

Edges

The edge count needs to be an even number
Opposite sides need to have the same edge amount

Enable Track Selection Order

Make sure Track selection order is enabled

Set Boundary Options

Open the Boundary Options
Set the settings as below and save them.

How to use: 1 Corner Edge

Use Case

Quickest solution. Best for caps, planar and cylindrical meshes.

Select 1 corner edge
LMB ¹ click on

Examples

Plane area

Screenshot

Cylinder cap

Screenshot

Cylindrical mesh with curvature

Screenshot

Tip

If a cylindrical mesh has curvature, choose a corner edge from the side that best defines the curvature

How to use: 2 Corner Edges

Use Case

Essential when two opposing sides have only 2 edges.

Select 2 corner edges
LMB ¹ click on

Examples

Screenshot

How to use: 3 Edges

Use Case

Essential when the mesh is curved in all directions, but also works with caps, planar etc.

Select 1 corner edge
Select the edge right next to it, to define the direction along the loop
Select 2 corner edge
LMB ¹ click on

Examples

Mesh with curvature

Screenshot

Spherical

Screenshot

How to use: 4 Corner Edges

Use Case

Use this method for more control over the result. Often helpful with caps or when the corner edges are not as clearly defined.

Select 4 corner edges in a "Z" shape (selection order is important!)
LMB ¹ click on

Screenshot

Mirror #

How to use: Mirror

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Check which options you want to apply
- X-Axis: LMB ¹ click on
- Y-Axis: Alt + click on
- Z-Axis: Ctrl click on
To Mirror in World axis:
To Mirror from Pivot position:
- Add Shift to Mirror from the current Pivot position

How to use: Merge Border Vertices

Combine two objects that have overlapping border vertices
Select the combined object
LMB ¹ click the Merge Border Vertices button to run the script

Screenshot

Automatic position renaming

Objects and Groups that have L_, R_ or _l_, _r_ position tags in their naming will automatically be renamed when mirrored in the X-Axis.

Groups

Screenshot

Objects

Screenshot

Pivot Position #

Set pivot positions based on an objects bounding box.

How to use

Center Pivot: Shift + Alt + Ctrl click on
X-Min: LMB ¹ click on
Y-Min: Alt + click on
Z-Min: Ctrl click on

Add Shift for -Max direction

Screenshot

Component Operations #

How to use: Evenly distribute vertices along an edge loop

Select an edge loop
LMB ¹ click on

Screenshot

How to use: Straighten an edge loop

Select an edge loop
Alt + click on

Screenshot

How to use: Restore vertex corner point position

First select each vertices pair of the neighbouring edges
Then add the corner vertex
Ctrl click on

Screenshot

How to use: Clean inset

Select faces
Shift click on
Filter Window: Adjust slider that all required corner edges are highlighted

Manual control

At this stage it is also possible to add or remove edges manually in the viewport, but make sure they are part of the offset edge loop!
Click Accept
Offset Window: Enter a value or use the PLUS / MINUS buttons to increase or decrease the offset
Click Accept

Screenshot

45 Mesh Angle #

Rotate a face selection by 45° from a specified anchor point.

How to use

With face selection:
- Select one or multiple faces.
- Switch to multi select mode. (Hold RMB ² and choose Multi)
- Add 1 edge, which will be the anchor point.
- LMB ¹ click on
Without face selection:
- Select a single border edge, which will be the anchor point
- LMB ¹ click on
Choose how to proceed in the option window:
- Accept: Proceeds with the result on display.
- Opposite: Rotates the face selection in the opposite direction.
- Undo: Returns to the original state.

Instances #

Convert instances to objects.

Screenshot

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Choose a search scope
If you chose Selection: Select a group or instanced objects
LMB ¹ click to convert instances to objects

Settings

Screenshot

Randomize Transforms #

Randomize object or component transforms.

Screenshot

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
If you want to affect indivual objects in a combined mesh, check Combined Object Mode
Check what transforms you want to affect and enter range values.
Choose between Relative or Absolute Transform (Relative adds the new value to the existing transform value of the object.)
Choose an Axis
- X-Axis : LMB ¹ click
- Y-Axis : Alt + click
- Z-Axis : Ctrl click

Object Space / World Space

The default transform will adjust the object in Object Space
Add Shift for World Space

Settings

Screenshot

Tiny Toolbox #

How to use: (Un)Lock nodes and their transforms

Select objects or groups
Lock / Unlock:
- Lock Nodes : LMB ¹ click
- Unlock Nodes : Shift click

Easily find locked nodes

Use the "Select by Type or Status" function to easily find locked nodes

How to use: Individually Group Each Object

Select objects
Alt + click on

Screenshot

How to use: Create Locators

Create Locator at Pivot Position
1. Select Objects and/or Groups
2. Ctrl click
Create Locator at the Center
1. Select Objects or Components
2. Ctrl + Shift click
Create Locator at every selected Component
1. Select Components
2. Ctrl + Shift + Alt click

Select#

Interface - Select#

Screenshot

Topology #

Analyze mesh geometry and detect invalid polygons.

Screenshot

How to use: Icon Basics

LMB ¹ click to check for N-Gons (default / not changeable)
Alt + click to toggle Poly Count display
RMB ² click to open Settings
Ctrl + click to run all checks (output in Script Editor)

How to use: Find Topology Issues

RMB ² click to open the Settings widget
Choose a Topology Type and click the button:
- Triangles: 3-sided polygons
- Quads: 4-sided polygons
- N-Gons: polygons with 5+ sides
- Non-Manifold: geometry that cannot be unfolded into a flat surface
- Lamina: faces sharing all their edges
- Concave: polygons with interior angles > 180°
- Stars: vertices connected to 5+ edges
- Holes: gaps in mesh topology
- Float Verts: isolated vertices with no edge connections
- Stray Verts: vertices connected to only 2 edges
- Hard Edges: sharp transitions between faces
- Border Edges: open mesh boundaries
  - LMB ¹ click to find border edges
  - Alt + click to convert the border edges to curves
- Overlap: geometry occupying identical space
  - LMB ¹ click to check Objects: meshes with coincident bounding boxes
  - Alt + click to check Faces: coplanar faces in the same location
- Intersections: self-intersecting or inter-object geometry conflicts
  - LMB ¹ click to find intersections
  - Alt + click to convert the 'RS_Intersection_Collection' to curves

Poly Count / Wireframe on shaded

The Poly Count information and Wireframe on shaded mode are great for extra feedback.

Poly Count:
1. Find the option under Display > Heads Up Display > Poly Count
2. or Alt click to toggle the Poly Count display
Wireframe on shaded:
1. Go to the viewport menu and click the following icon

Settings

Screenshot

Angle #

Grow a polygon face selection based on a set edge normal angle.

Screenshot

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget.
Set an angle value within the settings page.
LMB ¹ click to run the script.

Tip

Use the slider to interactively change the angle.

Settings

Screenshot

Shortcut

If used as a shortcut through the hotkey editor, the angle value is always 15°.

The angle value and the interactive slider can only be used with and within the tool.

Nth Edge #

Selects every nth edge within a Loop, Ring or Border edge.

Screenshot

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget.
Set a selection value.
Loop: LMB ¹ click

Ring: Alt + click

Border: Ctrl click

Settings

Screenshot

Fill Shell #

Temporarily cut a mesh with an edge selection and select one or multiple of the resulting shells.

Screenshot

How to use

Make a loop or any closed edge selection
Click to start the process
Choose one or multiple shell(s)
Press Ok in the option window to end the process.

Percentage #

Randomly selects a specified percentage from the current object or component selection.

How to use

Select multiple Objects or Components
RMB ² click to open the settings widget.
Specify a percentage value
LMB ¹ click on to run the script

Settings

Screenshot

Component Count #

Find objects that have the same component count as the selected source or specify a poly count range.

How to use

Choose a mode

A. Based on a source object
- Select an object (the source)
B. Based on a value range
- RMB ² click to open the settings widget
- Switch On value mode
- Set a poly count range
- Specify the search scope
Choose a component type
- Face - LMB ¹ click
- Vertices - Alt + click
- Edges - Ctrl click
- UVs - Shift click

Settings

Screenshot

Name #

Search and select objects by name or characters.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Choose a search scope
Enter a name or characters into the text field (Wildcards are supported)
LMB ¹ click to run the script

Settings

Screenshot

Type / Status #

Search and select objects by type or their status.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Choose a search scope
Select a type or status to look for
LMB ¹ click to run the script

Settings

Screenshot

Selection Sets #

Save and manage object and component selections.

How to use: Quick Set

Select Components or Objects
Alt click : Create a new or overwrite an existing Quick Set
Ctrl click : To add further selections to the current Quick Set
LMB ¹ click : Select the Quick Set

How to use: Selection Set List

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Check "Enable Sets List"
Select Components or Objects
Buttons:
- Add: Adds the current selection as a Set to the list
- Save / Load
  - LMB ¹ click: Save Sets to a file
  - Alt click: Load Sets from a file (Overwrites the current list!)
- Shelf: Creates a shelf button from the current selected list item
List Operations:
- Delete: Select an item from the list and press Del to remove it
- Rename: Double click a list item to rename it
Select: Select an item from the list and LMB ¹ click

Toggle between Quick Set and Set List Mode

Shift click to toggle between the modes

Settings

Screenshot

Pattern #

Select by component pattern.

Screenshot

How to use

Select 2 components within a ring or loop (Face, Vertex or Edge)
LMB ¹ click to select further components with the same pattern along the loop

Crease #

Select creased edges. Set / Apply a crease value. Output / Print crease value.

How to use: Select all creased edges

Select objects
LMB ¹ click

How to use: Select creased edges by value or range

Select objects
RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Check Select by Value or Range
Set Min and Max values to define a search range. When both are the same, only edges with that exact value will be selected.
LMB ¹ click

How to use: Set / Apply Crease

Select edges
RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Check Crease Value (If unchecked, Default value is 2)
Set value
Alt + click

How to use: Remove Crease

Select creased edges
RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Check Crease Value (If unchecked, Default value is 2)
Set value
Alt + Shift click

How to use: Output / Print Crease value

Select creased edges
Ctrl click
Check Script Editor or Command Line for output message

How to use: Open Crease Set Editor

Shift click

Settings

Screenshot

Layout#

Interface - Layout#

Screenshot

Place #

Place meshes or groups on a target mesh, right under the mouse cursor location.

Screenshot

Before you start

Check the source objects Y-axis orientation and set a desired pivot location (the point where it gets placed on the target mesh) before adding it to the list.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Select objects or groups
Click the Add button to add them to the list
List Operations:
- Delete: Select an item from the list and press Del to remove it
- Clear List: Click on the Clear button to empty the whole list
Select list items to make them available for placement
Options:
- Random Mesh: Check to place the list objects in a random order
- Instance: Check to place objects as instances
- Random Rotation: Check to add random rotation upon placement
- Random Scale: Check to add random scaling upon placement
LMB ¹ click to start

Settings

Screenshot

Paint #

Paint meshes or groups on a target mesh.

Screenshot

Before you start

Check the source objects Y-axis orientation and set a desired pivot location (the point where it gets placed on the target mesh) before adding it to the list.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Select objects or groups
Click the Add button to add them to the list
List Operations:
- Delete: Select an item from the list and press Del to remove it
- Clear List: Click on the Clear button to empty the whole list
Select list items to make them available for placement
Options:
- Random: Check to place the objects in a random order
- Instance: Check to place iobjects as instances
- Time: Change the value to control the paint density
  - Lower value (Min: 0.01) = faster placement
  - Higher value (Max: 0.20) = slower placement
- Random Rotation: Check to add random rotation upon placement
- Random Scale: Check to add random scaling upon placement
LMB ¹ click to start

Settings

Screenshot

Distribute #

Distribute overlapping objects or groups based on their bounding box or a value.

Screenshot

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
- Select a distribution mode, based on their Bounding Box (BBox) or by Value
- Option to add Spacing between the objects
- Enter a Move value for Value mode
Select 2 or more overlapping objects or groups
Choose an Axis
- X-Axis : LMB ¹ click
- Y-Axis : Alt + click
- Z-Axis : Ctrl click
- Add Shift for negative direction

Settings

Screenshot

Duplicator #

Distribute object or group duplicates based on their bounding box or a value.

Screenshot

How to use:

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Options:
- Gizmo Directions: Check to move duplicates in the objects Manipulator direction (Only works with objects)
- Instance: Check to duplicate instances
Move by settings:
- Select a duplicator mode, based on their Bounding Box or by Value
- Specify the amount of copies
- Option to add Spacing between the objects
- Enter a Move value for Value mode
Select an object or a group
Choose Axis:
1. X-Axis - LMB ¹ click
2. Y-Axis - Alt + click
3. Z-Axis - Ctrl click
4. Add Shift for negative direction

Settings

Screenshot

Snap #

Snap objects or groups to selected components.

Screenshot

Before you start

Check the source objects Y-axis orientation and set a desired pivot location (the point where it gets placed on the target mesh) before adding it to the list.

How to use: Snap

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Select objects or groups
Click the Add button to add them to the list
List Operations:
- Delete: Select an item from the list and press Del to remove it
- Clear List: Click on the Clear button to empty the whole list
Select list items to make them available for placement
Options:
- Random: Check to snap the objects in a random order
- Instance: Check to snap instanced objects
Select components
LMB ¹ click to snap

Constraints

This function creates constraints and doesn't delete them right away to maintain interactive control. To automatically remove the constraints, please read the "How to use: Delete pointOnPolyConstraints" section below.

Snap Groups

When you snap groups this function creates additional constraints and locators (which will be parented under a group called "BUKI_SNAP_LOCATORS_grp"). Please don't modify the group or the locators within for the script to work properly. To automatically remove the constraints and the locators, please read the "How to use: Delete Group Constraints and Locators" section below.

How to use: Delete pointOnPolyConstraints

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Choose a search scope in the settings under "Delete Constraints"
If you chose Selection, select objects with constraints
Alt click to start the process

How to use: Delete Group Constraints and Locators

Ctrl click to start the process

This cleanup ignores your selected search scope in the settings and affects the whole scene

Settings

Screenshot

Radial #

Duplicate objects or groups in a radial fashion.

Screenshot

Before you start: Anchor point

Set your anchor point by adjusting the object or group pivot.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Set anchor point: Adjust your object or group pivot
Select object or group
- X-Axis : LMB ¹ click
- Y-Axis : Alt + click
- Z-Axis : Ctrl click
Choose an Axis

Toggle rotation direction

Add Shift to toggle between positive and negative rotation direction within the chosen axis
Tweak options:
- Copies: Amount of duplicates
- Rotation: Specifies how much the duplicates will be rotated by (negative value will rotate in opposite direction)
- Instance: Converts duplicates to Instances
- Distribute Evenly: Distributes the duplicates evenly within a circle
Wrap up the process:
- Done Button:
  - LMB ¹ click - Finish process and maintain current settings
  - Alt click - Finish process and reset all settings
- Cancel Button:
  - LMB ¹ click - Cancel process but maintain current settings
  - Alt click - Cancel process and reset all settings
The Instance Checkbox is always going to reset to it's default state.

Wrap up!

Don't forget to click Done or Cancel when you finished to tweak the settings.

Live Object Axis and Bake

If you rotate an object it's Live Object Axis changes, while the rotation axis looks correct - This leads to unexpected radial duplications. Display the Live Object Axis, adjust the pivot to correct the axis and bake the new orientation.

Screenshot

Display Live Object Axis

Select the object
Hold Ctrl + Alt + RMB ² to open the Marking Menu
Go to Axis >
Choose Live Object Axis

How to bake a pivot

Go to the Modify tab in Maya's main menu
Under the Pivot separator line click on Bake Pivot

Settings

Screenshot

Import / Export#

Interface - Import / Export#

Screenshot

Import#

Import .obj files

Import .obj files as a combined mesh, separated meshes or as Blendshapes.

Load the objExport plugin

Go to Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager
Search for objExport.mll
Check Loaded and Auto load

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
- Choose an import mode
When the Import mode is set to As blendshapes, select a base mesh
LMB ¹ click
Navigate to the file location and select files to import

Settings

Screenshot

Import .fbx files

Load the fbxmaya plugin

Go to Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager
Search for fbxmaya.mll
Check Loaded and Auto load

How to use

LMB ¹ click
Navigate to the file location and select files to import

Import .abc files

Load the AbcImport plugin

Go to Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager
Search for AbcImport.mll
Check Loaded and Auto load

How to use

LMB ¹ click
Navigate to the file location and select files to import

Import .ma or .mb files

How to use

Import:
- .ma files : LMB ¹ click
- .mb files : Alt click
Navigate to the file location and select files to import

Export#

Export .obj files

Load the objExport plugin

Go to Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager
Search for objExport.mll
Check Loaded and Auto load

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
- Choose an export mode
- Set the preferred options to On or Off
Select objects to export
- When the Export mode is set to As blendshapes, select objects that have blendshapes
LMB ¹ click
Navigate to the save location
- When the Export mode is set to Combined, enter a file name

Settings

Screenshot

Export .fbx files

Load the fbxmaya plugin

Go to Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager
Search for fbxmaya.mll
Check Loaded and Auto load

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
- Choose an export mode
Select objects to export
LMB ¹ click
Navigate to the save location
- When the Export mode is set to Single file, enter a file name

Settings

Screenshot

Export .abc files

Load the AbcExport plugin

Go to Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager
Search for AbcExport.mll
Check Loaded and Auto load

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
- Choose an export mode
- When objects are animated, set Start and End values for the time slider.
  When not, leave the default values.
Select objects to export
LMB ¹ click
Navigate to the save location
- When the Export mode is set to Single file, enter a file name

Settings

Screenshot

Export .ma or .mb files

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
- Choose an export mode
Select objects to export
Export:
- .ma files : LMB ¹ click
- .mb files : Alt click
Navigate to the save location
- When the Export mode is set to Single file, enter a file name

Settings

Screenshot

Utilities#

Obj fix

Clean up a mesh by exporting and immediately re-importing the mesh as an obj.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
- LMB ¹ click on the "..." button and specify a save path
Set Save path

Set as default path

Alt click on the "..." button if you want to set the current path as the default path upon startup
Reassign Shader: Check the box if you want the the script to reassign the current Shader when the mesh gets re-imported
Select objects
LMB ¹ click to start the process

Settings

Screenshot

Curve Tools#

Interface - Curve Tools#

Screenshot

Rebuild #

Rebuild curves based on their length.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Enter a division value
Select curves
LMB ¹ click to start the process

Analysis

Works in conjunction with the Analysis tool to determine the division value
Select all your curves and get the length of the shortest curve (See Analysis section)

Open Maya's Rebuild Tool

Alt click Screenshot

Settings

Screenshot

Pivot To Origin #

Sets the pivot to the curve origin.

Screenshot

How to use

Select curves
LMB ¹ click to start the process

Snap To Surface #

Snaps the curve origin to the closest point on a specified surface.

Screenshot

How to use

First select curves
Then Shift select the surface
LMB ¹ click to start the process

Change Direction #

Reverse or equalize curve directions.

How to use: Reverse

Select curves
LMB ¹ click to start the process

How to use: Equalize Directions

First select the curve with the correct direction
Then Shift select all other curves
Alt click to start the process

Point Range #

Select a specific point range on one or multiple curves at once.

Screenshot

Range Limit

When the range is higher than the curves point amount, the curve will be ignored.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Enter a Range
Select curves
LMB ¹ click to start the process

Settings

Screenshot

Convert Edges #

Convert selected edges to curves.

Screenshot

How to use

Select edges
Convert:
- Curve Degree 3: LMB ¹ click
- Curve Degree 1: Alt click

Create Center Curve #

Generate an objects center curve from edge loops (cables, cylinders, etc.)

Screenshot

How to use

Select an object (cables, cylinders, etc.)
Select an edge loop that runs across the mesh
LMB ¹ click

Attention

For best results, use objects without caps. If necessary, create a duplicate and adjust the temporary mesh for curve generation.

Analysis #

Inspect curve attributes.

How to use

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Select a single curve and LMB ¹ click to get the
- Length of the curve
- CV count
- Span count
- Degree count
Select multiple curves and LMB ¹ click to get the
- Shortest curve
- Longest curve

Additional Operations

Alt click : Select Shortest Curve
Ctrl click : Select Longest Curve
Shift click : Reset Textfields

Settings

Screenshot

Extruder #

Convert curves to geometry.

How to use: Sweep Presets

Select curves

Convert to geometry: - Cable: LMB ¹ click Screenshot

![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/curve_tools_extruder_cable.gif)

- **Rope**: &nbsp; <kbd>Alt</kbd> &nbsp; click ![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/tool_icons/icon_curve_extruder.png)

![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/curve_tools_extruder_rope.gif)

- **Pipe**: &nbsp; <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> &nbsp; click ![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/tool_icons/icon_curve_extruder.png)

![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/curve_tools_extruder_pipe.gif)

- **Box**: &nbsp; <kbd>Shift</kbd> &nbsp; click ![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/tool_icons/icon_curve_extruder.png)

![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/curve_tools_extruder_box.gif)

Click on the mesh and use the Sweep Mesh Creator within Maya's Attribute Editor to tweak the result:
1
![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/curve_tools_extruder_sweep_mesh_creator.png)

How to use: Legacy Cable

Before you start

Use the Rebuild Screenshot function to recreate the curve with a good amount of and evenly distributed vertexes.

RMB ² click to open the settings widget
Tweak available options: - Sections - Radius - Taper
Select curves

Convert to geometry: Ctrl + Alt click Screenshot

![Screenshot](images/BuildKit/curve_tools_extruder_2020_below.gif)

Settings

Screenshot

Distribute Along Curve #

Interactive object distribution along curves

Screenshot

How to use

RMB ² click to open Settings
Select a curve and one object to duplicate along it
LMB ¹ click
Adjust Settings as needed
Finish the operation:
- Done - complete the operation
  - LMB ¹ click: finish and keep settings
  - Alt + click: finish and reset settings
- Cancel - abort the operation
  - LMB ¹ click: cancel and keep settings
  - Alt + click: cancel and reset settings

How to use: Scale

Enable Scale in Settings
Set Min Value (left field) and Max Value (right field)
Choose a Mode:
- All: scales all objects equally using Min Value only
- Rnd: randomly scales objects between Min and Max values
- Taper: gradually scales objects from Min to Max along the curve
  - Alt + click Taper to swap Min/Max values

How to use: Rotation

Enable Rotate in Settings
Set Min Value (left field) and Max Value (right field)
Choose Axis
Choose a Mode:
- All: rotates all objects equally using Min Value only
- Rnd: randomly rotates objects between Min and Max values
- Twist: gradually rotates objects from Min to Max along the curve
  - Alt + click Twist to swap Min/Max values

Attention

Ensure the geometry is at the origin with its transforms frozen.

Build Kit 2.2#

Installation#

Compatibility#

How to install#

Initial Setup Requirements#

Environment Variables#

Interface Basics#

Tool Menu#

Tool Settings#

Tooltips#

Expand / Collapse tabs#

Keyboard Shortcuts#

About Page#

Interface - About Page#

Create Hotkey Shortcuts#

Scale UI#

Edit Mesh#

Interface - Edit Mesh#

Combine & Separate #

Extract & Duplicate Face #

Connect #

Append Plus #

Quad Fill #

Mirror #

Pivot Position #

Component Operations #

45 Mesh Angle #

Instances #

Randomize Transforms #

Tiny Toolbox #

Select#

Interface - Select#

Topology #

Angle #

Nth Edge #

Fill Shell #

Percentage #

Component Count #

Name #

Type / Status #

Selection Sets #

Pattern #

Crease #

Layout#

Interface - Layout#

Place #

Paint #

Distribute #

Duplicator #

Snap #

Radial #

Import / Export#

Interface - Import / Export#

Import#

Export#

Utilities#

Curve Tools#

Interface - Curve Tools#

Rebuild #

Pivot To Origin #

Snap To Surface #

Change Direction #

Point Range #

Convert Edges #

Create Center Curve #

Analysis #

Extruder #

Distribute Along Curve #

Footnotes#