//Softimage to Maya Camera export using Crosswalk 4.1 – Including animated focal length;

Tutorial by: Vit Liskutin

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In a production it is often helpful to have the ability to use hybrid pipelines. This way we can leverage the power of multiple 3d Applications. Being able to match the camera assures the ability to seamlessly composite renders from different packages. Here is a way how to export the camera between Autodesk Softimage 2010 and Autodesk Maya 2010 using Crosswalk 4.1.

This is a somewhat simple camera setup, but the technique should work with any type of camera rig as long as you plot correctly. The camera is position constrained to a curve or a path as well as direction constrained to a null, and then animated with key frames.

To export the camera correctly first we have to plot the animation transforms. The focal values get lost when exporting with crosswalk but there is another way to bring them across. In order to get the focal animation we have to copy it to a null in Softimage then export it out as part of our scene with the camera. And then in Maya copy the animation from the null back to the cameras focal length.

Make sure you have Croswalk 4.1 installed both for Maya and Softimage. (You can download crosswalk for free from the Autodesk Website) Export the scene with the camera using Croswalk to Maya export template setting.

Here Is what the explorer/outliner looks like in Softimage and Maya, the camera node with the “bakedCam” comes across with all the animation.

Here is a wireframe capture from Softimage composited on top of the Playblast from Maya, which is a perfect match.

Note: Most geometry comes across well with basic shader settings, also the lights came across, hierarchy and transform nodes look good as well.

Notice how the two axis on the bottom left match up. The lower one is from Maya The upper one is from Softimage. Thanks Crosswalk! You're the Bombay!

You can download the Maya and Softimage files here: Tutorial Files

You can make a capture with either software and load it in the background of the camera in another one to make sure it lines up.

Hope you liked my Tutorial Please feel free to Email any questions or comments to vitliskutin@hotmail.com

You can also view my work at http://www.vl3d.us/

Note: This tutorial is strictly for educational purposes based on my own learning and should be treated as such.