A tool to work with vertex color and vertex alpha in Maya
Assets in Toca Boca Days generally utilize vertex colors over textures wherever possible, often using the alpha channel as a mask for different effects. The native way to work with vertex colors in Maya wasn't optimal for the artists, so I created a few scripts to help them, which eventually evolved into 2 little tools.
Vertex Color Tool
Vertex color tool showcase
- Probably the biggest annoyance when working with vertex colors was that you could only sample colors from vertices, so my script lets you sample the color from ANY selection type.
- What if there are multiple colors in the selection? Choose which one you intended to pick from a popup!
- Set color without affecting alpha
- Set color with a "strength" value - like using a brush with opacity in most art programs. Nice way to blend colors or slightly tweak them!
- Copy-pastable hex code to easier copy colors (especially between Unity and Maya!)
- Disable input fields - does what it says, preventing the tool from stealing focus if a button press would make you start typing
- Option to get the color from mayas "Apply Color Options" window
Vertex Alpha Tool
Vertex alpha tool showcase
- Edit alpha without affecting colors
- Set alpha of selection choosing a value via an input field or slider, plus predefined buttons to set common values
- Add or remove alpha in small increments