Module Graph

Module Graph lets you explore and connect public ports of modules already built in Maya. Cables show the scene’s current connections.

Open the tool

In the weSkel shelf, click the Module Graph icon.
Its tooltip is Module Graph.

From Python

from weSkel.src.tools import module_graph

module_graph.show_dockable(floating=True)
# module_graph.show()  # Alternative: standalone floating window.

The first opening is floating; Maya may later restore your saved docking layout.

Create instances with Module Manager before adding them to the graph.

Overview

Module Graph · Spine, mirrored Clavicle and Arm, Poseidon theme.

Callout	Function
1 · Scene	Scene lists available instances; Presets provides access to saved connections.
2 · Actions	Upstream/downstream exploration, adding or removing nodes, layout, display, pins, framing, Depth and Find port….
3 · Graph	One node per instance, its public ports and their current connections. A mirrored module groups LEFT and RIGHT; CENTER identifies the center.
4 · Status	Module and cable counts, connections outside the view, external inputs and the last operation’s result. Details provides diagnostics when available.

Load and explore modules

Action	Effect
Drag from Scene	Adds modules at the drop position. Double-clicking also adds them. An already displayed module is not duplicated.
Add	Adds modules from the latest selection in the list, graph or Maya. Roots, controllers and owned nodes are recognized; persistent skin joints cannot be used to find their module.
Select a node or list item	Also selects the module roots in Maya. Ctrl/click or Shift/click extends the graph selection. Selecting a cable preserves the Maya selection.
Inputs / Both / Outputs	Rebuilds the view from selected modules, upstream, upstream and downstream, or downstream. Shift/click adds the network to the existing view.
Depth	0: starting modules only; 1: direct neighbors; 2 and above: that many levels; ∞ or -1: unlimited. Applies on the next click on Inputs, Both or Outputs.
Find port… / Ctrl+F	Searches ports in displayed modules. Show port, Enter or double-click expands the port’s path and frames it at 100%.
Refresh	Reads interfaces and connections again, particularly after renaming.

Both combines upstream and downstream paths from the selection; it does not add every side branch encountered. Without Shift, nodes outside the result leave the view, except pinned nodes.

Connect ports

Switch to 3 — Full to see available ports. Click a port row and then the opposite port, or drag between them. The gesture works in both directions: output to input or input to output. Escape cancels.

Selected row	Connected channels
Port name	All channels required by the input. Driver and Reference share a cable when they connect the same ports.
Driver	Driver only.
Reference	Inverse placement reference only; dotted cable.

The chevron expands channels; the row and socket are used for wiring. Connecting a port to a channel row selects that row’s channel. Driver to Reference is rejected, and missing channels are never created.

A Driver + Reference cable is orange and thicker. Different sources produce separate cables. Hover over a cable to read its endpoints; right-click offers Driver only, Reference only or Driver + Reference.

Replacing an occupied input requires confirmation. Animated inputs and cyclic connections are rejected. Each accepted gesture forms one Maya Undo command; locks, local values and other consumers are preserved.

Disconnect or remove from the view

Gesture	Result
Right-click a cable → Disconnect	Disconnects that cable’s channels. Multiple selected cables can be disconnected together.
Delete on cables	Disconnects the selection in one Maya Undo.
Shift + Alt + left-button drag	Draws a cutting line; releasing disconnects crossed cables. A combined cable cuts both channels. Escape cancels; one Undo restores the entire gesture.
Remove, Ctrl+L or Delete on nodes	Removes their representations, including pinned nodes. Modules and connections remain in Maya. If nodes and cables are selected together, Delete only removes nodes from the view.
Clear	Clears the view while retaining pinned nodes.

Cutting only affects visible cables. Moving or removing graph nodes is outside Maya Undo.

Organize the display

Control	Effect
Wheel / middle button	Zoom / pan. Drag on the background to select nodes with a rectangle.
Layout / L	Arranges selected nodes, or all nodes with no selection. The button then frames the view; L keeps the framing. Pins retain their positions.
Frame / F, Frame all / A	Frames the selection, or every displayed node.
1 — Simple	Shows headers and general sockets; keeps cables visible.
2 — Connected	Shows connected ports, including connections to modules outside the view or external sources.
3 — Full	Shows every port, with expandable groups and channels.
Pin / P	Pins the selection, or every node with no selection. If all are already pinned, unpins them. A pin protects against Clear, view replacement and layout; manual movement remains possible.

Modes 1/2/3 apply to selected nodes, or all nodes with no selection. Display shortcuts operate in the canvas. The toolbar overflow chevron provides access to actions hidden at narrow widths.

Port groups

Hand fingers and long port lists are grouped. Clicking a group expands it; it does not connect its contents as a batch. A cable whose port is collapsed stays attached to the group and keeps its exact endpoints in its tooltip.

Save and apply a preset

A preset describes public connections between displayed modules, with an optional layout. It reuses existing scene instances.

In Presets	Action
Save…	Names the preset, chooses whether to include positions/folds, then Save to library or Export JSON…. Connections excluded from the scope are counted in the form.
Apply	Applies the selected preset and its layout. A preview opens when mapping or replacement needs your choice.
Double-click / Import…	Opens a preview of a library preset, or an external JSON file.
Update… / Rename…	Replaces the preset’s contents after confirmation, or changes its name and file.
Folder / Delete…	Opens the library folder, or deletes the selected file after confirmation. Deleting the file does not change the rig.

Review the preview before applying

Preset preview: module mapping and channel changes before applying.

Step	Check
Map to scene	Assign each role to a compatible Scene module. Two roles require distinct instances; importing creates no instances.
Connection preview	Read channels to connect, already connected channels, occupied inputs and animation blocks.
Replace occupied channels listed below	Allows only the displayed replacements. Other connections are preserved.
Refresh preview	Reads a changed scene again and retains mappings that remain valid.
Load saved node positions	Restores the saved layout, when the preset includes one.
Apply preset	Applies the wiring in one Maya Undo. A failure restores the batch; an identical import adds no extra Undo. Cancel changes nothing.

The library is stored in module_graph/presets under your weSkel user data. Saving, renaming or deleting a file is outside Maya Undo.

Restore your view

On closing, the last twenty scenes retain their displayed modules, positions, folds, pins, modes and framing in user preferences. Depth resets to 1. Missing modules are ignored.

Restoring this view does not reconnect anything or apply a preset. Scene events and Undo/Redo refresh the displayed connections.