Success Checklist

Ziva Tutorials | 

Getting Started

Preliminary: Workstation Check

Please ensure your workstation meets the following software and hardware requirements before attempting to launch Ziva VFX. Ziva VFX requirements are as follows:

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® 10, version 1809 or higher.
Microsoft® Windows® 11
Linux CentOS 7.6-7.9 operating system
Maya  2019, 2020, 2022, 2023

Hardware
CPU:
64-bit Intel® or AMD®
RAM: 8 GB of RAM (16 GB or more recommended)
Disk Space: 7 GB of free disk space for install

Basics: Getting Started & Setup

❏    Join the Ziva Community – Our team is available 24/7 for online support and feedback.

❏    Install Ziva VFX & your new license – We've made it easy with step-by-step tutorial videos. Review our FAQs for setup assistance, if needed.

    Browse the Ziva VFX Documentation – It is full of beginner tutorial content and detailed setup information.

❏    Complete your studio integration with the your custom Ziva VFX Access URL, providing the most up to date data in JSON format for simple updating scripting.



Focus: Practice & Skill Building

    Practice on a Demo Scene – Ziva Tools menu comes loaded with built-in practice scenes. You can see the complete sequence of MEL commands used to make each demo. 

    Download a Free Ziva Asset Once you know the basics, start simming on a free, pre-made Ziva asset. The Ziva Free Store is full of complimentary characters and files to help you succeed.

    Follow the video tutorials – Learn faster with topic-specific tutorials lead by Ziva TD Andy van Straten. Each video features the free asset, Mr. Ink, so you can follow along with ease.

    Refer to the “Simulation Topics – Check out the Ziva VFX Documentation manual for a more detailed description of each topic and multiple.


Build: Creating, Sharing, Evolving

    Start building your own simple character! Remember to treat what you are solving as real physical objects.

    Share your progress on the Ziva Community – Get real-time feedback and inspiration from Ziva TDs and fellow creators.

    Download free animations – Check out the Ziva Free Store for complimentary animation files and more.

    Browse the production-ready assets – If you're looking boost your production even more, you can skip the building and go straight to animation with Ziva's simulation-ready characters.


Success: Making the Most

    Optimize your Simulation Performance – Check the performance tuning task sheet in the Ziva Docs to find new ways to improve your simulation speeds and build clean sims.

    Improve your pipeline with zBuilder – This is a set of open-source python tools for manipulating Ziva VFX scenes.

    Join the ZIVA VFX Referral Program – Earn a free 1-year ZIVA VFX Indie License or Academic License when you successfully bring Ziva to your workplace or qualified educational institution.

March 18, 2018

Hello. I have been lurking on the forum for a while now. Reading every thing I can while laying out my muscle geometry. I would like to download the 60 day trial and see how far I can get with it. But before I download the trial, I am trying to get the muscles laid out properly. I have been trying to think about how I will attach the muscles in Ziva while sculpting. But I am not sure if I am doing things properly. It feels like my muscles are filling up to much of the characters volume...

June 23, 0108

Hi @andy_vs ! Im student and learning rigging... you said script can be written for the blendshape attachment!...and im new to python...so if you could share some basic script on that, it would be very helpfull and i can learn my way up from that! Thank You..and if your not able to that okey!