Edit Deformers > Import Deformer Weights

Edit Deformers > Import Deformer Weights >

Opens the Import Deformer Weights Options, where you can select a file containing the deformer weight map you want to import.

Deformer node: Lets you enter the name of the node where you want to import the weights. You can also select the node from the Existing nodes list.
Existing nodes: Select from a drop-down list of the deformer nodes in your scene.
File name: Enter the name of the XML file you want to import, or click the folder icon to browse and select a file.
Mapping Method: This drop-down menu lets you select from the following options:

Index: Replaces current values on the skinned object with the imported values taken from the XML file, overwriting values only for vertices that match between the mesh and imported weights file (for example vertex1 on mesh to vertex1 of the imported XML file.)

Select this option if you want the import to rely on the index of the vertex in the deformer. This is useful for getting a perfect match between shape nodes and deformers.
Nearest: Select this option if you want Maya to determine which point gets what weights based on the proximity of the point in the weight map. This can be useful when the index numbers have changed but the topology is very similar or exact.
Over: Replaces current values on the skinned object with the imported values taken from the XML file, overwriting any default values for weights.

Ignore names: When on, Maya ignores the names of the deformer nodes when trying to import weights.
Normalize Weights: When on (by default), Maya completes an extra normalization pass while importing the weight values in order to prevent jagged artifacts from appearing on the target mesh. In some cases, these artifacts can occur after weight values are rounded on export.