=======Asymmetric Bridge=======

**Asymmetric Bridge** is a data transfer and caching system for creation of effective studio pipeline.

It was originally developed as an inhouse tool of the [[http://a-vfx.ru/en|Asymmetric VFX]] studio and is now developed/maintained by the [[http://rendering.ru|R&D Group]].

=====Software versions=====

  * Maya: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  * Houdini: 11.1, 12.1
  * Softimage: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  * 3ds max: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  * Cinema 4D: R13 (in development)
  * Nuke: 6.x (in development)  

  * Windows: 32/64 bit
  * Mac OS X: 64 bit (Maya 2010 32 bit)
  * Linux: 64 bit

===== Import / Export Features =====

=== Features List ===

  * **Maya**:
    * //Import / Export//: Polygon mesh (UV), Polygon mesh animation, NURBS, Transforms, Visibility, Camera
  * **Softimage**:
    * //Import / Export//: Polygon mesh (UV), Polygon mesh animation, NURBS, Transforms, Visibility, Camera
  * **Houdini**:
    * //Import//: Polygon mesh (UV), Polygon mesh animation, Visibility, Camera (.chan)
  * **3ds max**:
    * //Import / Export//: Polygon mesh (UV), Polygon mesh animation, Camera
  * **Cinema 4D**:
    * //Import//: Polygon mesh, Polygon mesh animation
  * **Nuke**:
    * //Import//: Polygon mesh (UV), Polygon mesh animation, Camera (.chan)

=== Features Table ===
<code>
           Polygon mesh  |  UV  | Polygon mesh animation | NURBS | Transforms | Visibility | Camera
Maya           I/E         I/E            I/E               I/E       I/E          I/E         I/E
Softimage      I/E         I/E            I/E                -        I/E          I/E         I/E
Houdini         I           I              I                 -         -            I           I
3ds max        I/E         I/E            I/E                -         -            -          I/E
Cinema 4D       I           -              I                 -         -            -           -
Nuke            I           I              I                 -         -            -           I
</code>
Legend: "I" - Import; "E" - Export; "-" - not implemented; "d" - in development
====== Registration ======

[[en:cerber-protection|Product Registration Manual]]

====== Manual ======

===== General =====

  * Export is based on selection, so you need to select items you want to export

===== Maya =====

==== Maya Menu Setup ====

Enable **BridgeMenu** plugin to see the menu or add //bridgeImportUI()// and //bridgeExportUI()// function calls to your own menus.

==== Maya Export ====

 {{:asymmetric-bridge:bridge_maya_export.png?nolink| Maya export}}
==== Maya Import ====

 {{:asymmetric-bridge:bridge_maya_import.png?nolink| Maya import}}

===== Houdini =====

==== Houdini Shelf Setup ====

Extract scripts to the desired location and create a new shelf item. Use this as an example of //Script// value of a shelf item:

<code>
import os
import sys

bridgeToolsPath = os.path.expanduser("/path/to/bridge/houdini/scripts")
if bridgeToolsPath not in sys.path:
    sys.path.append(bridgeToolsPath)

# Native Houdini UI
import bridgeImportUI
bridgeImportUI.BridgeUI()
</code>

Note that when using native UI you must select import folder without double-clicking, just mark it as selected like this:

{{ :asymmetric-bridge:bridge_houdini_native_ui_selection.png?400 | Houdini native UI selection }}

If you want to use PyQt UI change import to this:
<code>
# PyQt UI
import bridgeImportQtUI
bridgeImportQtUI.BridgeUI()
</code>

{{ :asymmetric-bridge:bridge_houdini_pyqt.png | Using PyQt UI}}
==== Houdini Import ====

 {{:asymmetric-bridge:bridge_houdini_import.png?nolink| houdini import}}

===== Softimage =====

==== Softimage Export ====

==== Softimage Import ====

 {{:asymmetric-bridge:bridge_xsi_import.png?nolink| softimage import}}
===== 3ds max =====

==== 3ds max Setup ====

  * Install macroscripts and add menu items to the desired location.
  * Make sure to select Top view before import.

==== 3ds max Import ====

===== Cinema 4D (in development) =====

==== Cinema 4D Import ====

===== Nuke =====

==== Nuke Import ====

 {{:asymmetric-bridge:bridge_nuke.png?nolink| nuke import}}