Maya error- # Warning: 你的文件贼健康~我就说一声没有别的意思 #

My Maya got a virus after opening some dodgy file the other day and rather un-helpfully uninstalled some of my preferences - Yay!

The Problem:

Maya error- # Warning: 你的文件贼健康~我就说一声没有别的意思 #

The Fix:

1. Install Maya Security tools from here: https://apps.autodesk.com/MAYA/en/Detail/Index?id=8637238041954239715
2. Enable MayaScanner.py & MayaScannerCB.py (Windows>Settings/Preferences>Plug-in manager)
   
   
   
3. Delete vaccine.py, vaccine.pyc from /Documents/maya/scripts
4. Open userScript.py and remove the following lines:

import vaccine
cmds.evalDeferred('leukocyte = vaccine.phage()')
cmds.evalDeferred('leukocyte.occupation()')

And that's it - you should be cured!

Free Soft IK plugin - ToolChefs

A handy new plugin that handles all of the math of the main functions you'd want on an IK limb.

The best thing about this, is that it can be easily swapped out with the conventional IK-solvers on any old rig, as it appears as a drop-down in the IK handle node. Not only that, but the source code is available on github. Sweet.

Some of the in-built attributes are:

• Soft Distance: Distance to translate the IK before the 'softness' kicks in.
• Activate Stretch: Activates the stretch! (Makes things stretchy)
• Mid Joint Slide: Slides the mid joint between the start and end joints.
• Mid Joint Lock: Allows the user to translate all joints.

Read all about it, and download it here:
https://www.toolchefs.com/?portfolio=soft-ik-solver

Thanks Tool Chefs!

Bifrost for Maya

Bifrost for Maya has finally arrived! Complete with an arsenal of nodes, Bifrost will allow you to create a visual programming (nodal-based) approach at building deformers, FX, rig functionality and much much more. Whilst this isn't a completely new methodology to the 3d scene - it is for Maya. It will certainly be interesting to see how it compares to the likes of Houdini.

Check out the announcement video here: https://youtu.be/qZKoDrw_EBA

My gut says that whilst this will provide a powerful new approach for creating FX with Maya, it will not be enough to rival the brute force that Houdini allows the user with its point-based approach, but i'll reserve judgement until I give it a go.

Highlights:

• Ready-to-Use Graphs—Artists can quickly create state-of-the-art effects that meet today’s quality demands.
• One Graph—In a single visual programming graph, users can combine nodes ranging from math operations to simulations.
• Realistic Previews—Artists can see exactly how effects will look after lighting and rendering right in the Arnold Viewport in Maya.
• Detailed Smoke, Fire and Explosions—New physically-based solvers for aerodynamics and combustion make it easy to create natural-looking fire effects.
• The Material Point Method—The new MPM solver helps artists tackle realistic granular, cloth and fiber simulations.
• High-Performance Particle System—A new particle system crafted entirely using visual programming adds power and scalability to particle workflows in Maya.
• Artistic Effects with Volumes—Bifrost comes loaded with nodes that help artists convert between meshes, points and volumes to create artistic effects. 
• Flexible Instancing—High-performance, rendering-friendly instancing empowers users to create enormous complexity in their scenes.
• Detailed Hair, Fur and Fuzz—Artists can now model things consisting of multiple fibers (or strands) procedurally.

 Any version 2018 onwards will be compatible with this new plugin.

Here are some tutorials to get you started:
Bifrost Basics: Part 1
Bifrost Basics: Part 2
Bifrost Basics: Part 3
Make Custom Peak/Push Deformer

All kinds of shennanigans!

Incredible Photoshop plugin - Nezumi (lazy mouse)

Hot diggity dog this one is a game-changer.
Do you ever think to yourself one of these three things:

"Man, I wish I could have lazy mouse in Photoshop just like I do in Zbrush."
"If only Photoshop's brushes were just slightly.. smoother.. more voluptuous.."
"... just one more ctrl+z... need to redraw this line as its not quite perfect yet.."

Well fret no longer! Take a look at this fancy Photoshop plugin https://lazynezumi.com/
It has a 15 day free-trial, and believe me at the end of your trial you'll be throwing your wallet at this goddamn beautiful plugin.

Nezumi essentially takes your line, and makes it lovely. Fortunately, they've included a load of fantastic gifs on their website which I will put right below here so I don't need to arduously type out the description of what this thing does:

 

              Wowaweewa.







And a beautiful array of settings you can choose from.

Not only that but as well as the smoothing function it has a load of awesome, easily editable rulers that you can use to help draw circles/ovals. Go grab this tool. https://lazynezumi.com/