Template:Maya2017 Hierarchy

Beginning a project

First, set your project. (by setting a project Maya knows the location where all files of your project should be saved and files will automatically be placed (and found) in a proper location)

Don't use spaces in file names (spaces aren't always supported properly, for example when using batch rendering).

Always use comprehensible file names:

Scenes

project_description_author_date_version

Designmuseum_Construction_PR_20060412_v01.mb

The description should point out whether a file is relevant for the current project. De description 'construction' helps other people that work on the project to identify the contents of a specific file. By including the authors name, everyone knows who to address when there's a problem. The date shows when a file was last modified and whether or not a file contains information that is up to date. Adding a version number refines this, so different versions can be saved for a specific date.

When file referencing is used, it's more convenient to strip the date and version number. Nevertheless it's recommended to use a date and version number for archived files. The file that should be used for referencing could be named filename_current.mb.

File textures

Use clear names for file textures.

Examples:
column_concrete_color.jpg
construction_steel_color.jpg
metals_aluminum_color.jpg
facade_west_color.jpg
facade_west_transp.jpg

Textures: filetype and resolution

Save textures as JPG (non progressive!) using maximum quality (minimum compression).

The resolution depends on the desired quality and the size of the texture in the final render. Use very large textures with caution: it can negatively affect the render speed. Use resolutions between 640-480 and max. 1600-1200. Higher resolutions should only be used exceptionally.

Store textures in the sourceimages directory of the Maya project, so NOT in the textures directory!