Installation

boneDynamicsNode can be installed quickly using pre-built binaries, or you can build it from source if needed.

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Using Pre-built Plug-ins

1. Download the appropriate boneDynamicsNode.mll for your Maya version from the Releases page.
2. Copy boneDynamicsNode.mll to:

   C:\Users\<USERNAME>\Documents\maya\<MAYAVERSION>\plug-ins
   

3. In Maya, open the Plug-in Manager and load boneDynamicsNode.mll.

Once the installation is complete, proceed to Quick Start!

Optional: Attribute Editor Template

For a custom Attribute Editor layout, copy AEboneDynamicsNodeTemplate.mel to:

C:\Users\<USERNAME>\Documents\maya\<MAYAVERSION>\scripts

Building from Source

For example, Maya 2024 in Windows:

1. Install Visual Studio 2022
2. Install CMake 3.22.1 or higher
3. Download SDKs from Maya API | Autodesk Platform Services (APS)
4. Set the devkitBase path in the DEVKIT_LOCATION environment variable.
5. Generate a project with the following command:

cd src
cmake . -Bbuild_2024 -G "Visual Studio 17 2022" -A x64

6. Build with Visual Studio or with the following command:

cmake --build build_2024

File / Folder Structure

./
│  README.md
│  LICENSE
├─src
├─plug-ins
├─scripts
└─sample_scripts

• src/
  Contains the source code for the Maya node, implemented in C++. The build system is based on CMake and is used to generate the plugin (.mll).

• plug-ins/
  Stores pre-built plugin files (.mll) for each supported version of Maya.

• scripts/
  Includes auxiliary scripts such as custom templates for the Maya Attribute Editor.
  Example: AEboneDynamicsNodeTemplate.mel

• sample_scripts/
  Provides example Python scripts for automating node connections.
  Examples: basic_usage.py, advanced_usage.py