File Referencing Alternative Pipeline in Maya LT (Time Editor?)

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

I'm still a noob to Maya LT, and have chanced upon File Reference Pipeline only after I've come across issues in my rig and workflow. I'm creating Rig + Animations for a Game, and currently I have my Rig in one file, and was stupidly creating new files per animations. To my disappointment, I was operating in a pipeline that required File Referencing! 

How should I be approaching this in Maya LT? Can Time Editor help provide a clean file structure that is manageable and non destructive to the Rig? I would like to have the option to modify the Rig (bind new mesh, etc), and have the changes be updated to existing animations.

Is there a way for us to have individual files per animations? So we can have a more manageable file structure rather than everything in one master?

Would appreciated being pointed in the right direction. Thanks!

[jordan.giboney]

Hi @Anonymous 

Thanks for posting 🙂 You are correct, File Referencing is not an option in Maya LT. I did a quick search, and found this discussion thread which may help you out:

• Maya LT Rig/Anims File Referencing Pipeline Alternative?

Also, we have a couple of feedback channels regarding File Referencing that you can vote for. This thread outlines where to do that:

• Maya LT | File Referencing?

Thanks again for being a part of our community!

[Anonymous]

@jordan.giboney 

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I was already aware of both. I was hoping for a workaround that perhaps I'm unaware of to that lack of File Referencing. So in this instance where does this leave me? How should I approach maintaining a clean and manageable pipeline with Maya LT? Fairly disappointed that such a crucial feature was intentionally left out..

Or I have no choice but to look for other solutions? How's Maya Indie coming along, if that's a permanent business model moving forward, I'm definitely all onboard that train, ready and eager to ditch LT!

Cheers

[jordan.giboney · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous 

Thanks for the reply. I hear ya, not having the file reference tool in Maya LT would definitely hinder the workflow you mentioned - I was an animator previously and used references with nearly every project. I would definitely recommend using display layers as much as possible and use the lock and reference modes to prevent unwanted edits.

In an unofficial capacity/recommendation, i think Maya Indie would offer everything you are looking for 🙂 For more information, check out AREA | Maya Indie.  We've had a lot of great feedback with Indie, and there is expectations to expand the program. Keep that link bookmarked for future updates!

Thanks again for being a part of our community!