Save and load a character layout

To save a layout

1. In the XML or text editor you are using to make changes, save your customized file with a unique name.
2. (Optional) Save your file to a new location.
   NoteIf you save your file in a location outside of the CharacterControls directory, make sure you copy all of your image resources (ie. the DefaultImages folder) to this new location.

To load a new layout

By default, Maya looks for the CharacterControlsConfig.xml and CustomRigControlsConfig.xml in the CharacterControls directory to open the Controls or Custom Rig tabs. When you load a new layout, the name and path of your customized file is stored as the new default that is loaded each time you start a new Maya session.

1. Tell Maya the name and location of your file(s) by selecting from the following options:
   • > Edit > Controls > Load UI Configuration
   • > Edit > Custom Rig > Load UI Configuration
2. Browse for the location of your custom configuration file in the Import UI Configuration File dialog box that appears.
3. Select your file and click Open.

   The default is updated and your custom layout appears in the Character Controls. This layout continues to appear in the Character Controls window, even after you have ended your Maya session or open a new file.

4. If you make changes to your layout after you load it, you can update it by selecting one of the following options:
   • > Edit > Controls > Update UI Configuration
   • > Edit > Custom Rig > Update UI Configuration

To load a new layout using MEL

1. Type one of the following MEL commands into the command line or Script Editor:
   • For the Controls tab, use the MEL command: updateHIKCharacterToolConfig( "path/to/my/config.xml" );
   • For the Custom Rig tab, use the MEL command: hikUpdateHIKCustomRigConfig( "path/to/my/config.xml" );