GLM Pipeline
A pipeline solution for the thesis short film Guardian's Lament.
Tools: Python, Maya, Blender
Overview
It includes a central pipeline application, customizable DCC launchers, import/export tools, shot render tracking, and more! This project is currently ongoing. The pipeline serves ~25 artists.
GLM Pipeline Hub
A python and qt-based application that serves as the center of the pipeline. At the moment, it only has a DCC Launcher. A shot/render manager is WIP.
DCC Launcher
It was important that tools were easy to distribute and update without being a burden to the artists. Using the custom DCC launcher allows me to customize the environment.
For Maya, tools are automatically added to the menu bar.
Maya - Animation Exporter Tool
Automates exporting animations from Maya to Blender using geo caches and USD into one click, saving 5 minutes.
Animators work in Maya, while shots are rendered out in Blender, so a smooth export/import process was critical to our pipeline.
Pain Points:
- Exporting animations was a LONG 18 step process
- Complex naming conventions and scattered directories for assets
- Animators exported often due to constant iteration
Solution:
Automate the process into one click. This process saves storage, as all cache, usd, and intermediary maya files are now saved and deleted in the user's temp directory.
Manual Process Summary:
1. Export animation as geo cache
2. Create empty Maya Scene, import model, import geo cache
3. Export geo cache as USD
4. Import USD into Blender