Import Video Reference in Maya in 1 Click (AS_ImageRef Script)

If you animate in Autodesk Maya, you know the struggle. You found the perfect video reference for your shot. You want to import video reference in Maya directly into your scene to start your blocking.

And then, the nightmare begins. You have to create an Image Plane, browse for files, realize Maya doesn't play the .mp4 well, convert it to an image sequence... and worst of all: do the math. "My video starts at frame 130, but my timeline starts at frame 66. What number do I put in the Frame Offset?"

Stop wasting 15 minutes on every setup. I built the ultimate tool to fix this forever: AS_ImageRef.

Why the native Maya Image Plane is slowing you down?

The native tool is powerful, but it is archaic for a modern animation workflow.

1. The Offset Headache: You have to manually calculate when the video starts.

2. Rigidity: Retiming a reference (playing it faster or slower) requires messing with complex expressions in the Frame Extension attribute.

3. Camera Management: You often have to manually connect the image plane to the correct camera (Persp, Render Cam, etc.) in the Outliner.

I developed AS_ImageRef to eliminate friction and let you focus on acting.

AS_ImageRef: The solution to sync your references instantly

This script was designed with one goal: Efficiency.

Whether you use an image sequence (.jpg, .png) or a video file, the tool handles everything for you.

3 Features that will change your life:

1. "Smart Timeline" Sync (No more math)

This is the killer feature. Imagine: your image file is numbered starting at ref_130.jpg. Your Maya timeline starts at frame 66. With a standard Image Plane, you would have to calculate the offset (130 - 66 = 64...).

With AS_ImageRef: The script detects your current framerange. If you are starting on frame 66, it forces the video to start exactly at frame 66. Zero math. It just works.

2. Automatic Camera Detection

No need to dig through the Outliner. The tool detects which camera you are currently looking through in the Viewport and attaches the reference directly to it.

3. Real Animation Curve for Retiming

Instead of using a rigid linear expression, AS_ImageRef creates a real animation curve connected to the image number.

Why is this awesome?

Does your reference feel a bit slow? Select the curve in the Graph Editor and scale it. Want to pause the video on a key pose? Just flatten the curve. You have total control, just like animating a character.

Tutorial: How to import video reference in Maya with the script?

Run it:

Select your ref (Images sequence of video file)

Your video will follow your camera

But you can still move it.

Wanna see it live?

Find it here

On Gumroad

Go further in your Workflow

Once your reference is imported, timing is the next step. If you realize you need to change your scene's framerate (e.g., converting from 24fps to 30fps), don't forget to use my Free Framerate Calculator to adjust your scene without breaking your keys.