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Synopsis

deformerWeights [-deformer string] [-export] [-ignoreName] [-import] [-method string] [-path string] [-shape string]

deformerWeights is undoable, queryable, and editable.

Command to import and export the deformer weights to simple XML file. The Weight data is store in a per vertex fashion and reference into a point cloud of vertex data coming from the input geometry of the the deformer. For example a cluster deformer would have the following information: On import the weights are then maped back to the given deformer based on the method.

Return value

none

In query mode, return type is based on queried flag.

Keywords

deformer, export

Flags

deformer, export, ignoreName, import, method, path, shape
Long name (short name) Argument types Properties
-export(-ex) createqueryedit
Export the given deformer
-import(-im) createqueryedit
Import the given file to place weight on the listed deformer. See the method flag for details on the weights will be mapped to the destination deformer.
-path(-p) string createqueryedit
The path to the given file. Default to the current project.
-shape(-sh) string createqueryedit
Specify the source deformed shape. CURRENTLY NOT SUPPORTED!
-deformer(-df) string createqueryedit
Specify the deformer whose weights should be exported or imported.
-method(-m) string createqueryedit
Set the method for find the weight of a given vertex on import. "index" method uses the vertex index to map the weights onto the object. This is used when the object share the same topology as the exported data. "nearest" method find the nearest vertex in the imported data set and set the weight value to that value. This is best used when mapping a higher resolution mesh to a lower resolution. "barycentric" method is only support with polygon meshes. It finds the nearest triangle of the target geometry and rescales the weights by how close the source point is the the vertices. This is normally used with course mesh being mapped to a high resolution mesh. Note that the geometry being used is not the shape node but rather the incoming geometry to the deformer. In the case of a skin cluster this would be that bind pose.
-ignoreName(-ig) createqueryedit
Ignore the names of the layers on import, just use the order of the layers instead. This can be used for case that joint names have been changed. Leaving it on only name that match on import will be write to the deformer.
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 be used more than once in a command.

MEL examples

// Create plane and a cluster.
//
file -f -new;
polyPlane -w 10 -h 10 -sx 5 -sy 5 -ax 0 1 0 -ch 1;
cluster -n "testCluster" pPlane1;
// Modify some weights on the -x side of the character
//
select pPlane1.vtx[0] pPlane1.vtx[6] pPlane1.vtx[12] pPlane1.vtx[18];
percent -v 0.5 testCluster;
// export the weights from the cluster node
//
deformerWeights -export -deformer "testCluster" "clusterWeights.xml";