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Setup

Plugin Installation

Install the ApplicationPlugins package once to enable both glTF2.0 Import and glTF2.0 Export in Maya. For Maya 2024 and earlier, install numpy into that version's mayapy environment before first use.

Install Package Install NumPy Verify in Maya Open Importer Docs

Installation

Each platform's download is a zip with two top-level folders: maya-package/ and manual-install/, giving you two install methods - pick whichever fits your setup. Method A is recommended: Maya detects and loads the plugin automatically with no manual Plug-in Manager steps.

Method A - ApplicationPlugins (recommended, auto-load)

  1. Close Maya.
  2. From maya-package/, copy the entire gltf_importer_exporter_for_maya folder (the one containing PackageContents.xml and Contents) into one of:
Scope Path
System-wide C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\
Per-user %APPDATA%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\
  1. Restart Maya. Maya 2022 and later detects the package automatically and exposes both glTF2.0 Import and glTF2.0 Export.

Method B - Manual (plug-ins / scripts)

  1. Close Maya.
  2. From manual-install/, copy plug-ins and scripts into: 
    C:\Users\<username>\Documents\maya\<version>\plug-ins
C:\Users\<username>\Documents\maya\<version>\scripts
  3. Restart Maya, then open Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager and enable Load + Auto Load for gltf2_exporter_plugin.py and gltf2_importer_plugin.py.

Method A - ApplicationAddins (recommended, auto-load)

  1. Close Maya.
  2. From maya-package/, copy the entire gltf_importer_exporter_for_maya folder (the one containing PackageContents.xml and Contents) into: 
    /Applications/Autodesk/ApplicationAddins
    (Create the folder if it doesn't already exist.)
  3. Restart Maya. It is detected and loaded automatically.

Method B - Manual (plug-ins / scripts)

  1. Close Maya.
  2. From manual-install/, copy the contents of plug-ins into: 
    ~/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/<version>/plug-ins
  3. Copy the contents of scripts into: 
    ~/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/<version>/scripts
    (Create the plug-ins/scripts folders if they don't already exist.)
  4. Restart Maya, then open Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager and enable Load + Auto Load for gltf2_exporter_plugin.py and gltf2_importer_plugin.py.

The package declares linux64 support. Only the manual method has been tested-adjacent so far - please report any issues.

Method B - Manual (plug-ins / scripts)

  1. Close Maya.
  2. From manual-install/, copy the contents of plug-ins into: 
    ~/maya/<version>/plug-ins
  3. Copy the contents of scripts into: 
    ~/maya/<version>/scripts
    (Create the plug-ins/scripts folders if they don't already exist.)
  4. Restart Maya, then open Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager and enable Load + Auto Load for gltf2_exporter_plugin.py and gltf2_importer_plugin.py.

The maya-package/gltf_importer_exporter_for_maya folder must contain PackageContents.xml and a Contents subfolder at its root. The manual-install folder contains a top-level plug-ins folder (only the two plugin entry-point files) and a scripts folder (everything else the plugin needs).

NumPy Requirement

Maya 2025 or later: no extra steps - numpy is bundled.

Maya 2022-2024: install numpy once into that version's mayapy before first use.

Note: The steps below cover the tested Windows setup. Run your terminal as Administrator and replace 2024 with your Maya version (2022, 2023, or 2024).

  1. Close Maya.
  2. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator.
  3. Navigate to the Maya bin folder and run the install:
cd /d "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2024\bin"
mayapy.exe -m pip install numpy

Installing numpy for Maya using mayapy in Command Prompt
Install numpy once in the target Maya version before loading the plug-in on Maya 2024 and earlier.

Set-Location "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2024\bin"
.\mayapy.exe -m pip install numpy

Installing numpy for Maya using mayapy in PowerShell
Install numpy once in the target Maya version before loading the plug-in on Maya 2024 and earlier.

Verify the NumPy Install

mayapy.exe -c "import numpy; print(numpy.__version__)"

.\mayapy.exe -c "import numpy; print(numpy.__version__)"

If pip Is Unavailable

Bootstrap pip first, then rerun the install command above:

mayapy.exe -m ensurepip --upgrade

.\mayapy.exe -m ensurepip --upgrade

Verification

  1. Open Maya.
  2. Confirm the glTF2.0 menu appears in the main menu bar.
  3. Go to File > Import and confirm glTF2.0 Import is listed.
  4. Go to File > Export All or File > Export Selection and confirm glTF2.0 Export is listed.
  5. Open each option panel once to confirm the import and export UI loads without errors.

Updating or Removing

Delete the installed gltf_importer_exporter_for_maya folder from wherever you installed it (ApplicationPlugins, ApplicationAddins, or the plug-ins/scripts folders you copied into), then copy in the new build.

If Maya does not show the glTF options after installation, check the Script Editor for load errors and confirm the copied folder structure matches the layout described above.