Autodesk Maya Gaussian Splats
Gaussian Splats Importer and Exporter for Maya
A Maya-first hub for Gaussian splat captures: import and export many formats, place and lookdev in the viewport, render with Arnold or V-Ray, and round-trip through glTF/GLB with the PolyPulse3D glTF plugin. Windows only · Maya 2022-2027 (x64).
Install in a few minutes
Recommended install under ApplicationPlugins, with module and manual options if your studio prefers them.
ImportOpen your capture in Maya
Load PLY, SOG, SPLAT, KSPLAT, NPZ, or SPZ as-is, then adjust viewport look, up axis, and scene embed.
RenderBeauty in Maya
Path-traced Arnold beauty, or V-Ray on Maya 2025-2027 with synced Chaos Gaussian splat objects.
ExportSend captures back out
Export to PLY, NPZ, SPLAT, KSPLAT, SOG, or SPZ - with optional SH degree and format-specific compression.
ArnoldRender with Arnold
Path-traced beauty with SH lighting, opacity, and size controls when Arnold for Maya is installed.
V-RayRender with V-Ray
Maya 2025-2027: Chaos Gaussian splats with synced look controls. CPU always; GPU on V-Ray 7 Update 2+.
glTFWork with glTF
Round-trip Gaussian splats inside glTF/GLB when the PolyPulse3D glTF plugin is also loaded.
Why this plugin?¶
Many renderers can load a Gaussian splat for beauty. This plugin is built for the Maya pipeline around that - convert, place, lookdev, save, and ship to other tools without leaving Maya.
| Advantage | What you get |
|---|---|
| Many formats in and out | Import and export PLY (including compressed), SOG, SPLAT, KSPLAT, NPZ, and SPZ through Maya’s File menus - not locked to one renderer’s file type. |
| Round-trip friendly | Bring a capture in, move / rotate / scale it, tune look controls, then export again for SuperSplat, web viewers, research tools, or archive. Optional export SH Degree keeps lighting detail under your control. |
| Maya scene workflow | Viewport preview, selection framing, Up Axis, Embed In Scene for self-contained .ma / .mb, and Attribute Editor look controls that artists already know. |
| Renderer sync, not replacement | When Arnold or V-Ray is loaded, the plugin keeps their Gaussian splat objects in sync with your Maya object - so placement and look stay tied to one source of truth. |
| glTF Gaussian splatting | With the PolyPulse3D glTF Importer and Exporter, carry Gaussian splats inside glTF / GLB for web and real-time delivery - beyond a single PLY drop into a renderer. |
| One object, many destinations | Same capture can go to viewport lookdev, Arnold, V-Ray, a web format, or glTF without rebuilding the asset each time. |
Renderer import vs this plugin
Use your renderer’s native Gaussian splat loader when you only need a quick beauty from one file. Use this plugin when you need format conversion, Maya placement / lookdev, scene persistence, multi-renderer sync, or glTF Gaussian splat workflows.
What you can do¶
| Task | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Install for your Maya year | Plugin Installation |
| Import a capture | Importing Splats |
| Adjust viewport look / up axis | Viewport and Attributes |
| Export for web or archive | Exporting Splats |
| Arnold beauty | Arnold Rendering |
| V-Ray beauty (Maya 2025-2027) | V-Ray Rendering |
| glTF Gaussian splats | Working with glTF |
| Common questions | FAQ |
Requirements¶
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Platform | Windows only (x64). macOS and Linux are not supported in this release. |
| Maya | 2022-2027 - use the package that matches your Maya year |
| Viewport | Viewport 2.0 |
| Optional render | Arnold for Maya; V-Ray for Maya 2025-2027 (CPU; GPU on V-Ray 7 Update 2+) |
| Optional glTF | glTF Importer and Exporter for Maya (separate PolyPulse3D product) |
Trademarks¶
- Maya is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
- Arnold is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
- V-Ray is a trademark of Chaos Software.
- All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This plugin is an independent third-party tool and is not officially endorsed by or affiliated with Autodesk, Inc. or Chaos Software.