Skip to content

Plugin Installation

Install for Maya 2022-2027 on Windows (x64). This release is Windows only.

Each Maya year needs its matching package (for example use Maya2025 with Maya 2025).

Your download includes three install layouts - pick one. Do not install the same plugin twice through different methods.

Recommended

Use the maya-package layout and install to:

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins

Before you start

  1. Close Maya.
  2. Unzip the download and open the folder for your Maya year (Maya2022 … Maya2027).
  3. Inside you should see:
MayaYYYY/
    ├── maya-package/      ← recommended
    ├── module-package/
    └── manual-install/

Several Maya versions on one PC

Install one package per Maya year. Under ApplicationPlugins, give each folder a unique name (for example GaussianSplatPlugin2025, GaussianSplatPlugin2027) so they do not overwrite each other.

Where to install

Scope Path
Whole machine (preferred) C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\
Your user only %APPDATA%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\

You may need administrator permission for ProgramData.

Steps

  1. Copy the entire GaussianSplatPlugin folder from maya-package/ into one of the paths above.

  2. Confirm you have something like:

    …\ApplicationPlugins\
            └── GaussianSplatPlugin\
                        ├── PackageContents.xml
                        └── Contents\
                                ├── plug-ins\
                                │   └── GaussianSplatPlugin.mll
                                └── scripts\
                                    └── …

  3. Start the matching Maya year.

  4. Open Windows → Settings/Preferences → Plug-in Manager and confirm GaussianSplatPlugin is listed.
  5. If it is not loaded yet, enable Loaded (and optionally Auto load).

Opening an old scene

Scenes that already contain a splat locator usually load the plugin automatically. That is normal.

Method 2 - module-package

Best if your studio already uses Maya’s modules folders.

  1. Copy both of these from module-package/ into your Maya modules folder:

    %USERPROFILE%\Documents\maya\<YYYY>\modules\
                                        ├── GaussianSplatPlugin.mod
                                        └── GaussianSplatPlugin\       ← plugin folder

  2. Start Maya and load GaussianSplatPlugin in the Plug-in Manager (Loaded / Auto load).

Warning

The .mod file only adds search paths. You still need to load the plugin once (or open a scene that needs it).

Method 3 - Manual install

  1. Close Maya.

  2. From manual-install/, copy into:

    Documents\maya\<YYYY>\
                    ├── plug-ins\     ← .mll
                    └── scripts\      ← MEL helpers

  3. Restart Maya and enable Loaded + Auto load for GaussianSplatPlugin.mll.

Which method should I pick?

maya-package module-package manual-install
Best for Most artists Studios that use .mod modules Locked-down ApplicationPlugins
Recommended Yes Alternate Alternate

One install only

Installing through two methods at once can load the wrong build. Remove the unused copy before switching.

Check that it worked

After the plugin is loaded:

  1. File → Import → Files of type includes Gaussian Splats Import.
  2. File → Export All / Export Selection → Files of type includes Gaussian Splats Export.

Update or remove

Method Update Remove
maya-package Close Maya, replace the GaussianSplatPlugin folder, restart Delete that folder
module-package Replace .mod + folder under modules, restart, reload Delete .mod + folder
manual-install Replace files under plug-ins / scripts, restart Delete the .mll and related MEL scripts