To delete a ShaderFX group in Maya, you need to locate the saved group file in your working directory and delete it directly from there.
When you save a ShaderFX group, the ShaderFX editor indicates the location in your working directory where the group is saved. You can delete the group by navigating to this location.
Understanding ShaderFX Groups
In the context of ShaderFX, groups can be saved and reused across different graphs. When you save a group, Maya creates a file representing that group in a specific directory on your computer. Deleting the group involves removing this file from your system.
Step-by-Step: Deleting a Saved ShaderFX Group File
Follow these steps to remove a ShaderFX group that has been saved:
- Identify the Save Location: Recall or find the path displayed by the ShaderFX editor when the group was initially saved. This path points to your working directory where ShaderFX assets are stored.
- Navigate to the Directory: Use your operating system's file explorer (like Windows Explorer or macOS Finder) to go to the directory path you identified in step 1.
- Delete the Group File: Locate the file corresponding to the ShaderFX group you wish to delete and delete it permanently from this directory.
Important Consideration: Impact on Graphs
It is crucial to understand the consequence of deleting a saved ShaderFX group file:
- Note: Any graph that currently uses this group will no longer be able to find this group.
If you open a ShaderFX graph that was using the deleted group, Maya will not be able to load that specific group node, potentially causing errors or incomplete shader setups. You would need to manually remove or replace the missing group node in any affected graphs.
Deleting the file outside of Maya is the method described for removing these saved ShaderFX assets from your usable library.
