Introduction to SavePlus

SavePlus is a comprehensive file management and versioning tool designed specifically for Maya artists. Developed to address the common challenges of file versioning, backup management, and consistent naming conventions, SavePlus streamlines your workflow and helps prevent data loss.

Building upon the original MEL script by Neal Singleton, the SavePlus Team has created a modern Python-based tool with an intuitive interface that integrates seamlessly with Maya 2025.

Installation

System Requirements

• Maya 2025
• Windows, macOS, or Linux operating system

Installation Methods

Method 1: Quick Install (Recommended) Updated in v1.2.2

1. Download the SavePlus ZIP package from the download page
2. Extract the contents to a temporary location
3. Launch Maya 2025
4. Drag and drop the install_saveplus.mel file into Maya's viewport
5. When prompted, click "Install" to create a shelf button
6. A confirmation message will appear when installation is complete

Method 2: Manual Installation

1. Download the SavePlus ZIP package from the download page
2. Extract the following files:
   • __init__.py
   • savePlus_core.py
   • savePlus_ui_components.py
   • savePlus_main.py
   • savePlus_launcher.py
   • saveplus.png (icon file)
3. Copy the Python files to your Maya scripts directory:
   • Windows: C:/Users/[username]/Documents/maya/scripts
   • macOS: /Users/[username]/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/scripts
   • Linux: /home/[username]/maya/scripts
4. Copy the icon file to your Maya icons directory:
   • Windows: C:/Users/[username]/Documents/maya/prefs/icons
   • macOS: /Users/[username]/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/prefs/icons
   • Linux: /home/[username]/maya/prefs/icons
5. Launch Maya and run the following Python code in the Script Editor to create a shelf button:

   import savePlus_launcher
   savePlus_launcher.install_shelf_button()

Verifying Installation

To verify that SavePlus has been installed correctly:

1. Look for the SavePlus button on your Maya shelf (it should display the SavePlus icon)
2. Click the button to launch the SavePlus interface
3. If the interface loads without errors, the installation was successful

Getting Started

Launching SavePlus

There are several ways to launch SavePlus in Maya:

• Shelf Button: Click the SavePlus button on your Maya shelf (recommended)
• Python Command: Run the following command in the Script Editor:

  import savePlus_launcher
  savePlus_launcher.launch_save_plus()

• Custom Hotkey: Assign a hotkey to the Python command above for rapid access

Interface Overview

The SavePlus interface is organized into three main tabs:

1. SavePlus Tab

The primary tab contains all essential saving functionality:

• Save Buttons: Quick access to SavePlus, Save As New, and Create Backup functions
• Last Save Indicator: Visual indicator showing time since last save
• File Options: Controls for filename, save location, and file type
• Name Generator: Tools to create standardized filenames
• Quick Notes: Add contextual notes to saves
• Log Output: View detailed information about save operations

2. History Tab

Provides access to file history and version tracking:

• Recent Files: List of recently saved files
• Version History: Detailed history of versions for the current file

3. Preferences Tab

Configure SavePlus settings:

• General Settings: Default file type and auto-save interval
• Path Settings: Default save locations and project directories
• UI Settings: Interface display preferences

Save Plus

The core function of SavePlus is intelligent file versioning, which allows you to increment your saves automatically while maintaining file naming patterns.

How It Works

When you click the "Save Plus" button or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+S), SavePlus will:

1. Analyze your current filename to identify numbering patterns
2. Intelligently increment the version number
3. Preserve project identifiers, artist names, and other important parts of the filename
4. Save the file with the new incremented name
5. Add the new version to the version history

Versioning Logic

SavePlus uses sophisticated pattern recognition to handle various filename formats:

Project Identifier Recognition

SavePlus has specialized handling for common project identifier patterns:

• Class Assignments: Recognizes patterns like "A01_" (assignment letter + number)
• Production Jobs: Recognizes patterns like "J02_" (job identifier)
• Studio Conventions: Preserves naming standards specific to studio pipelines

Version Preview

Before saving, SavePlus shows a preview of what the next version filename will be, allowing you to verify the naming pattern is being correctly recognized.

Save As New

The "Save As New" function allows you to save your file with a completely new name or in a new location without incrementing the version number.

When to Use Save As New

• Starting a new branch of work
• Creating a copy with a different name
• Changing the file location
• Saving to a reference directory

File Conflict Handling

If a file with the same name already exists, SavePlus gives you three options:

• Overwrite: Replace the existing file
• Use New Name: Automatically add a suffix to create a unique filename
• Cancel: Abort the save operation

Automatic Backups

SavePlus includes a robust auto-backup system to protect your work and provide recovery options.

Creating Backups

Backups can be created in two ways:

• Manual Backups: Click the "Create Backup" button or use Ctrl+B to create an immediate backup
• Automatic Backups: Enable timed auto-backups in the Preferences tab

Backup Naming Convention

Backup files follow this naming pattern:

[original_filename]_backup_[YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS].[extension]

For example: character_v001_backup_20250329_143015.ma

Configuring Auto-Backups

To configure automatic backups:

1. Go to the Preferences tab
2. Check "Enable auto-backup"
3. Set the backup interval (in minutes)
4. Click "Apply Settings"

Version History

SavePlus keeps track of all your saved versions, allowing you to review, access, and restore previous iterations of your work.

Accessing Version History

To view your version history:

1. Open the SavePlus tool
2. Click the "History" tab
3. The top section shows recent files across all projects
4. The bottom section shows versions of the currently open file

Version Notes

You can add notes to each version to document changes:

1. Enable "Add version notes when saving" in the File Options section
2. Add a "Quick Note" before saving, or
3. When you save, a notes dialog will appear allowing you to document your changes

Opening Previous Versions

To open a previous version:

1. Select the version from either the Recent Files list or Version History table
2. Click "Open Selected"

Exporting Version History

You can export your version history to a text file for documentation or review:

1. In the History tab, click "Export History"
2. Choose a location to save the text file
3. The exported file contains comprehensive information about all version groups

Name Generator

The Name Generator helps maintain consistent file naming across projects and teams by providing a structured way to create standardized filenames.

Using the Name Generator

To generate a standardized filename:

1. Expand the "Name Generator" section in the SavePlus tab
2. Fill in the required fields:
   • Assignment: Select a letter and number for project identification
   • Last Name: Artist's last name
   • First Name: Artist's first name
   • Stage: Select the pipeline stage from the dropdown
   • Status: Select "wip" (work in progress) or "final"
   • Version: Set the version number
3. Click "Generate Filename"
4. The generated filename will appear in the preview and be applied to the main filename field

Pipeline Stages

SavePlus includes predefined pipeline stages common in animation and VFX workflows:

• Layout: Camera angles, character placement, and shot timing
• Planning: Performance planning using reference footage
• Blocking: Key storytelling poses with rough timing
• Blocking Plus: Refined timing, spacing, and arcs
• Spline: Cleaned interpolation and spacing
• Polish: Final animation details and refinements
• Lighting: Establishing mood and render look
• Final: Shot approved and ready for delivery

Filename Structure

Generated filenames follow this convention:

[Assignment][Number]_[LastName]_[FirstName]_[Stage]_[Status]_[Version]

For example: A01_Smith_John_blocking_wip_01

Save Reminders

SavePlus includes a customizable reminder system to help establish good saving habits and prevent work loss due to forgetting to save.

Configuring Save Reminders

To enable and configure save reminders:

1. In the File Options section, check "Enable save reminder every"
2. Set the reminder interval (in minutes)

How Reminders Work

Once enabled, SavePlus will:

• Monitor the time since your last save
• Display a visual indicator that changes color as time passes:
  • Green: Recently saved
  • Yellow: Getting close to reminder time
  • Red: Past the reminder interval
• Display a reminder dialog when the specified interval has passed

Reminder Dialog Options

When the reminder dialog appears, you have several options:

• Save Now: Opens a follow-up dialog with options to:
  • Save Plus (increment the version)
  • Save As New (create a new file)
  • Cancel (don't save)
• Remind Me Later: Dismisses the dialog and reminds you again in 2 minutes

Preferences

SavePlus offers extensive customization options to tailor the tool to your specific workflow needs.

Accessing Preferences

To access the preferences:

1. Open the SavePlus tool
2. Click the "Preferences" tab

General Settings

• Default File Type: Choose between Maya ASCII (.ma) and Maya Binary (.mb)
• Auto-save Interval: Set the time between save reminders (1-60 minutes)
• Auto-backup: Enable/disable automatic backups
• Backup Interval: Set the time between automatic backups (5-120 minutes)

File Options

These settings control how files are named and where they are saved.

Default Save Location

Set a default directory for saving files. This location will be used when:

• No specific path is specified
• "Use current directory" is unchecked

Project Directory

Define your Maya project directory for more organized file management. This is particularly useful for:

• Studios with established project structures
• Maintaining consistent file organization across multiple artists

Version Notes

Enable or disable the version notes feature, which allows you to document changes with each save.

Path Settings

SavePlus provides several ways to manage file paths for greater flexibility.

Using Current Directory

When "Use current directory" is checked, SavePlus will save files in the same directory as the currently open file. This is useful for continuing work on existing files.

Custom Directory Selection

To select a custom save location:

1. Click the "Browse" button in the File Options section
2. Navigate to your desired directory
3. Select the directory and click "Open"

Reference Path

The "Reference" button allows you to extract a path from a referenced file in your scene:

1. Select a referenced object in your Maya scene
2. Click the "Reference" button
3. SavePlus will extract the directory from the reference file
4. You'll be asked if you want to incorporate the reference name into your filename

UI Settings

Customize the SavePlus interface to match your workflow preferences.

Default Section Expansion

Choose which sections of the SavePlus interface are expanded by default:

• File Options section expanded by default
• Name Generator section expanded by default
• Log Output section expanded by default

Log to Script Editor

Enable or disable logging to Maya's Script Editor in addition to the SavePlus log window.

Applying UI Settings

After making changes to your preferences:

1. Click the "Apply Settings" button at the bottom of the Preferences tab
2. Your settings will be saved and applied immediately

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: How does SavePlus differ from Maya's built-in increment save?

A: SavePlus offers more intelligent versioning that preserves naming patterns, adds version history tracking with notes, provides automatic backups, save reminders, and a name generator for consistent naming conventions.

Q: Can I use SavePlus with other Autodesk software?

A: SavePlus is specifically designed for Maya 2025. While the core concepts could work in other applications, the current implementation is Maya-specific.

Q: Will SavePlus work with network drives?

A: Yes, SavePlus works with network drives, local drives, and removable media. It uses platform-independent path handling to ensure compatibility across different storage types.

Technical Questions

Q: Where is the version history stored?

A: Version history is stored in a JSON file in your Maya user directory. This means history persists between Maya sessions and is user-specific.

Q: Can I share version history with other team members?

A: The version history is stored per-user, but you can export the history to a text file and share that document with team members for reference.

Q: Does SavePlus work with Maya projects?

A: Yes, SavePlus is fully compatible with Maya's project structure and can be configured to use project-specific paths.

Workflow Questions

Q: What keyboard shortcuts can I use with SavePlus?

A: SavePlus includes several built-in shortcuts:

• Ctrl+S: Save Plus (increment save)
• Ctrl+Shift+S: Save As New
• Ctrl+B: Create Backup

Q: Can I disable the save reminders?

A: Yes, you can toggle the save reminders on/off in the File Options section. You can also permanently disable them via the checkbox in the reminder dialog.

Q: How many backups should I keep?

A: SavePlus does not automatically delete backups, allowing you to keep as many as you need. As a best practice, we recommend regular cleanup of older backups to manage disk space, while keeping key milestone versions.

Common Issues

Installation Problems

Issue: SavePlus doesn't appear on the shelf after installation Improved in v1.2.1

Solution: With version 1.2.1's improved icon handling, this issue should be less common. If you still encounter it, try manually running the MEL installer by entering this in the Script Editor:

source "install_saveplus.mel";

Issue: "Cannot find procedure" error when running the installer

Solution: Make sure you've extracted all files from the ZIP package and that the MEL file is accessible to Maya. Try specifying the full path to the file:

source "C:/path/to/install_saveplus.mel";

Issue: Import errors when launching SavePlus

Solution: Ensure all SavePlus files are in your Maya scripts directory. If issues persist, try reinstalling using the quick install method.

Saving Issues

Issue: SavePlus isn't incrementing filenames as expected

Solution: Check the version preview before saving to see how SavePlus is interpreting your filename. For complex naming patterns, consider using the Name Generator for more predictable results.

Issue: "File must be saved before using SavePlus" error

Solution: For first-time saves, either:

• Use "Save As New" to specify a filename and location, or
• Enter a filename in the filename field before using Save Plus

Performance and Behavior

Issue: Save reminders not appearing

Solution: Verify that:

• "Enable save reminder every" is checked
• A reasonable time interval is set
• SavePlus is still running (check if the UI is open)

Issue: Version history not updating

Solution: Click the "Refresh" button in the History tab. If history still doesn't appear, check if your user directory is write-protected.

Getting Support

Documentation Resources

Before contacting support, please check these resources:

• This documentation page
• The FAQ section
• The Common Issues section

Community Support

Join the SavePlus community for peer support:

• GitHub Discussions - Ask questions and share tips
• Discord Community - Chat with other SavePlus users

Reporting Issues

If you encounter a bug or want to request a feature:

1. Visit the GitHub Issues page
2. Check if your issue has already been reported
3. If not, create a new issue with as much detail as possible:
   • SavePlus version
   • Maya version
   • Operating system
   • Steps to reproduce the issue
   • Expected vs. actual behavior
   • Screenshots or error messages if applicable

Direct Support

For urgent issues or personalized assistance:

• Email: support@saveplus.example.com
• Response time: Typically within 1-2 business days