vrn Normalifique
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vrnNormalifique.mel - MEL Script
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DESCRIPTION:
The script will align (and lock) the vertex normals of the current selection to the normals of the selected faces. The effect is similar to Maya's weighted normals setting but the resulting normals will be "snapped" rather than just weighted.
This allows for smoother shading on low poly hard surface materials that use bevels. This will also result in cleaner normal map bakes with less gradients which in turn will cause less normal map compression artifacts.
For more details please consult the tutorial below.
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INSTALLATION:
1. Copy the files into the script directory, usually:
My Documents/maya/<version>/scripts
2. Restart Maya or execute "rehash" in the Script Editor.
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USAGE:
Call the function with either commands:
-will set the perimeter normals so that they snap to the current
selected faces
-will set all the normals in the current selection to the average normal
of the entire selection
Bonus commands:
-copies the normal of the current selection
vrnPasteNormal;
-pastes the normal to the current selection
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Quick tutorial:
vrntech.ro/blog/WE9Y/maya-mel-script-vrnnormalifique
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REQUIREMENTS:
Maya 2017 or newer (might work in previous versions although not tested)
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VERSION HISTORY:
v 0.1 alpha
-initial version
-limitation: internal hard edges relative to initial selection are
not preserved
v 0.2 beta
-added vrnSoftEdge procedure which soften edges while preserving custom normals
-rewrote from scratch with new logic based on vrnSoftEdge
v 1
-initial public release
-fixed some bugs
v 1.1
-added bonus vrnCopyNormal and vrnPasteNormal
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CONTACT INFO:
Valentin Nadolu
vrntech.ro
valentin.nadolu@yahoo.com
You can use the script for personal or/and commercial work.
If you do find it useful, please give me credit in your work where possible!