Maya raycast node that will return the closest intersection on an array of type mesh and nurbsSurface and return the closest intersection as a matrix. When useDistance is enabled the output matrix will be positioned at the closest intersection. When useNormal is enabled the normal at the closest intersection is used to calculate the rotation, the inputMatrix is used to determine the forward and side axis.

• Extract the content of the .rar file anywhere on disk.
• Build the plugin for a specific Maya version.
• Drag the raycast.mel file in Maya to permanently install the script.

Building the plugin using cmake will place the plugin in the plug-ins folder with a maya version divider. This will ensure the plug-in is compatible with the launched version of Maya.

1. Open Terminal

cd <PATH_TO_MODULE>
mkdir build/<MAYA_VERSION>
cd build/<MAYA_VERSION>
cmake -A x64 -T v141 -DMAYA_VERSION=<MAYA_VERSION> ../../
cmake --build . --target install --config Release

Once the plug-in is build and loaded a new raycast node can be created. A matrix is required to drive the inputMatrix, in respect to that matrix the raycast can be performed along one of its axis, this axis is positive. The reverse attribute can be used reverse the ray. When bidirectional is used both directions will be queried regardless of the reverse state.

The inputMesh and inputSurface attributes are arrays and such can contain more than one connection, it is also fine to mix meshes and surfaces. All these inputs will be tested, and the closest intersection returned.

Using envelope, will allow the outputMatrix to be blended to the original inputMatrix, useDistance and useNormal have the same effect but work only the translation or rotation component.

The hit attribute is a boolean attribute that indicates if an intersection has been performed successfully. The hitDistance will be a float value of the distance, this is set to -1 if no intersection has been performed successfully.