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Maya is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D models, animations, artwork, and simulations.
LookdevX is a new feature in Maya that allows users to create custom materials for visual effects (VFX). It also supports multiple open-source file formats, allowing it to be used across various content-creation tools.
LookdevX is a complicated tool that requires users to have at least some working knowledge of adding textures to 3D models. The goal of the tooltips is to help reduce the knowledge gap between beginner and advanced users. To do this, I needed to use terminology they would understand.
I read the LookdevX beta forums as well as some Reddit threads. I did this to better understand:
1. Who my audience is.
2. How to speak to them (what words they use).
I made a list of all buttons and contextual menus within LookdevX so I could keep them in an organized spreadsheet. I began writing definitions for them.
I had a meeting with the Product Owner to review the spreadsheet. We discussed whether we needed tooltips for every button, and ultimately decided that we did not (some button labels made their function obvious).
Buttons that needed tooltips tended to use jargon like compound, node, USD, etc.
After finalizing the list of tooltips, I collaborated with the development team to implement them into the product. The dev team provided further feedback, and we worked together to make any necessary fixes.
LookdevX was released on March 29th, 2023, but it had already been made available as a beta to a select group of customers. The product was iterated based on feedback from the beta testers, and tooltips were implemented as a result of this feedback about a month before the public release.
Since its release, the overall reception of LookdevX has been overwhelmingly positive. I am proud of the small part I had to play in bringing this feature to market.
