Datasheet

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CHAPTER 1 Working in Autodesk MAyA
14. From the menu bar in the Reference Editor, choose Proxy  Reload Proxy As  vehi-
cleReference_v01PM1 (loResCarv01.ma). After a moment, the original vehicle is replaced
with the lower-resolution version.
15. Try using this menu to switch to the mediumRes version of the vehicle. The vehicle
should be replaced with a slightly higher-resolution version. If you play the animation,
the vehicle still moves along the animation curve (Figure 1.49).
16. To bring back the reference, select the original from the list in the Proxy  Reload Proxy
As menu.
The Reference Editor can be used to change proxies; remove proxies; and load, duplicate,
unload, and reload references. When a reference is unloaded, it is removed from the scene.
The Bottom Line
Understand transform and shape nodes. DAG nodes have both a transform node and a
shape node. The transform node tells where an object is located; the shape node describes
how it is made. Nodes can be parented to each other to form a hierarchy.
Master It Arrange the nodes in the miniGun_v03.ma file in a hierarchical structure so
the barrels of the guns can rotate on their z-axis, the guns can be aimed independently,
and the guns rotate with the turret.
Create a project. Creating a project directory structure keeps Maya scene files and con-
nected external files organized to ensure the animation project is efficient.
Master It Create a new project named Test, but make sure the project has only the
scene, source images, and data subfolders.
Use assets. An asset is a way to organize the attributes of any number of specified nodes
so that their attributes are easily accessible in the Channel Box. This means that members
of each team in a pipeline only have to see and edit the attributes they need to get their job
done, thus streamlining production.
Figure 1.49
The Reference
Editor is used to
switch between
different versions
of the proxy and
the original refer-
enced model.
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