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 Asymmetric VFX studio and is now developed/maintained by the R&D Group.

• 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

Plugins:

• Windows (3ds max, Softimage, Maya, Houdini)
• Linux (Maya, Houdini)
• Mac OS X (Maya, Houdini)

• 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)

           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

Legend: “I” - Import; “E” - Export; “-” - not implemented; “d” - in development

Product Registration Manual

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

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

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

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()

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

If you want to use PyQt UI change import to this:

# PyQt UI
import bridgeImportQtUI
bridgeImportQtUI.BridgeUI()

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