Best Data Transfer Language? Animation data transfer solution

Coding
1

Hi All,

I’m currently attempting to create a Maya Python script that takes animation data from one rig (keyframes, translation, rotation, scale) and transfer that data to another mesh with the same rig.

How I am attempting:

  1. Being able to save a file of current animation data using xml module for python within maya.
  2. Being able to open that xml file with the same script in a different scene and appy that data to the new mesh on a similar rigg.

Instead of trying to format the information myself, I decided to use xml based on this tutorial (http://eat3d.com/free/maya_python) which led me to this module (xml.dom.minidom — Minimal DOM implementation — Python 3.12.6 documentation).

Is there an easier way to do this? Does anybody recommend using a different module or data transfer language over XML?

I’m trying to get more comfortable with Python in Maya by building this script and I’m struggling with trying to apply the data to my models. I haven’t figured out a system yet. Just trying to get some more thought on the subject, it’s new to me and I’m struggling a little bit so any comments/suggestions are welcome.

2

json dump is one solution that is simplier, check it out for python.

3

check out this thread, as it applies to the same topic.
http://tech-artists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2304

oh and a shameless plug, I wrote a post about json in maya using python so you could start there as well
http://www.mattmurrayanimation.com/archives/243

4

Ah, great thanks! Was looking around for another thread with a similar topic but apparently wasn’t using the right keywords.

Will checkout JSON - thanks for the help - xml is hard to wrap my mind around

5

Just wanted to bump this thread since Matt edited his post with a blog about Json that I also mentioned :slight_smile: