Exporting a skinned model (character, weapon) from Maya to Torque using maya2dts and the DTS Utility

#1 I will hopefully write up this article on the TDN too.

Also, is it possible to upload the PDF file onto the GG server?

#2 Cool stuff :) Wood you like to a gun or car expot next? can give you heads up on that as well ..

#3 Thanks - I've alread successfully exported a rifle into Torque (coded it too). A vehicle would be my next step (I need my Helmut to ride a Ballista!), so I'll let you know if I run into any problems :D

#4 Thanx Amr for the tutorial! This was extremely kind of you to write this. Look forward to showing you my game idea. RD

#5 I don't usually post much here, but really thank you, maya always gave me such trouble when exporting to torque, hopefully this will clear up some of my problems, and answer a few questions I've had in my head for a while.

#6 Thanx Amr, I to have been experimenting with Maya to Torque and have been keeping an eye out for something like this guide.
Your hard work and research is greatly appreciated!

#7 Thanks for the comments :)

The guide can now also be found on the TDN at tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/DTS/Maya/Creating_a_Simple_Character. The PDF can also be downloaded from there too.

#8 Thanks for posting this, i'm in the process of writing up a guide for my crew, since other guides were somewhat lacking. There were some things i've learned from your process that made alot more sense. :)

Keep up the good work!!!

#9 Thanks for the time you invested as it was a great benifit and greatly apprieciated

#10 Awesome howto. Thank you...

#11 Sweet! tHX

#12 Just updated the guide with a major correction in the LOD section and added information on collision and LOS meshes. Check the Change history section to find where the updates are.

--Amr

#13 This is a great resource and has gotten me farther than anything else I've looked at. I understand everything up until exportation. I want to export my model and animations as separate files. I have no problem exporting the model (meshes in the torque hierarchy), and it looks like the animations export fine (no errors or empty files), but I can't get them to show up in the show tool. Could you please clarify what is supposed to be in the config file as well as the torque hierarchy when trying to export the model and animations separately.

-Denise

#14 Hi Denise,

Glad you liked my guide!

If you want to export your model as seperate model and animation files, you need to have a maya file for each of your animations and one for your model. In the model file, don't put any sequence nodes, and export the shape. As for the animations, each file should have just one sequence node set up correctly and then export the sequence.

Config files: the config file should list all the utility nodes (e.g. cam eye mount etc) and all the joints you wish to export. Make sure you're saving it using UNIX line endings, or else the exporter won't be able to read them properly. Maye sure the config file the same name as your model file (e.g.: my_model.mb --> my_model.cfg). You should only need one config file for the main model - as far as I know you won't need one for each animation.

Hierarchy: At the root of the scene you should place all your geometry. You should also have a node called base01. As a child of that, a node called start01 and any detail markers, and as a child of start01, you should place your skeleton. Basically, anything under start01 gets exported. Since your geometry is linked to your joints, then by exporting the joints, you export the linked geometry as well.

If you're still having trouble, I'd be happy for you to email me your model files and have a look at them.

--Amr

#15 Hi all

well im newby and i have some questions ok
first one i use autodeskmaya and i download the DTS mel script and it works fine the problem come when im try esport to DTS file.

I have installed the OpenCollada and the ColladaMaya plugins fot maya 2009 and when im try export using that i dont have the .DTS option i just have the OpenCollada Exporter option and only the *.dae and *.xml option but i cant see the .DTS extension can any help me???

well i hope some good aportation im here if i can help to some one just letme know and im here to help ok tnx and have a nice day.

#16 tanks man.

#17 I'am looking for maya2dts Exporter 2010_32bit (or 64 bit)
The ONLY version I have found here CRASHED http://torque.abigholeintheweb.com/public_system/artists/exporter_related/maya/ maya2dtsExporter2010_32bit.rar (I have tested it with simple box)