Max Influences Tool

Max Influence Tool is a Python-based utility for Autodesk Maya that helps artists analyze and optimize vertex skin influences.
In character rigging, each vertex can be affected by multiple joints(influences) — but excessive influences increase memory usage and slow down scene evaluation, especially in complex or real-time rigs.
This tool offers a fast, intuitive way to inspect and prune skinCluster weights directly in Maya, maintaining a clean balance between deformation quality and performance.

Influence Checker – Highlights vertices whose influence count exceeds a specified limit.
Supports both full-mesh and partial vertex selections. Automatically selects problematic vertices for quick review.
Influence Pruner – Automatically trims the smallest weights on each vertex until the influence count meets the desired limit, then redistributes the remaining weights proportionally.
Supports both full-mesh and partial vertex selections.

This tool uses Maya Python API 2.0 to access skin weights in a single batch through MFnSkinCluster. It builds a vertex component (either from the current vertex selection or the full mesh), queries all weights at once with getWeights(), slices the flattened weight buffer per vertex to count active influences, and enforces a top-N cap by zeroing smaller weights and renormalizing the remainder. The updated weights are then written back in a single setWeights() call for performance and deterministic results.