Introducing X-Tools 4.0 Beta (Python) and 3.9.8 (MEL) Shareware Edition

New Training Video added.

X-Tools is a powerful Tool Box script that not only allows smooth and fast access to Maya's Interface but also includes tools that are not part of Maya's standard tools.

This Video is a introduction into how X-Tools works and includes a few specific examples.  

 

Find more videos at X-Tools Training Videos

This version is a complete translation into Python.   Since Translating to Python was the focus, there only a few new functions.  This version also focused on Bug Fixes and expanding the popup menu in the NURBS and General Tools sections.  Please see an early version of: X-Tools, What's New and Cool.

The Install script has been greatly improved and now allows you to Drop and Drag or Double Click the Maya Install File.

The Final release of X-Tools 4 will have all the features of version 3.9.8.  The install will also include 3.9.9, (the last MEL version) which will match X-Tools 4 as much as MEL allows.

I will post all fixed errors on the X-Tools Facebook Page.  Look there before posting an error.  Thanks.
For those that can't check the facebook page, I've just fixed the following:

  Selected unmerged vertices and merged to nearest added

  Merge to Nearest debugged, reverse Edge Direction added

  Install script fixed.  It no longer leaves a script node that if the user cancels at the beginning
  Find Function Menu now working
  Insert Loop was broken due a recent upgrade - reverted to older more stable code
  Custom User Shelf now completely functional
     add shelf icon and add shelf tab now functional
  Normal Length Slider doesn't generate an error when dragged.
  Insert Loop Edge now splits single or multiple edges.
  Align to Local and Align to Parent work correctly and don't generate errors.

Want to be part of the X-Tools and be famous?

To Encourage a Shareware Fee of $20US, I will display the name (or Handle) of everyone who donates $20. You will see your name in the X-Tools Fans section of X-Tools 4 - The official release. Go to the X-tools Page and click on the Donate Button. You will be taken to PayPal. Enter the name you wish to appear in the description area. If no description appears, I'll use a First Name/Last Initial combination. Be sure to tell your friends so that they can be fans too.

Click Here to Donate



Training Videos now available online.

Now that X-Tools 4 is almost done.  I will do more videos.

X-Tools Intro  -  X-Tools Install  -  X-Tools What's New.

X-Tool Videos - (Just these for now, but I'll add more later)    

X-Tools Home Page - for Zip and GZIP downloads and complete docs.

Contact Author -  My Thanks for all  previous Feedback, but please contact me through my own website.

X-Tools is Shareware, but I never force the issue.  Please consider donating.
Donate to X-Tools. and become famous!



This version adds a lot of new features.  I'm currently trying to complete my feature list before a planned conversion to Python in version 4.0  Alas there were too many, so I focused on the Polygon Tools and will finish updating the NURB and General Tools in 3.9.8.

Here are some of the New Features:

• Expanded and Updated Find Command function found in the Help Menu.
• Center Selection, (in the Center Pivot pop-up menu) now handles shapes as well as components
• Wireframe can be toggled On or Off during sculpting.
• Sculpt Tool UI has access to all 6 sculpting reference vectors: Normal, View, First Normal, X, Y, and Z. The sculpt symmetry functions correctly mirror the reference vector if needed. Wireframe can be
• Delete Half added to Delete History pop-up menu.
• Extract Half and Duplicate Half added to Extract pop-up menu.
• Delete Unused Shaders added to New Shader pop-up menu.
• Separate on Loop added to Select Loop/edge and Extract pop-up menu.
• Reverse Edge Direction added to Select Loop pop-up menu.
• Merge to Nearest Vertice added to merge pop-up menu.
• Select Hard Edge or Soft Edge added to Component Finder, (formerly Special Comp.).
• Select Edges with faces that have flipped or opposing normals added to Component Finder.
• Poly Crease Function added to Split Loop pop-up menu.

In Addition there a few new additions 3.9.7

• fixed popup menu for split poly tool
• added toggle UI to toggle all UI elements (found under prefs menu)
• rearranged sculpt and select and softmod Popup menus PopUp
• and added command to sync gadget values for radius and max disp.
• added autoset radius to softmod and paint select
• added toggle brush shape while painting button to sculpt overlay
• interactive create shape flags saved in preference for both Polys and Nurbs
• fixed some missing nurb icons or the create NURB shapes option box

A Complete Description of What's New and Cool 

What is X-Tools?

X-Tools is a toolbox script that offer fast access to the most power Maya tools while adding a few features of its own. The real power of X-Tools comes from the buttons which are context sensitive, meaning they do different, (but related) functions in different selection modes. X-Tools 3.9, features a one window interface and buttons that remember the last selected option.

Other New Features adding since 3.9 include:

• The User Shelf now has two tabs
• A General Tool UI
• improved Align to Selection button (2008 or higher)
• One Window Interface - everything has been squeezed into one window.
• Tool Buttons that remember last selected option
• Improved Sculpt Tool Box
• New Shape Primitive Button
• Context Sensitive Combine/Mirror Button
• A Component Finder capable of selecting many types of geometry.

Installation:

Installing X-Tools is simple. X-Tools comes with own Installation file. Just unpack the download to the desktop, start Maya, then open the filed called xtools_installer.ma that's inside the X-Tools install folder. It will do all the necessary installation and ask you to restart Maya at the end.

Bugs:

X-Tools has also gone through some extensive bug testing. This version was tested on all 3 platforms and versions 7.0 to 2009.  This version is pretty solid.  A few of the new functions will not work in Maya version 7.0 - sorry.  The start-up window display is little "off" on Mac or Linux.
 
Future:
This was going to be the last version before converting to Python, but there was so much to do, I need a version 3.9.7.  There might be a 3.9.8 version if anything needs to be fixed.

The focus of 4.0 will be the conversion to Python.

Enjoy and Thanks