Guides
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers for install, scenes, formats, viewport, Arnold, and V-Ray.
Renderers can import Gaussians already - why use this plugin?
Native renderer import is great for a quick beauty from one file. This plugin is for the Maya pipeline: many formats in and out (PLY, SOG, SPLAT, KSPLAT, NPZ, SPZ), viewport lookdev and placement, embed in scenes, sync to Arnold / V-Ray from one object, and glTF Gaussian splatting with the PolyPulse3D glTF plugin. See Why this plugin?.
Why is my viewport empty after I reopen the scene?
- Confirm the plugin can load.
- If Embed In Scene was off, restore the capture file at the stored path (or re-import).
- If embed was on, reopen a save that actually had embed enabled.
Why are my .ma / .mb files huge?
Embed In Scene stores the full capture in the Maya file (on by default). Turn it off for small scenes that reference the file on disk. Very large clouds may also show a Script Editor tip about embed size.
Why did the plugin load by itself?
Normal. Scenes that contain a splat object tell Maya to load GaussianSplatPlugin automatically.
The capture came in tiny / huge / flipped - what do I do?
Imports keep the file’s own coordinates (no automatic scale or flip). If the object looks tiny, huge, or flipped, scale/rotate it in Maya or change Up Axis on the shape (for example -Y up). Export keeps your edits.
Which format should I export for the web?
- SuperSplat / PlayCanvas: SOG, or compressed PLY
- Three.js GaussianSplats3D: KSPLAT (Mode 1)
- Niantic / Adobe compact: SPZ
- Quick preview: SPLAT
- Highest quality archive: uncompressed PLY
What does export SH Degree do?
It caps how much lighting detail is written to the file (default 3). If the source only has degree 1 or 2, export uses that lower amount automatically. This is separate from the Attribute Editor SH Degree slider (viewport / Arnold preview).
Can I export several splat objects at once?
Export All needs exactly one splat in the scene. For multiple captures, select one and use Export Selection.
I don’t see Gaussian Splats Import / Export in the File menu
Load GaussianSplatPlugin in the Plug-in Manager. Module installs only add paths - you still need to load the plugin (or open a scene that needs it).
Which install method should I use?
maya-package into C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins for most people. See Plugin Installation.
Do I need the glTF plugin?
Only if you want Gaussian splats inside glTF/GLB. Get it from polypulse3d.com. Regular PLY/SOG/SPZ workflows do not need it.
Why is Arnold ignoring my splats?
Confirm Arnold for Maya is loaded, the shape still has data, and Opaque is off. Transparency Depth should be at least 128 (the plugin raises it if needed). Check Up Axis if the cloud is off-camera.
Why isn’t selection a green point cloud?
By design. Selection uses a wire box with corner brackets so large clouds stay readable.
Can I edit individual Gaussians like mesh vertices?
Not in this plugin. Place and scale the whole capture, adjust look controls, and export. Edit per-splat detail in a dedicated splat editor, then re-import.
Is this available on macOS or Linux?
No. This release is Windows only (Maya 2022-2027, x64).
Why is my V-Ray render empty?
Load V-Ray before import. In the Outliner, confirm a world-level *_vrayHold with *_vrayGS under it. Try V-Ray CPU first. GPU needs V-Ray 7 Update 2+ - older builds leave GPU empty. See V-Ray rendering.
Why are there extra V-Ray nodes next to my splat?
Expected. The plugin creates a world-level *_vrayHold / *_vrayGS sibling so V-Ray can render without breaking Maya selection. Leave it at world root - move your splat transform; the hold follows. Do not parent it under the splat.
Can I use V-Ray GPU for Gaussian splats?
Yes on V-Ray 7 Update 2 or later (typical on Maya 2026/2027). On older V-Ray 7 builds (common on some Maya 2025 installs), use V-Ray CPU or update V-Ray. See V-Ray rendering.
Why does SH Degree do nothing in V-Ray?
By design. V-Ray beauty uses base color only. View-dependent SH still works in the viewport and Arnold.
Maya crashed after I unloaded V-Ray
Usually from Force-unloading V-Ray. Restart Maya and avoid Force unload - turn off Auto load, then restart. See Unloading V-Ray safely.