Zoo Tools Pro 2.5.3 has been released.
This version features a big update to Motion Path Rig previously named Animate Along Curve. This tool now builds and rebuilds dynamically and new features have been added.
Replace Shapes has some bug fixes and new features added to help match objects correctly.
Our trigger backend has had an upgrade ready for our upcoming autorigger, Spline Rig right-click marking menus now create easily, right-clicks anywhere in the viewport.
Many of our help pages have added documentation. Most tools are now fully documented.
We’ve added new video overviews for new and existing tools and we now have a new Tool/Features Youtube Playlist .
And many small bug fixes.
Tool Upgrade – Motion Path Rig:
Motion Path Rig (previously named Animate Along Path has been upgraded.
– UI now dynamically updates the selected rigs.
– Up Vector Control can built built and unbuilt.
– Rotation Follow is now optional
– Selected rigs can be switched to different curves.
– World Up Vector Option can be controlled in the Advanced Mode
– Can delete and rebuild in the UI
– Path slider for controlling distance in the UI, can be keyed.
Tool Upgrade – Replace Shapes:
Replace shapes has had upgrade and bug fixes.
– Entering the object in the textbox works correctly.
– Unfreeze to fix object matching works in more scenarios.
– Added Uninstance Selected button.
– Added Unfreeze Button button, (see help ).
– Added Match Pivot Space button, (see help ).
Right-Click Marking Menus: Spline Rig
We’ve upgraded the trigger code from Zoo to better handle right click menus. Right-click on Spline Rig has been improved, you can now click anywhere in the viewport with a Spline Rig control selected.
Hotkey: S Hotkey Change
Hitting s with the Zoo Hotkeys will key channel box selected if channels are selected. Use shift s to force key all attributes.
Hotkey: Make Hold (Alt A)
Make Hold (also in Animation and Graph Editor Toolboxes) now sets to auto tangents rather than flat tangents.
Bugfix: Spline Rig
Rebuilding the rig with four controls no longer breaks.
Bugfix: Installer
Installer does not error if upgrading from very old beta versions of Zoo Tools Pro 2.
Video Overviews
New video overviews have been created for:
– Shader Presets
– NCloth Wrinkle Creator
– HDRI Skydomes
– Zoo Renamer
– Light Presets
– Replace Shapes
– Color Overrides
– Model Assets
Full Tool Documentation
Full tool documentation has been added for most tools on the Help Page .
Zoo Tools Pro 2.5.2 (8th June 2021)
Download The Zoo 2.5.2 Installer (Maya 2017-2022)
This version features three new tools Animate Along Curve , Replace Shapes , Render Object Display , and large upgrades to our Installer and Preferences management.
Modeling Align has a new function Place Objects on surface, where multiple object’s can be snapped to a single piece of geometry.
There’s a new Getting Started Page and popup window will help you get up and running with Zoo Tools Pro.
And we’ve fixed numerous bugs.
New Tool – Animate Along Curve:
Animate Along Curve instantly builds motion path rigs for animating objects along curves; this is a very handy rigging tool for animators.
New Tool – Replace Shapes:
Replace Shapes allows you to replace many objects with another object with instancing and keep-shader options. The tool allows you to instantly upgrade geometry on repeating objects such as leaves, tiles, grass, rocks, bricks, buttons, rivets etc. You can also replace any shape node type, so it’s compatible with all object types such as curves, cameras, locators, lights ect.
New Tool – Render Object Display:
Render Object Display is a simple tool for changing object render settings on multiple objects. Toggle the Render Stats attribute settings like Cast Shadows, Primary Visibility, Double Sided, Visibile In Reflections and more, across many objects.
Enhancement: Installer Upgrade:
We’ve further enhanced our Drap And Drop Installer making it even easier to install Zoo into common Maya locations. You can now change the Zoo Preferences Folder location in the install. We’ve added a new Getting Started page and popup window after the install completes for getting up and running in Zoo Tools Pro.
Enhancement: Moving Zoo Preferences folder
We’ve made it easier to move the Zoo Preferences Folder or to change it to be in a new location at any time. Find this setting under Zoo Preferences Window > General.
Bug Fix: Maya Shaders Crash
The Maya Shaders UI should no longer crash while opening.
Bug Fix: Controls on Curve
Controls On Curve now builds correctly with custom names.
Bug Fix: SubD Smooth Control
SubD Smooth Control can be set to higher values than 4.
Bug Fix: Randomize Keyframes
Randomize Keyframes fixes an issue where multiple-curve-selection and a slider-adjust would cause all curves to have identical values. Alt-clicking the Plus and Minus icons also now resets correctly.
Pipeline Conflict Fix: Unicode Environment Variables
We’ve fixed a minor pipeline compatibility issue related to unicode environment variables and their compatibility with proprietary tools.
