Exporter FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answers for file format, animation modes, bake size, export speed, clips, materials, and compression.
Do I need a separate exporter install?
No. Import and export are in the same plug-in package.
Should I use glb or glTF?
Use glb for a single shareable file. Use glTF when you want textures or buffers as separate files beside the JSON.
Which animation mode should I pick?
Use Time Editor Clips for imported multi-clip assets, including several glTF files in one Maya scene. That mode writes clips from every Time Editor composition. Use Scene Keys for simple keyed scenes. Use Sampled when constraints or complex rigs drive the motion. Bake Animation Keyframes is on by default for Scene Keys and Time Editor Clips so web playback stays dense and reliable; turn it off only when you need sparse Maya curve round-trip editing.
Why is my file much larger with Bake off?
Bake off keeps extra Maya curve detail for Graph Editor round-trip. That detail can make the file larger even when the model itself is the same size. For web delivery, leave Bake on (the default) or use Sampled.
Why is export slow on some scenes?
Check the Export Log. If it shows the fast clip path, export should be relatively quick for Time Editor / imported clips. If it shows timeline sampling, the exporter is stepping through every frame - that is slower on long clips and common when animation only lives as plain timeline keys.
A still clip looks right in Maya but wrong in Babylon
Re-export with the current plug-in. Hold clips must keep their pose and visibility in the file so selecting that clip in a viewer restores the full intended look (for example mattress and bed base together). Older exports could drop that hold data.
Why are my gaussian splats not exporting?
Gaussian splat export needs the companion Gaussian Splat Importer and Exporter for Maya plug-in (GaussianSplatPlugin) loaded. That companion plug-in is Windows only. If it is missing, GaussianSplatLocator nodes are skipped with a warning and the rest of the export continues.
Get the companion plug-in from PolyPulse3D (Windows only).
What does export SH Degree do for gaussian splats?
It caps how much lighting detail is written into the KHR_gaussian_splatting file (default 3). If the source only has degree 1 or 2, export uses that lower amount automatically. Lower degrees produce smaller files. This is separate from the Attribute Editor SH Degree slider on the companion plug-in, which only affects viewport / Arnold preview.
See Gaussian Splats for the full behavior table.
Where do I get the Gaussian Splat companion plug-in?
Download Gaussian Splat Importer and Exporter for Maya from https://polypulse3d.com. It is Windows only (macOS and Linux are not supported). Install and load GaussianSplatPlugin before enabling Gaussian Splats import or export in the glTF plug-in.
Can imported material variants be exported again?
Yes. Each imported file keeps its own Material Variants File, including after you save and reopen the Maya scene. Avoid deleting unused materials in Hypershade if you plan to export variants later. Empty variants are left out unless Export Empty variants is on. See Material Variants.
How do I keep UV transforms on round trip?
Import with Use file/place2dTexture texture nodes enabled. That gives the exporter Maya texture placement it can write back into the file.
What do Draco and mesh quantization do?
Both can shrink geometry. Draco compresses mesh data. Mesh quantization stores positions and related data with lower precision. Always check quality in your target viewer before shipping.
Should I compress normal maps with KTX2?
Leave Compress Normal Maps off unless you have checked the result. Lossy KTX2 can add banding or noise on normals. Color maps are usually safer to compress than normals.
How do I report bugs or request features?
Use glTF2.0 > Report an Issue in Maya, or open the contact page.
You can also join the Discord server for announcements and community support.
When reporting issues, please include Maya version and operating system, the export options you used, Script Editor or Export Log output, and steps to reproduce the issue. Sample files help when they can be shared.
If your question isn't answered here, please check the other documentation pages, report an issue, or join the Discord server for additional support.