Autodesk Maya provides a rich and powerful API that can be used to automate repetitive tasks, and to extend the core functionality of Maya. This functionality includes customization of 3D modeling, animation, visual effects, rendering, and many other areas. C++, Python, and .NET are supported. The Software Development Kit (SDK) provides extensive functionality and provides code samples and documentation to help get you started developing with the Maya API. Read more...
Maya Developer Center
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Find C#, Python, and C++ sample code at the ADN-DevTech Github organization.
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Get news, expert tips and insider resources directly from Autodesk software engineers.
- Around-the-Corner - Maya Platform – Cyrille Fauvel, Zhong Wu, and Cheng Xi Li
- The AREA bloggers often have interesting insight into Maya and programming topics
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Take part in active API discussion forums moderated by Autodesk software engineer.
Note: Please include the programming language in the subject line. For example, C++, C# or Python. This will help us to handle your posts.
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Easily extend the power of Maya and MotionBuilder using apps created for the end user community.
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Get easy access to APIs and documentation, tutorials, GitHub samples, support and more for Autodesk cloud-based software and components in your own web and mobile applications.
Learning and Documentation
Learn more about Maya API through Maya API documents and samples found in Maya devkit.
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Documentation and SDK Samples
- Learn more about Maya API through Maya API documents and samples found in Maya devkit. Starting with Maya 2016, the devkit is distributed separately. They can be downloaded from the end of this page. The C++ headers and library continue to be installed with Maya.
- Find the Maya customization documentation here: Maya API Documentation.
- There is general product support information from: Maya Knowledge Network.
Tools
The Maya programming environment is very rich. Here are the tools to help you succeed.
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Autodesk supports a developer registration scheme to prevent Maya node conflicts between different applications. To register your own block, go here.
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Autodesk supports a developer registration scheme to prevent Maya Tangent Types conflicts between different applications. You can define Anim Curve Interpolation Types. It allows for the creation and evaluation of customized animation curves, in addition to determination of the type ID and name of the curve. To register your own block, go here.
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Maya uses a modified distribution of the Qt open source. You can find them by clicking here. Browse to the specific version of Qt listed that supports the version of Maya that are working with, and then download via the link.
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An overview of the OpenMaya API architecture that also applies to Python.
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A brief overview of Maya API and top 10 important classes.
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Overview of the Maya API Internationalization architecture.
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The Maya C# Plug-in Wizard is an add-in for Visual Studio that facilitates the creation of C# plug-ins for different Maya versions, you can download the wizard from the GitHub repo here.
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This white paper explains how to use the Maya render pass framework. The covered topics include: rendering pipeline efficiency, configuring and customizing render passes, and how to composite render passes. The examples show how to leverage render passes to achieve efficient compositing workflows for common rendering, lighting and look tuning tasks.
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This white paper explains how to use the Maya Viewport 2.0 API and port your legacy viewport code to the latest Maya viewport technology.
Maya 2024 devkit Downloads
Maya 2023 devkit Downloads
Maya 2022 devkit Downloads
Maya 2020 devkit Downloads
Maya 2019 devkit Downloads
Maya 2018 devkit Downloads
Maya 2017 devkit Downloads
Maya 2016 devkit Downloads
Training and Support
API TRAINING
For more information on API Training please visit Autodesk Developer Network Open (linked text)
SUPPORT
If you need more professional customization support, consider joining the Autodesk Developer Network
Resources
ACCESS AUTODESK SOFTWARE FOR FREE
Trial versions are available for most Autodesk products. Download your free 30-days trial version today. You can obtain Autodesk desktop software for development use on an on-going basis by joining ADN.
AUTODESK CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES
All the information and resources needed to use Autodesk cloud-based software and components in your own web and mobile applications can be found on the Autodesk Platform Services (formerly Forge) Developer Portal. Get easy access to APIs and documentation, tutorials, GitHub samples, support and more.
