Animation Preroll Generator v2.0

Description

The Animation Preroll Generator v2.0 is a script for Autodesk Maya that creates animation prerolls. It inserts reset keyframes at an initial frame and connects to the starting pose of your animation. It’s useful for animation, cfx, simulation...

Key Features

• Creates reset keyframes for neutral poses.
• Copies the initial pose to the end of the preroll.
• Shifts the existing animation to include the preroll.
• Resets rotations on joints and transformations on controls.
• Automatically detects the animation range.
• Supports negative frames for prerolls before frame 1.

Installation and Usage Instructions

Installation:

• Place animation_preroll_generator.py in:
  • Windows: Documents/maya/scripts/
  • macOS: ~/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/scripts/
  • Linux: ~/maya/scripts/
• Restart Maya or run:

  import maya.cmds as cmds
  cmds.rehash()
  

Usage:

• Open your scene in Maya.
• Run:

  import animation_preroll_generator
  animation_preroll_generator.show_animation_preroll_generator()
  

• Select joints or controls.
• Set Start Frame (e.g., -60) and End Frame (e.g., 1).
• Click GENERATE PREROLL.

Notes:

• Save your scene before running the script.
• Use Ctrl+Z to undo if needed.

Target Audience

• Animators working with transitions from neutral poses.
• Riggers and TDs in animation pipelines for games or film.
• CFX artists working in simulation (cloth, hair...).
• Intermediate or advanced 3D artists using Maya.

Technical Details

• Requirements: Maya 2018 or higher, Python 2.7 or 3.x.
• Dependencies: maya.cmds, functools.
• Limitations: Does not handle complex constraints or locked attributes.
• Support: Contact me for bugs or suggestions.
• License: Free for personal and commercial projects.