Reflection Card Rig

reflcards.py

import pymel.core as pmc
import pymel.core.nodetypes as pmtypes


def create_ramp_shader(name):
    
    ramp = pmc.shadingNode('ramp', asTexture=True, name=name + '_color')
    reverse = pmc.shadingNode('reverse', asUtility=True, name=name + '_opacity')
    ramp.outColor.connect(reverse.input)
    
    surfaceShader = pmc.shadingNode('surfaceShader', asShader=True, name=name + '_solid')
    shadingGroup = pmc.sets(renderable=True, noSurfaceShader=True, empty=True, name=name + '_solidSG')
    surfaceShader.outColor.connect(shadingGroup.surfaceShader, force=True)
    
    ramp.outColor.connect(surfaceShader.outColor)
    reverse.output.connect(surfaceShader.outTransparency)
    
    return surfaceShader, shadingGroup


def create_reflection_card(name):
    
    plane = pmc.polyPlane(axis=(0, 1, 0), createUVs=True, h=12, w=12, sw=12, sh=12, ch=False)[0]
    plane.rename(name)
    polyPlane = plane.getShape()
    
    mtl, sg = create_ramp_shader(name)
    pmc.sets(sg, edit=True, forceElement=plane)
    
    return plane, polyPlane



def create_reflection_card_rig(name):
    
    lookatLocator = pmc.createNode('locator')
    lookat = lookatLocator.getParent()
    lookat.rename(name + '_aim')
    
    plane, polyPlane = create_reflection_card(name)
    
    xform=pmc.group([plane, lookat], name=name + '_grp')
    pmc.aimConstraint(lookat, plane, aim=(0, 1, 0), upVector=(0, 0, -1), worldUpType='scene')
    
    return xform, plane, lookat


create_reflection_card_rig('refl_card')