Import and export >
Send files to Maya

You can export any of your work out of Mudbox and quickly import it into Autodesk Maya with just a few mouse/stylus clicks using the File > Send to Maya feature.

NoteMaya has a similar feature for exporting files to Mudbox (File > Export Selected to Mudbox). For more information, refer to the Maya 2011 user documentation. The Export Selected to Mudbox feature is not compatible with versions of Mudbox earlier than Mudbox 2011. FBX files exported from Maya 2011 are not compatible with Mudbox versions earlier than Mudbox 2011 unless an earlier FBX version is specified in the FBX export options.

Mudbox launches Maya (provided its installed on your computer) and imports it into its working 3D view. If Maya is already running, it prompts you whether you want to save your work before importing the Mudbox file.

NoteThe Send to Maya feature exports from Mudbox using the Autodesk® FBX® file format. For more information, see Export using FBX.

1. Select File > Send To Maya... to export your work to Maya.

   The Send To window appears.

2. Set the Send option as follows:
   - All Meshes - When you want all items in the scene exported to the receiving application.
   - Selected Meshes Only - When you want specific items to be exported. You must select those items prior to using this feature.
3. Set the paint layers output options as required:
   - Don’t send paint layers - No paint layers are exported. The model will appear in the receiving application with the default shading material.
   - Flatten the paint layers in each channel - One paint layer for each channel type (Diffuse, Bump, Gloss, and so on) is exported should they exist. When a paint channel contains multiple paint layers, the layers are collapsed to one layer before export.
   - Send paint layers separately - All paint layers that exist for a model get exported combined into a layered shading material. The appearance of paint layers in the receiving application may differ from how they originally appeared in Mudbox due to how layer blend modes are handled by each application. Normal and displacement maps cannot be combined into a layered material, so they are collapsed into one layer for their associated channel prior to export. For more information on where the paint layers are saved, see Export using FBX.
4. Set the sculpt layers output options as required:
   - Flatten sculpt layers before sending - Keep in mind that only the current subdivision level is exported when exporting a mesh from Mudbox. You may wish to use the Page Up or Page Down keys to display another subdivision level prior to sending to the other application. Any sculpt layers not locked to the current subdivision level are baked into the resulting mesh when it gets exported. The current subdivision level becomes the base level for the exported mesh.
   - Export sculpt layers on current mesh level as blendshapes - If you want to preserve the separate sculpt layers, turn this option on. Only sculpt layers associated with the current subdivision level are exported as blend shapes in the FBX file.
5. Click Send.

   Mudbox launches Maya and imports the Mudbox file. If the application is already running, it prompts to save any existing work prior to import.If the application does not launch, see Troubleshoot file import and export.

Related topics

File menu

Export using FBX

Troubleshoot file import and export

FBX preferences