LEGO Tool Scripts for Maya
The LEGO Tool Scripts for Maya is a collection of complementary tools designed to simplify the process of constructing 3D LEGO models for use in games and rendering.
The most notable components of the toolkit are the LEGO Material and LEGO Part Browsers, which allow dynamic access to The LEGO Group's library of materials and 3D part models. Using these utilities, LEGO part objects can be placed and manipulated in the Maya editor, and assigned a valid color from the LEGO palette.
Simultaneously, all part objects retain an active connection to the underlying LEGO Group database, with their color, design, model version, and level of detail controlled by attributes. This also dramatically reduces scene file sizes, with brick objects condensed down to a series of values.
The most notable components of the toolkit are the LEGO Material and LEGO Part Browsers, which allow dynamic access to The LEGO Group's library of materials and 3D part models. Using these utilities, LEGO part objects can be placed and manipulated in the Maya editor, and assigned a valid color from the LEGO palette.
Simultaneously, all part objects retain an active connection to the underlying LEGO Group database, with their color, design, model version, and level of detail controlled by attributes. This also dramatically reduces scene file sizes, with brick objects condensed down to a series of values.
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LEGO Part Browser
One of the main features of the LEGO Tool Scripts for Maya suite is the LEGO Parts Browser, which allows the user to place a LEGO part into a Maya scene with a single click.
The parts library is loaded dynamically at runtime from a back-end database containing information on LEGO part production information. When possible, accompanying icons are loaded from a local cache to provide the user with visual reference. For developers, the LEGO Part Browser includes a variety of debug tools, including the ability to refresh the database on command, and compare different database revisions. |
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LEGO Material BrowserTo complement the LEGO Parts Browser, the LEGO Material Browser was created to let the user easily recolor parts placed in the Maya scene
Like all other aspects of the LEGO Tool Scripts for Maya suite, the materials are loaded dynamically from a database of valid LEGO materials. The user is also given the ability to filter materials by attributes such as transparency and production status. |
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LEGO AttributesAt the core of the LEGO Tool Scripts for Maya are the custom LEGO attributes which control the parts in the Maya scene. Each part has a LEGO Design ID, LEGO Material ID, LEGO Brick LOD, and the option to use legacy geometry. Changes to these attributes are automatically reflected by the associated part in the scene.
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