Arnold Plugin won't load

[prur]

After Maya 2018 installed I can't load Arnold plug-in.

I passed through similar topics but still can't figure out how to fix it.

-.I've tried to un/re-install Arnold in different versions - no luck

-.deleted preferences - no luck

Is it possible any conflicts  between Maya and my previously installed python?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you.

file -f -new;
// untitled // 
commandPort -securityWarning -name commandportDefault;
onSetCurrentLayout "Maya Classic";
// Warning: file: C:\Users\YJ-LIH\Documents\maya\2018\prefs\filePathEditorRegistryPrefs.mel line 4: filePathEditor: Attribute 'aiImage.filename' is invalid or is not designated 'usedAsFilename'. // 
// Warning: file: C:\Users\YJ-LIH\Documents\maya\2018\prefs\filePathEditorRegistryPrefs.mel line 5: filePathEditor: Attribute 'aiPhotometricLight.aiFilename' is invalid or is not designated 'usedAsFilename'. // 
// Warning: file: C:\Users\YJ-LIH\Documents\maya\2018\prefs\filePathEditorRegistryPrefs.mel line 6: filePathEditor: Attribute 'aiStandIn.dso' is invalid or is not designated 'usedAsFilename'. // 
// Warning: file: C:\Users\YJ-LIH\Documents\maya\2018\prefs\filePathEditorRegistryPrefs.mel line 7: filePathEditor: Attribute 'aiVolume.filename' is invalid or is not designated 'usedAsFilename'. // 
// AbcExport v1.0 using Alembic 1.5.8 (built Jul 13 2016 18:28:45) // 
# pymel.core : Updating pymel with pre-loaded plugins: invertShape, mayaHIK, GamePipeline, curveWarp, CloudImportExport, tiffFloatReader, MASH, poseInterpolator, bifrostvisplugin, ATFPlugin, hairPhysicalShader, ikSpringSolver, ik2Bsolver, xgenToolkit, AbcExport, retargeterNodes, gameFbxExporter, VectorRender, OpenEXRLoader, lookdevKit, Unfold3D, Type, mayaCharacterization, modelingToolkit, deformerEvaluator, renderSetup, GPUBuiltInDeformer, fbxmaya # 
// AbcImport v1.0 using Alembic 1.5.8 (built Jul 13 2016 18:28:45) // 
updateRendererUI;
// Warning: file: C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2018/scripts/others/supportRenderers.mel line 64: The renderer "arnold" used by this scene, is not currently available. The "mayaSoftware" renderer will be used instead. // 
evalDeferred "shaderBallRendererMenuUpdate";
// Warning: line 1: filePathEditor: Attribute 'aiStandIn.dso' and label 'Standin' have been saved already. // 
// Warning: line 1: filePathEditor: Attribute 'aiVolume.filename' and label 'VDB' have been saved already. // 
// Warning: line 1: filePathEditor: Attribute 'aiImage.filename' and label 'Image' have been saved already. // 
# Error: file: C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2018/scripts/others/pluginWin.mel line 290: ImportError: file C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2018\bin\python27.zip\posixpath.py line 19: cannot import name _unicode # 
# Error: file: C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2018/scripts/others/pluginWin.mel line 290: ImportError: file C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2018\bin\python27.zip\posixpath.py line 19: cannot import name _unicode # 
# Error: file: C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2018/scripts/others/pluginWin.mel line 290: ImportError: file C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2018\bin\python27.zip\posixpath.py line 19: cannot import name _unicode # 
# Error: file: C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2018/scripts/others/pluginWin.mel line 290: ImportError: file C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2018\bin\python27.zip\posixpath.py line 19: cannot import name _unicode # 
import arnold
// Successfully imported python module 'arnold' // 
import mtoa
// Successfully imported python module 'mtoa' // 
import mtoa.cmds.registerArnoldRenderer;mtoa.cmds.registerArnoldRenderer.registerArnoldRenderer()
# Error: file: C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2018/scripts/others/pluginWin.mel line 290: ImportError: file C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2018\bin\python27.zip\posixpath.py line 19: cannot import name _unicode # 
// Error: Failed to register renderer 'arnold' // 
evalDeferred "shaderBallRendererMenuUpdate";
// Error: file: C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2018/scripts/others/pluginWin.mel line 290: initializePlugin function failed (mtoa) // 

[sean.heasley]

Hi @prur and welcome to the community!

When you say previously installed python do you mean from Maya or your own custom python?

Have you tried a clean uninstall/reinstall of Maya? Also do you have any other versions of Maya installed? Does Arnold work with those versions?

[prur]

Hello @sean.heasley,

I meant my own python. I had Python 2.7.5 installed on PC.

Installing Maya on this PC is first time, so there is no traces of previous version(maya). And I tried Un/re-install maya as well as Arnold but no luck. 

[sean.heasley · Accepted solution]

Hi @prur

Ah ok it could be because of that.

Can you update your python and/or remove it to see if that changes anything? You may need to uninstall/reinstall Arnold again after changing the python.

[prur]

Thank you very much @sean.heasley,

First I'd updated my python 2.7.5 to 2.7.15 then my Maya 2018 went really wrong. Script editor broke and most of plug-in wasn't able to load. I tried to reinstall Maya/Arnold but it didn't work at all.

Finally I removed my python 2.7.15 and was going to uninstall Maya as well. But, I noticed Maya works as charm. Arnold also loads well without any problem. I have no idea what was wrong with the updated version python. (As python itself it worked well after I updated) Anyway I am very happy to sort it out after few days of hassles with this issue.

Only my concern is how I can use/install my python again. Is there any specific python version conflicting issue with Maya? I need it for my programming job so I wonder if there is any way I can use Maya's python(it seems Maya embeds its own python? so I can use python only as well?) or recommended way to set up python separately?

Thanks again, and any advice would be very appreciated concerning Python. 

[sean.heasley]

Hi @prur

Glad to hear its up and running!

One theory I have is that it may have been clashing and now that it's gone it loaded normally so you could possibly reinstall Python and not see any issues.

Another option would be to install the most recent version of Python, 3.7 I think, and see if that causes any issues.

Please let me know if this does cause issues because then I'd like to inform one of our Arnold experts and see if they have any further insight.

[sean.heasley]

Hi @prur

Just wanted to see how things are going. Have you tried updating your python and/or installing it again. Did anything change?

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Kudos are greatly appreciated. Everyone likes a thumbs up!

[prur]

Hi @sean.heasley, 

Sorry for the late answer,

I've been trying to reinstall python 2.7.x versions. Then maya corrupts again. 

After uninstalling it loads Arnold well again (even without reboot)

I haven't tried to install python 3.x as I usually work with 2.x versions. Also didn't want messing around with all different versions. 

I assume python is broader platform to run software and for others, maya should have some proper installation instruction in case of conflicts.  Could you report it to develop team?

[sean.heasley]

Hi @prur

Sure thing and thanks for the update!

I'll let the developers know and so they can work on this for future updates/releases of Maya.

[Stephen.Blair]

I've had Python 2.7 installed for a long time, and it never caused any problems with Maya (or Houdini or Softimage).