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Exporter Guide

Animation Export

Decide whether to export animation, which Maya source to use, and whether to bake keys for web playback.

Open Exporter Overview Install the Plug-in View Supported Features Animation Settings
Animation section of the glTF2.0 Export options panel
The Animation section: Export Animation, Animation Mode, and Bake Animation Keyframes.

  • Export Animation Off

    No animation in the file. Use for static look-dev exports.

  • Scene Keys

    Uses keys already on your objects. Optional bake for safer web playback.

  • Sampled

    Dense keys from the final Maya motion. Best for constraints and complex rigs.

  • Time Editor Clips

    One glTF animation per Time Editor clip. Recommended for web and real-time delivery with Bake Animation Keyframes On.

Recommended for web and real-time viewers

Use Time Editor Clips with Bake Animation Keyframes On (default) when exporting for Babylon.js, model-viewer, and other web or real-time runtimes.

Scene Keys

  • Exports keys that already exist on your objects
  • Bake off - keeps more Maya curve detail for re-import and editing; file can be larger
  • Bake on (default) - denser keys that play more reliably in web and real-time viewers (including full rotations)
  • Use when the animation you want is already keyed on the scene

Sampled

  • Exports the final motion you see when you scrub the timeline
  • Prefer this when constraints, motion paths, or complex rigs drive the result
  • Files are usually larger than sparse Scene Keys without bake

Time Editor Clips

  • Exports each Time Editor clip (or each row from the Animation Clips panel) as its own animation
  • Includes clips from every Time Editor composition. The composition selected in Animation Clips is for editing and does not limit the export
  • Best when the importer created clips for you, or when you author clips in the Time Editor
  • Hold clips such as still keep the correct pose and visibility for that clip in viewers
  • Visibility show/hide and light intensity animation are supported
  • Pair with Bake Animation Keyframes On for web and real-time delivery

Bake Animation Keyframes

Applies to Scene Keys and Time Editor Clips (On by default):

  • On (default) - better for Babylon.js and other web / real-time viewers; usually smaller and more predictable
  • Off - better for Maya round-trip editing; can make larger files

Full option details: Animation Settings.

  1. Turn Export Animation off if you only need a static model.
  2. For web and real-time delivery, use Time Editor Clips with Bake Animation Keyframes On (recommended).
  3. Use Time Editor Clips for imported multi-clip products.
  4. Use Scene Keys for simple keyed scenes.
  5. Use Sampled when constraints or complex rigs drive the motion.
  6. After export, check the Export Log summary for clip names, bake setting, and whether export used the fast or slow animation path.