API Guide > Distributing Maya Plug-ins >

# Recommended workflow for creating a plug-in module

The following is an example of how a plug-in module can be used in a central network location. For more information about the plug-in modules, see Maya module paths, folders and versions.

- You can save the module and module file to the following locations:

  //networkPath/share/modules/modFile.mod

  //networkPath/share/modFolder

- These can serve as common directories for all platforms (Windows 64-bit, Linux, and so forth):

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/scripts

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/presets

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/icons

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/devkit

- Sample platform specific directories as follows:

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/*PLATFORM*/bin

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/*PLATFORM*/bin/image

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/*PLATFORM*/plug-ins

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/*PLATFORM*/shaders

  //networkPath/share/modFolder/*PLATFORM*/shaders/include

- Set the MAYA_MODULE_PATH environment variable in Maya, for example, as follows:

  MAYA_MODULE_PATH = //networkPath/share/modules

  NoteFor more information about setting environment variables in Maya, see Environment Variables in the Maya Help.
- Sample module file as follows:

      + PLATFORM:win64 myModule 1.10.1.x ../modFolder/win64
      MYMODULE_LOCATION:=
      MYMODULE_SHADERS_LOCATION:=shaders
      MYMODULE_INCLUDE_LOCATION:=shaders/include
      MOD_PLUG_IN_PATH+:=bin/image
      PATH+:=bin
      icons: ../icons
      presets: ../presets
      scripts: ../scripts

      + PLATFORM:win32 myModule 1.10.1.x ../modFolder/win32
      MYMODULE_LOCATION:=
      MYMODULE_SHADERS_LOCATION:=shaders
      MYMODULE_INCLUDE_LOCATION:=shaders/include
      MOD_PLUG_IN_PATH+:=bin/image
      PATH+:=bin
      icons: ../icons
      presets: ../presets
      scripts: ../scripts

      + PLATFORM:mac myModule 1.10.1.x ../modFolder/mac
      MYMODULE_LOCATION:=
      MYMODULE_SHADERS_LOCATION:=shaders
      MYMODULE_INCLUDE_LOCATION:=shaders/include
      MOD_PLUG_IN_PATH+:=bin/image
      PATH+:=bin
      icons: ../icons
      presets: ../presets
      scripts: ../scripts

      + PLATFORM:linux myModule 1.10.1.x ../modFolder/linux
      MYMODULE_LOCATION:=
      MYMODULE_SHADERS_LOCATION:=shaders
      MYMODULE_INCLUDE_LOCATION:=shaders/include
      MOD_PLUG_IN_PATH+:=bin/image
      PATH+:=bin
      icons: ../icons
      presets: ../presets
      scripts: ../scripts