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Synopsis

parent( [dagObject...] [dagObject] , [absolute=boolean], [addObject=boolean], [noConnections=boolean], [relative=boolean], [removeObject=boolean], [shape=boolean], [world=boolean])

Note: Strings representing object names and arguments must be separated by commas. This is not depicted in the synopsis.

parent is undoable, NOT queryable, and NOT editable.

If the -w flag is specified all the selected or specified objects are parented to the world (unparented first).

If the -rm flag is specified then all the selected or specified instances are removed.

If there are more than two objects specified all the objects are parented to the last object specified.

If the -add flag is specified, the objects are not reparented but also become children of the last object specified.

If there is only a single object specified then the selected objects are parented to that object.

If an object is parented under a different group and there is an object in that group with the same name then this command will rename the parented object.

Return value

Related

Flags

Long name (short name)	Argument types	Properties
world(w)	boolean
unparent given object(s) (parent to world)
relative(r)	boolean
preserve existing local object transformations (relative to the parent node)
absolute(a)	boolean
preserve existing world object transformations (overall object transformation is preserved by modifying the objects local transformation) If the object to parent is a joint, it will alter the translation and joint orientation of the joint to preserve the world object transformation if this suffices. Otherwise, a transform will be inserted between the joint and the parent for this purpose. In this case, the transformation inside the joint is not altered. [default]
addObject(add)	boolean
preserve existing local object transformations but don't reparent, just add the object(s) under the parent. Use -world to add the world as a parent of the given objects.
removeObject(rm)	boolean
remove an instance of an object from under the parent. (Note: if there is a single parent then the object is effectively deleted from the scene) Use -world to remove the world as a parent of the given object.
shape(s)	boolean
The parent command usually only operates on transforms. Using this flags allows a shape that is specified to be directly parented under the given transform. This is used to instance a shape node. (ie. "parent -add -shape" is equivalent to the "instance" command). This flag is primarily used by the file format.
noConnections(nc)	boolean
The parent command will normally generate new instanced set connections when adding instances. (ie. make a connection to the shading engine for new instances) This flag supresses this behaviour and is primarily used by the file format.

Flag can appear in Create mode of command	Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command	Flag can have multiple arguments, passed either as a tuple or a list.

Python examples

import maya.cmds as cmds

# Create some objects
cmds.circle( name='circle1' )
cmds.move( 5, 0, 0 )
cmds.group( n='group1' )
cmds.move( -5, 0, 0 )
cmds.group( em=True, n='group2' )

# Move the circle under group2.
# Note that the circle remains where it is.
cmds.parent( 'circle1', 'group2' )

# Let's try that again with the -relative flag. This time
# the circle will move.
cmds.undo()
cmds.parent( 'circle1', 'group2', relative=True )

# Create an instance of the circle using the parent command.
# This makes circle1 a child of group1 and group2.
cmds.undo()
cmds.parent( 'circle1', 'group2', add=True )

# Remove group1 as a parent of the circle
cmds.parent( 'group1|circle1', removeObject=True )

# Move the circle to the top of the hierarchy
cmds.parent( 'group2|circle1', world=True )