Datasheet

File reFerenCes
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This is the basic file referencing workflow; however, a file referencing structure can be made
much more complex to accommodate the needs of multiple teams. In addition, a referenced file
can use other references so that a file referencing tree can be constructed by layering several
levels of file references. This kind of structure is best planned out and agreed upon in the begin-
ning in order to minimize confusion and keep a consistent workflow.
Using Reference Proxies
You can use proxy objects for your file references to temporarily substitute higher-resolution
objects with lower-resolution objects. This can make animating the scene a little easier because
the lower-resolution objects will improve performance and update faster in Maya as you play the
animation on the timeline.
Multiple versions of the model can be created and used as proxies to facilitate different needs
in the scene. A proxy should be the same size and roughly the same shape as the referenced file.
1. Open the street_v03.ma scene from the chapter1\scenes directory on the DVD. This
scene has the same street as before with the same animated locator.
2. First bring in the file reference by choosing File  Create Reference  Options.
3. Under General Options in the Reference Options dialog box, turn on Group and Locator
(see Figure 1.47). This will create a locator in the scene and a parent reference to the loca-
tor. Set File Type to Maya Ascii.
Figure 1.46
The changes made
to the body shape
and color in the
vehicleRefer-
ence_v01.ma file
are reflected in the
referenced model
in the street scene.
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