Show in Contents

Add to Favorites

Home: Autodesk Maya Online Help

 

Assets and file referencing

Assets and file referencing

Replace referenced containers

 

User Guide > General > Basics > Assets > Assets and file referencing > 

Reference an asset with file referencing

You can export a container in your scene as a reference. When you do this, the actual container and its contents is stored in its own file while your main scene references that file. For more information see Export objects as a referenced file.

To export a container as a reference

1. Select the container(s) you want to export.
2. Select File > Export All, Export Selection > .

   The Export Selection Options window appears.

3. Turn Keep only a reference on.
4. You can also turn on options in the Include section to include additional animation, shaders, etc that exist outside of the container. Anything encapsulated by the container is included automatically.
5. Select Export Selection.

   A file browser appears.

6. Select a location and enter a name for the reference file.

Maya automatically creates a reference from the container in your new reference file to the main scene file.

Depending on your workflow, you may find it easier to first create your asset in an external file. If you choose to do this, you must create a reference manually from this file to the main scene file.

To import a container as a reference

1. Open the file you want to import the container into.
2. Select File > Create Reference.

   A file browser appears.

3. Navigate to select your reference file.
4. Click Reference.

   The container is loaded into the scene as a reference.