Plugin Installation

Plugins

Plugin Installation

Each DCC needs a small bridge plugin installed so USL can push materials into it. Install from USL’s settings, then follow the steps for your DCC below.

Maya

Install

In USL: Settings → Install Plugin → Maya, then restart Maya.

For manual install, copy the plugin files to your Maya modules folder:

  • Windows: Documents\maya\modules\
  • macOS: ~/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/modules/

Connect

After restarting Maya, open the USL shelf and click Connect. Make sure USL is running before connecting.

Change Renderer

Currently supported renderers are Arnold and Redshift. If you switch renderer, click Disconnect in the USL shelf and then Connect again — this updates the imported shaders to match your chosen renderer.

Blender

Install

In USL: Settings → Install Plugin → Blender. This saves a .zip file.

In Blender: Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install → select the .zip → tick the checkbox to enable Universal Shader Library.

Connect

Press N in any 3D Viewport to open the side menu. Find the USL tab and click Connect.

Change Renderer

If you switch renderer, click Disconnect in the USL panel and Connect again to update the imported shaders for your chosen renderer.

Houdini

Install

In USL: Settings → Install Plugin → Houdini, then restart Houdini.

For manual install, copy the plugin folder into your Houdini packages directory or add it to your HOUDINI_PATH.

Connect

Enable the USL shelf in Houdini (Edit → Shelves → USL) and click Connect. Then choose your preferred renderer.

Renderer Options

RendererImport target
Karma/mat, Solaris, or both
Redshift/mat directly
Mantra/mat directly

Unreal Engine

Install

In USL: Settings → Install Plugin → Unreal. USL will install the plugin automatically and show you the connection steps.

Connect

USL uses Unreal’s Python console to connect — no plugin folder or editor restart required.

Step 1 — Open Unreal’s Python console and run the exec line shown in USL:

exec(open(r"C:\Users\YourName\Documents\USL\usl_ue5_plugin.py").read())

Copy the exact path shown in USL — it will match your machine’s install location.

Step 2 — Connect to USL:

connect()

Optional — To connect automatically every time you open the project, add the exec line to your project’s init_unreal.py file.

Import

Materials are imported directly to your Content folder once connected.

Substrate not yet supported. USL currently builds materials using Unreal’s legacy material system. Substrate (UE 5.4+) support is in development.

Cinema4D

Alpha testing — documentation pending.

Cinema4D support is currently in early alpha. If you’re part of the alpha programme, refer to the instructions provided directly by PixelConstruct.

Troubleshooting

USL can’t find my DCC

Make sure you have the minimum supported version installed — see the System Requirements table.

Connection refused

  • Make sure USL is open and running before you click Connect in the DCC
  • Check that port 9876 isn’t blocked by a firewall or security tool

Plugin not working

Uninstall and reinstall the plugin via Settings → Install Plugin → [DCC] in USL.

Next Steps