Convert an animated maya model to JSON for use wit

Question

I have a maya model done in maya 2008. I need to be able to convert it a JSON format for use with three js. So far , I have tried

1) threeJsFileTranslator.py which is a maya plugin to export a model and is provided as a part of the threejs package.

2) MDD-OBJ-EXPORTER - with this , I was successfully able to import the animated model into blender but when I tried to export it to threejs , the js file didn't work.

I am breaking my head over this from the past 2 weeks. So please bear with me if this question is too silly but I do need help with successfully converting an animated maya model to json format.

Please don't downvote this question or close this as already answered / possible duplicates because I already went through the following two SO posts and they weren't of much help

ISSUES IMPORTING ANIMATED MODELS FROM MAYA TO BLENDER TO THREE JS

MAYA TO THREE JS WITH ANIMATION

This question needs a canonical answer since this may benefit multiple people.I will award a bounty to this question as soon as SO allows me to start a bounty.

Many Thanks!

Answer 1

It's not answered because at this point (8/2013) it's not simple :0

I have not tried it but it's been suggested that the Quake2 MD2 format offers a pathway for animated models into Three. Theres an online MD2 > JSON converter (again, haven't tried it). MD2 plugins for maya are hard to come by: you can build one using the source on github. Older versions of blender (< 2.5) apparently also export md2.

The Three JSON format - at least the publicly available one on the web site - doesn't seem to have any animation support ATM.

Answer 2

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg5azbNa4_ovpz9mxfDcV5g?feature=watch These videos didn't help me much, but maybe you can make some use of them.

Answer 3

You might be aware that THREE.js comes with an exporter for Maya, but it only works for static models.

I have created an updated version that also supports exporting rigged and animated models. It doesn't require any intermediate steps: it just outputs straight to a .JS file. We have a pull request to integrate the updated exporter with the THREE trunk, but if you want to get the new and improved exporter immediately you can get it from this repository: https://github.com/BlackTowerEntertainment/three.js/tree/maya_animation_exporter. The exporter files are in utils/exporters/maya.

Answer 4

You can export your model as FBX from Maya and then load it into http://Clara.io (the online 3D modeling, animation and rendering tool). From there you can export it in the various ThreeJS JSON formats pretty easily.

http://Clara.io supports loading at least the following formats:

• .blend - Blender 3D
• .3ds - 3D Studio
• .dae - Collada
• .dxf - AutoCAD
• .fbx - FilmBox (Autodesk FBX)
• .irr - Irritch Scenes
• .irrmesh - Irritch Meshes
• .iv - Inventor
• .json - Three.JS Meshes
• .lwo - Lightwave Objects
• .lws - Lightwave Scenes
• .lxo - Modo Objects
• .q3d, .q3s, .md, .md2, .md3, .md4 - Quake/Doom Meshes
• .mtl/.obj - Wavefront Objects
• .ply - Polygon Type
• .pov - PovRAY
• .shp - Shape Files
• .stl - Stereolithography (3D Printing)
• .vismat, .vismatzip - VRay Vismat
• .xgl, .zgl, .wrl, .wrz - VRML X3D Scene Files

Answer 5

If you're starting with Maya you can try www.inka3d.com. You also need a newer Maya, you can get a trial at autodesk (and install it in a vm when you need to export)