How to import¶
Import a splat capture as a transform with a Gaussian splat shape you can move, lookdev, render, and export.
Import from the File menu¶
- Make sure GaussianSplatPlugin is loaded (Plug-in Manager).
- Choose File → Import.
- Set Files of type to Gaussian Splats Import.
- Pick a supported file (
.ply,.npz,.splat,.ksplat,.sog, or.spz) and click Import.
Maya creates:
- A transform (named from the file when possible)
- A Gaussian splat shape underneath it
There is no separate import options dialog - choose the file and import.
What happens on import¶
| Behavior | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Embed In Scene | On by default. The capture is stored inside the Maya scene so you can reopen .ma / .mb without the original file. Turn it off for smaller scenes that keep a link to the file on disk. |
| Coordinates | Files come in as written - no automatic scale or flip. If the capture looks tiny, huge, or flipped, scale/rotate it in Maya or change Up Axis. |
| SH Degree | Set automatically from lighting detail in the file (0-3). You can change it later for viewport / Arnold. |
| Up Axis | Defaults to Y up. Change it in the Attribute Editor if the capture was authored for a different up direction (for example -Y up). |
| Render helpers | If Arnold or V-Ray is available, the plugin creates matching render objects for you. On V-Ray (and Arnold native on Maya 2027+), these live as a world-level sibling of your splat - not as a child of the shape. |
After import¶
- Select the transform and press F to frame it.
- Open the Attribute Editor on the shape (not only the transform).
- Adjust Viewport, Up Axis, and Rendering as needed.
- Place the object in your shot. Export will bake the transform into the written file.
Saving Maya scenes¶
| Mode | Scene size | Needs the original capture on disk? |
|---|---|---|
| Embed In Scene on (default) | Larger | No |
| Embed In Scene off | Small | Yes - keep the path valid |
Large embeds
Very large clouds (hundreds of thousands of splats) can make .ma / .mb files huge. If Maya warns about embed size, turn Embed In Scene off and keep the capture next to the project.
Plugin loads with the scene
Maya remembers that the scene needs this plugin. Opening such a scene loads it automatically - that is expected.
Optional: import from Script Editor¶
import maya.cmds as cmds
cmds.GaussianSplatImport(filePath="C:/captures/room.ply", nodeName="roomSplat")
If the viewport is empty after reopen¶
- Confirm the plugin can load.
- If embed was off, restore the capture file at the stored path (or re-import).
- If embed was on, reopen a save that was made with embed enabled.