If you're a 3D artist or designer working in Maya, you may need to export your models to OBJ files for use in other 3D applications or workflows. OBJ (or .obj) is a common file format for 3D models, and it's supported by many 3D software programs and game engines. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of exporting OBJ files in Maya.

Step 1: Select the Object

First, make sure the object you want to export is selected in your Maya scene. You can select multiple objects if needed.

Step 2: Go to File > Export Selection

Once your object is selected, navigate to the 'File' menu and choose 'Export Selection...' This will open the Export Selection dialog box.

Step 3: Set the File Type to OBJ

In the Export Selection dialog box, set the 'Files of Type' dropdown menu to 'Wavefront OBJ (*.obj).' This tells Maya that you want to export your selection as an OBJ file.

Step 4: Configure Export Settings

You can configure the export settings for your OBJ file in the Export Selection dialog box. This includes options such as grouping objects, smoothing, and exporting materials. Make sure to adjust these settings based on your specific needs.

Step 5: Choose a File Name and Location

After configuring the export settings, choose a file name and location for your OBJ file. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the file, and enter a name for the OBJ file in the 'File Name' field.

Step 6: Click Export

Once you've set the file name and location, click the 'Export' button to save your selection as an OBJ file. Maya will then export the selected object(s) to the specified location in OBJ format.

Step 7: Check the Exported OBJ File

After the export process is complete, navigate to the location where you saved the OBJ file and open it in a 3D viewer or import it into another 3D application to ensure that the export was successful.

By following these steps, you can easily export OBJ files in Maya and incorporate your 3D models into various 3D workflows and pipelines. Whether you're sharing your models with colleagues or importing them into a different 3D software, knowing how to export OBJ files is a valuable skill for any 3D artist or designer.