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Mesh Options

Gaussian Splats

Export GaussianSplatLocator nodes as KHR_gaussian_splatting point primitives.

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Default: Off
glTF Extension: KHR_gaussian_splatting

Gaussian splats are a volumetric representation of a captured scene. This option exports GaussianSplatLocator nodes using the KHR_gaussian_splatting extension so they can be viewed in runtimes that support it.

Requirements

Before enabling this option, make sure:

  • You are on Windows - the companion plug-in is Windows only (macOS and Linux are not supported)
  • The companion Gaussian Splat Importer and Exporter for Maya plug-in (GaussianSplatPlugin) is installed and loaded
  • GaussianSplatLocator nodes already exist in your Maya scene
  • The export bridge connecting that plug-in to the glTF exporter is available (included when the companion plug-in is loaded)

Get the companion plug-in from PolyPulse3D (Windows only).

If any of these are missing, the export still completes but splat shapes are skipped with a warning.

What happens when enabled

  • Each GaussianSplatLocator node is written as a glTF point primitive carrying KHR_gaussian_splatting extension data
  • The extension is registered in extensionsUsed so supporting viewers can render the splats

Compress Splats

Default: Off
Enabled only when: Gaussian Splats is checked

When Gaussian Splats export is on, Compress Splats stores splat attributes using quantized normalized integers where the KHR_gaussian_splatting spec allows it (rotation, opacity, COLOR_0).

Setting What you get
Off (default) Full-float splat attributes - maximum precision
On Smaller glTF/GLB files with a slight precision tradeoff vs full float attributes

The checkbox is disabled (and forced off) whenever Gaussian Splats is unchecked.

SH Degree

Default: 3
Enabled only when: Gaussian Splats is checked
Values: 0 (base color only) · 1 · 2 · 3

SH Degree caps how much spherical-harmonic lighting detail is written into the KHR_gaussian_splatting primitive. Lower degrees drop higher lighting bands cleanly and produce smaller files. If the source only has degree 1 or 2, export uses that lower amount automatically even when 3 is selected.

You choose Source has File you get
3 (default) 3 / 2 / 1 / 0 3 / 2 / 1 / 0 (uses what exists)
2 3 2 (drops higher bands correctly)
2 1 1 (steps down)
0 any Base color only (DC)

This matches the companion Gaussian Splat Importer and Exporter for Maya export SH Degree control. It is separate from the Attribute Editor SH Degree slider on GaussianSplatLocator nodes, which only affects viewport / Arnold preview.

The menu is disabled whenever Gaussian Splats is unchecked.

What happens when disabled (or the plug-in is unavailable)

  • Splat shapes are skipped with a warning printed to the Maya Script Editor
  • All other scene content - meshes, materials, animations - exports as normal

Note

This option has no effect on regular polygon meshes or NURBS geometry. It applies only to GaussianSplatLocator nodes created by the Gaussian Splat Importer and Exporter for Maya plug-in (Windows only).