Node Naming
Upper Transform Nodes
The upper transform nodes are added to the top of each element hierarchy for general organization, placement and orientation. Parented surfaces in rigged elements reside under the "_ROT" node, while skinned surfaces and other miscellaneous nodes reside under the "_ALL" node (often beneath a subsequent "_MISC" node).
(elem)_ALL
(elem)_ORT
(elem)_TRS
(elem)_ROT
(elem)_MISC
Node Naming Convention
(element)_(side)_(objectPart)_(type)
xxxx_X_(variableLength)_XXX
(element):
xxxx
The first four lower-case letters of the prefix refer to the element or character. This segment is always present.
Elements: |
|
shad |
Shadow |
tomy |
Tommy |
bark |
Barkley |
cafe |
cafe |
bdrm |
bedroom |
_(side):
_X
The capital letter after the underscore refers to the side of the object or part. This segment can be dropped where irrelevant.
Sides: |
|
L |
left |
R |
right |
C |
center |
F |
front |
B |
back |
Elements with multiple parts (legs, etc...) may use numerical indexing within their "objectPart" field (below).
_(objectPart):
_(variableLength)
A lower-case string segment of variable length, designating the object and any sub-portions. If more than one word is employed, the words are distinguished with capital letters, Maya-style. Numerical indexing may be inserted to distinguish multiples of the same name. This segment is always present, except for within the upper transform nodes.
Examples: |
arm |
chest |
clavicle |
foot |
hand |
head |
leg |
neck |
spine |
table |
tableLeg |
tableTop |
chair1Leg1 |
chair1Leg2 |
_(type):
_XXX
Underscore, three capital letters. The final three letter extension is a general indication of the type of node in question. This segment is always present. Shape nodes are generally allowed to receive Maya's default "Shape" appendage at the end of the geometry extension (ie. "_PLYShape", "_NRBShape"). Set nodes are likewise generally allowed to have the "Set" appendage added (ie. "_CLDSet").
Type: |
|
| BLD |
blendshape deformer |
CLD |
cluster deformer (incl. smooth bind & rigid bind cluster deformers) |
CLH |
cluster handle (incl. rigid bind cluster handles) |
| CLT |
cluster transform |
CON |
control/constraint |
CRV |
curve |
EFF |
end effector |
| EXP |
expression |
| FFD |
freeform deformer |
FLX |
flexor shape |
GRP |
group |
HDL |
IK handle |
IOB |
influence object |
JNT |
joint |
LAB |
lattice base (incl. lattice flexor bases) |
LAD |
lattice deformer (incl. lattice flexor deformers) |
LAG |
lattice group (incl. lattice flexor groups) |
LOC |
locator |
LOW |
low resolution polygon surface |
| NLD |
non-linear deformer |
| NLH |
non-linear deformer handle |
NRB |
NURBS surface |
ORI |
origin |
PLY |
polygon surface |
| SCD |
sculpt deformer (incl. sculpt flexor deformers) |
| SCO |
sculpt object (incl. sculpt flexor objects) |
SCT |
sculpt transform (incl. sculpt flexor transforms) |
SUB |
subdivision surface |
UTL |
utility node |
WIB |
wire base |
WID |
wire deformer |
WIG |
wire group |
Node Naming Examples
shad_R_arm_PLY |
Shadow's right arm polygon surface |
shad_R_arm_NRB |
Shadow's right arm NURBS surface |
shad_R_arm_HDL |
Shadow's right arm IK handle |
shad_L_elbow_CON |
Shadow's left elbow pole vector constraint |
shad_L_hand_CON |
Shadow's left hand point constraint |
shad_belly_2_CLD |
Shadows's second belly cluster deformer |
shad_belly_2_CLH |
Shadow's second belly cluster handle |
| shad_button2_2_CLD |
the second cluster deformer on Shadow's second button |
shad_L_hip_JNT |
Shadow's left hip joint |
shad_R_leg_WID |
Shadow's right leg wire deformer |
shad_R_leg_WIB |
Shadow's right leg wire base |
shad_R_leg_WIG |
Shadow's right leg wire group |
|
|
cafe_counter_GRP |
cafe counter group |
cafe_counterTop_PLY |
cafe counter top polygon surface |
bdrm_table1Leg1_PLY |
bedroom table #1 leg #1 polygon surface |
bdrm_table1Leg2_PLY |
bedroom table #1 leg #2 polygon surface |
barb_L_wall_PLY |
barber shop left wall polygon surface |
barb_L_wall_LOW |
barber shop left wall low resolution polygon surface |
Skin Node Renaming Example
For 1 surface and 2 selected joints:
tomy_L_arm_PLY
tomy_L_shoulder_JNT
tomy_L_elbow_JNT
The default "Smooth Bind" operation produces:
skinCluster1 (cluster node)
skinCluster1Set (set node)
bindPose1 (bind pose node)
which can be named properly DURING smooth skin creation. This command...
skinCluster -tsb -ih -mi 3 -omi true -dr 4 -rui true -n tomy_L_arm_CLD;
...will produce:
tomy_L_arm_CLD (cluster node)
tomy_L_arm_CLDSet (set node)
bindPose1 (bind pose node)
The default "Rigid Bind" operation produces:
tomy_L_shoulder_JNTCluster1 (cluster node)
bindSkinCluster1 (cluster handle node)
tomy_L_shoulder_JNTSet1 (set node)
tomy_L_elbow_JNTCluster1 (cluster node)
bindSkinCluster2 (cluster handle node)
tomy_L_elbow_JNTSet1 (set node)
bindPose1 (bind pose node)
which must be named properly AFTER rigid skin creation, using our naming convention:
rename tomy_L_shoulder_JNTCluster1 tomy_L_shoulder_CLD; //cluster node
rename bindSkinCluster1 tomy_L_shoulder_CLH; //cluster handle node
rename tomy_L_shoulder_JNTSet1 tomy_L_shoulder_CLDSet; //set node
rename tomy_L_elbow_JNTCluster1 tomy_L_elbow_CLD; //cluster node
rename bindSkinCluster2 tomy_L_elbow_CLH; //cluster handle node
rename tomy_L_elbow_JNTSet1 tomy_L_elbow_CLDSet; //set node
This can be scripted for robustness & flexibility (esp. where finding and renaming the "bindSkinCluster" nodes is concerned).
Node Organization Example
cafe_ALL
cafe_ORT
cafe_TRS
cafe_ROT
cafe_F_wall_PLY
cafe_B_wall_PLY
cafe_table1_GRP
cafe_table1Leg1_PLY
cafe_table1Leg2_PLY
cafe_table2_GRP
cafe_table2Leg1_PLY
cafe_MISC
cafe_hires_model_dogTag
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