Python in Maya: Simple node sorting

When applying a worldspace or relative transform to nodes in Maya, you'll often have to account for;

1. Control behaviour type (IK, Pole Vectors etc)
2. Control hierarchy

This is where you will probably need to look at sorting your list of nodes prior to applying the data.
Also, space-switch sorting will want to be run as an additional pass over control type and hierarchy. This dependency check will vary based on the type of space-switch setup the rigs are using.

I've added a simple sort setup with individual and combined priorities.
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I'd love to hear your thoughts and how you approach this task.

Huh... I forgot this thing still existed.

So, we've finally released Total War: Warhammer.

What a project! Huge amount of work and fun!
Very proud to have worked on this game, and to work with so many talented developers.


Perhaps I'll give this blog another go.

a nice alternative to a quick Rigid Bodies sim: Dynamica Plugin

If you're after a quick little rigidbody sim, I'd suggest giving this a try. Simple, quick, fairly consistent and reliable (so far!).
Just make sure you keep organised and clean the scene up straight after baking, crashes do happen...

Details:
http://bulletphysics.org/mediawiki-1.5.8/index.php/Maya_Dynamica_Plugin

Downloads:
https://code.google.com/p/dynamica/downloads/list

Siggraph 2011 vid:
http://mbakr.squarespace.com/blog/siggraph-2011-destruction-dynamics-for-film-and-game-product.html

quick update

Been mega busy last 6 months, alot of changes, not much time to work on personal stuff, but had a great learning curve so plenty to look into once things slow down.

[Maya][Python] Querying soft selection

Handy little script modified from here to query and select the soft selection influenced components.


This one instead returns the influenced objects. Great for quickly querying the objects within a specific distance of another object.

ROME II announced

What I'm currently working on here at CA.

Update

Thought i'd update, considering it has been a month or two.
Been pretty busy lately with the moving, new job and 5-hour commute (temporary), so I haven't had much time to work on any of my own stuff, or do... well... anything.
Once settled i'll probably get back on it.