MarmosetLink

A universal bridge for integrating Autodesk Maya and Marmoset Toolbag. Enables FBX export and automated baking in a single click.

Installation

1. Marmoset Toolbag (General Setup)

1. In Marmoset Toolbag, go to Edit -> Plugins -> Show User Plugin Folder.
2. Copy marmoset_scripts/mset_external_listener.py to this folder.
3. In Marmoset, select Edit -> Plugins -> Refresh.
4. Find mset_external_listener in Edit -> Plugins and activate it (ensure the checkbox is checked).
   • The plugin is now listening for commands from any 3D DCC.

2. Autodesk Maya

1. Copy the maya_mset_integration folder to your Maya scripts directory (e.g., C:\Users\user\Documents\maya\2025\scripts).

Quick Shelf Installation

To automatically create a dedicated Marmoset shelf with all tools:

1. Locate maya_mset_integration/install_shelf.mel.
2. Drag & Drop the file into the Maya viewport.
3. A new Marmoset shelf will be created with 4 buttons (HP, LP, Bake, Reload).

Configuration

To configure export paths, the Marmoset window title, and mesh parameters (Unlock Normals, Freeze Normals, Triangulate), use the GUI.

Via Shelf (Recommended)

On the Marmoset shelf, Right-Click the HP or LP buttons and select Settings.

Via Script

import importlib
import maya_mset_integration.maya_mset_settings_gui as mset_gui
importlib.reload(mset_gui) 
mset_gui.main()

Usage

Shelf Commands

Primary Actions (Left-Click)

• HP: Export High Poly mesh and trigger bake in Marmoset.
• LP: Process geometry (triangulation, normals), export Low Poly, and trigger bake.
• Bake: Re-trigger baking in Marmoset without re-exporting.
• Reload: Force refresh textures in Maya viewport.

Additional Options (Right-Click)

• Open in Explorer: Opens the export folder and selects the file.
• Export Only: Exports the mesh (with LP processing) without triggering Marmoset.
• Settings: Open the configuration dialog.

How It Works (Linking Technical Details)

The integration uses a file-based Inter-Process Communication (IPC) mechanism to bypass application isolation.

1. Trigger: When you click a button in Maya, the script writes a small JSON file named mset_bake_trigger.json to the user's home directory.
2. Focus: Since Marmoset Toolbag only processes Python commands when it has window focus, the Maya script uses the Win32 API (SetForegroundWindow) to briefly bring the Marmoset window to the foreground.
3. Listener: Inside Marmoset, the mset_external_listener.py script runs a persistent callback (onPeriodicUpdate). It polls for the existence of the trigger file.
4. Execution: Once detected, the listener reads the command (e.g., "rebake"), deletes the trigger file, and executes the corresponding Marmoset API calls (e.g., baker.bake()).
5. Reporting: After the operation, Marmoset writes a mset_bake_report.json. Maya polls for this report to show a success notification or error message directly in the viewport (In-View Message).

Troubleshooting

• If Marmoset is unresponsive, ensure mset_external_listener.py is active in the Plugins menu.
• If buttons fail after an update, reinstall the shelf by dragging install_shelf.mel again.
• Check the Maya Script Editor and Marmoset Console for error logs.

Roadmap

• Render Trigger: Automated rendering from Maya/ZBrush.
• ZBrush Integration: SubTool export and scene updates.
• Other DCC Support: Integration for Blender, Cinema 4D, and 3ds Max.