MetaHuman DNA to JSON Converter for Maya

Overview

This is a Maya 2023 based Python application designed to load MetaHuman DNA files and convert them to JSON format. The application provides an intuitive user interface for Maya, allowing users to load DNA files, select a desired data layer, and save the file in JSON format.

The application utilizes the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration API, developed by Epic Games, which allows for the manipulation, modification, and calibration of MetaHuman DNA files. The DNA files store the rigging and animation data necessary to drive high-quality MetaHuman facial rigs.

Features

• Load DNA Files: Open DNA files using a file dialog within Maya.
• Select Data Layers: Choose from multiple available data layers (e.g., DataLayer_All, DataLayer_Behavior, etc.) when loading DNA files.
• Save as JSON: Convert and save the DNA data to a JSON format using the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration API.
• User-Friendly Interface: A simple, streamlined PyQt-based interface embedded in Maya.

Requirements

• Maya 2023 or later.
• MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration API (found here: https://github.com/EpicGames/MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration).
• PySide2: This application uses the PySide2 framework for building the UI.

Installation and Setup

1. Install PySide2:

   • Run the following command to install PySide2 if it’s not already available:

     pip install PySide2

2. Clone the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration repository:

   • Clone the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration repository from GitHub:

     git clone https://github.com/EpicGames/MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration.git

3. Set up the API in Maya:

   • Follow the setup instructions provided in the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration repository to ensure the API is accessible from Maya.

4. Run the Script:

   • Load the provided Python script in Maya’s Script Editor and run it. Use the following function call to open the UI:

     show_dna_converter_in_maya()

Usage

1. Open the UI: In Maya’s Script Editor, execute the function show_dna_converter_in_maya() to launch the application.

2. Load a DNA File:

   • Use the "Browse" button to select a .dna file.

3. Select a DataLayer:

   • Choose one of the available DataLayers from the dropdown:
     • DataLayer_All
     • DataLayer_Behavior
     • DataLayer_Definition
     • DataLayer_Geometry
     • DataLayer_Descriptor
     • DataLayer_AllWithoutBlendShapes

4. Convert and Save as JSON:

   • Click "Convert and Save as JSON" to select the location where you want to save the .json file.

5. Success Notification:

   • Once the file is successfully converted and saved, a success message will appear.

Supported Data Layers

The application supports the following DataLayers from the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration API:

• DataLayer_All: Loads all available data.
• DataLayer_Behavior: Loads only the behavioral (dynamic) data.
• DataLayer_Definition: Loads static data, including joint names, blend shapes, and mappings.
• DataLayer_Geometry: Loads mesh and geometry data.
• DataLayer_Descriptor: Loads basic metadata about the character.
• DataLayer_AllWithoutBlendShapes: Loads everything except blend shapes.

Example Code Snippets

• Loading a DNA File:

  reader = load_dna("path/to/dnafile.dna", DataLayer_All)

• Saving DNA as JSON:

  save_dna_json(reader, "path/to/output.json", DataLayer_All)

Known Issues

• Ensure that the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration API is set up correctly within Maya.
• The application depends on the availability of FileStream, BinaryStreamReader, JSONStreamWriter, and other components provided by the API.

License

This project makes use of the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration API by Epic Games. Please refer to the MetaHuman-DNA-Calibration repository for licensing information and terms of use.