SyncTools for Maya

Overview

SyncTools Pro is a cross-software tool designed to simplify the process of copying and pasting detailed scene data between different applications such as Blender and Maya. With just one click, you can export objects—including meshes, lights, cameras, materials, animations, and more—from one scene and import them into another, saving you considerable time and effort in your production workflow.

Multi-DCC Platform Support

The SyncTools series now extends support to major digital content creation software, including:

SyncTools for Maya (Released)
SyncTools for 3ds Max (Released)
SyncTools for Houdini (Released)
SyncTools for Cinema 4D (Released)
SyncTools for Rhino (Released)
SyncTools for Marvelous Designer (Released)
SyncTools for Substance Painter (In Development)
SyncTools for Unreal Engine (In Development)
SyncTools for Unity (In Development)
SyncTools for Zbrush (In Development)

All plugins utilize a unified data exchange protocol, enabling lossless asset conversion across platforms and true multi-software collaborative workflows.

Blender Side

1. Plugin Installation

Step 1: Open Blender and navigate to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.

Step 2: Click the Install button and select the SyncTools Pro ZIP file.

Step 3: Once installed, enable the add-on by checking the box next to SyncTools Pro. The plugin interface will appear in the 3D View Sidebar under the SyncTools tab.

2. Plugin Settings

Within the preferences menu, you can configure several options using an intuitive interface:

Shortcut Mode:

Choose between the standard keyboard shortcuts or mouse-drag methods based on your personal workflow.

Import/Export Options:

Select which elements to include when transferring data. Options include lights, cameras, materials, meshes, armatures, and baked animations.

Global Scale Settings:

Adjust the overall scaling applied to the scene during the import and export processes.

Renderer Sync Feature:

Enable the "Sync Renderer" option (for example, for Octane Material sync) to ensure that material settings remain consistent across environments.Note: All changes in settings take effect automatically in the background; you do not need to perform any extra steps after adjusting them.

3. Workflow

Copy Operation

1. Select: In the 3D View, select the objects you want to copy.

Copy: Click the Copy button in the SyncTools panel or use the assigned shortcut key.

3. Export: The plugin will export your selection as an FBX file to a designated cache folder (located under your Documents folder) and generate an accompanying hierarchy file.

Paste Operation

Switch Scene: Move to the target scene or project.

Paste: Click the Paste button or use the corresponding shortcut key.

Import: The plugin automatically imports the most recent FBX file from the cache and filters out any data based on your import settings. The cache file is then cleared to maintain up-to-date results.

Shortcut Usage

In addition to the panel buttons, you can use customizable shortcut keys (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+C for copying and Ctrl+Shift+V for pasting) to streamline your workflow. Adjust these keys in the plugin’s settings if needed.---

Maya Side

1. Plugin Installation & Initialization

Installation:

Load the plugin script in Maya by adding it to your plugin directory or executing it through Maya’s script editor.

Initialization:

Once loaded, the plugin automatically creates a Sync Tools menu in Maya’s main window.

2. Operating the Plugin

Copy Operation

1. Select: Choose the objects you wish to copy in Maya.

Copy Command: From the Sync Tools menu, select Copy.

Export: The plugin exports the selected objects as an FBX file, saving it along with a hierarchy file to the cache folder in your Documents directory.

Paste Operation

1. Target Scene: Open or switch to the scene where you want the data imported.

Paste Command: From the Sync Tools menu, select Paste.

3. Import: The plugin automatically imports the latest FBX file from the cache and integrates it into the scene. After successful import, the cache file is deleted to prevent duplicate data.---

Version Compatibility

Blender Support:

Official: 4.2 LTS and newer
Experimental: 4.0–4.1 (limited advanced features)

Maya Support:

Official: 2023.3 / 2024.x
Legacy: 2020–2022 (manual plugin loading required)

Data Compatibility

Full Support:

✔ Basic geometry (Mesh/NURBS)
✔ Transform hierarchies
✔ Core material attributes (PBR workflow)
✔ Point/Spot/Directional lights
✔ Basic animation keyframes
✔ Camera parameters (FOV/Focal Length)

Partial Support:

⚠ Complex shader nodes (auto-converted to approximations)
⚠ Skin weights (requires matching vertex order)
⚠ Driven animations (requires equivalent expressions)
⚠ UV maps (supports up to 4 channels)

Unsupported:

✖ Particle systems
✖ Fluid simulation data
✖ Procedural textures (requires pre-baking)
✖ Custom shader networks
✖ Dynamic constraints (rigid bodies/cloth)

Important Notes

1️⃣ Unit System: Recommend using metric (Meters)
2️⃣ Axis Conversion: Automatic Y-Up ↔ Z-Up handling
3️⃣ Material Mapping: Blender Principled BSDF ↔ Maya Standard Surface
4️⃣ Naming: Special characters (@#%) may cause import issues
5️⃣ Plugin Dependency: Requires matching SyncTools versions

(Data conversion via FBX middleware – check release notes for latest compatibility updates.)

Conclusion

SyncTools Pro is engineered to provide a seamless and efficient method for transferring scene data between Blender and Maya. By leveraging simple copy and paste controls, you can effortlessly exchange detailed scene information, thereby streamlining your creative process. Enjoy a more efficient workflow with SyncTools Pro!---Please let us know if you need any further assistance.

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