# F17 — DCC Connector (Max / Blender)

> SkinLayer Studio **1.3.x Standalone** UI reference.  
> Practice: EP00–EP12 · Features: **F01–F17** (order 50+).

> **This feature:** How to use the **Connector (receiver)** inside the DCC.  
> SLS → DCC **Push**: [EP12](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ep12-push-to-dcc?lang=en). Install: [EP01](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ep01-install-connect?lang=en).  
> JSON Export/Import menus: [F12](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-export-json?lang=en).

## 1. Push vs Connector

| Path | Where | Role |
|------|--------|------|
| **Apply to Skin (Push)** | SLS app | **Daily main path** — apply layer weights straight to DCC Skin |
| **Connector + JSON Import** | Inside DCC | **Backup / workaround** — recover when Push fails or is incomplete |

The connector lives in the DCC and talks to SLS over **IPC**. `IPC: Listening` means ready; `IPC: Offline` means check SLS / port.

Install via SLS **Tools → Install Connector...** ([EP01](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ep01-install-connect?lang=en)), then **fully restart the DCC**.

---

## 2. For 3ds Max

### 2-1. Open the connector

**Method A — OS Tools menu (recommended)**  
In Max **2025+**: **OS Tools → os_skinLayer_studio_connector**.

![OS Tools menu](max_os_tools_menu.png)

**Method B — Toolbar button**  
If the menu item is missing or you want a button:

1. **Customize → Customize User Interface…**
2. **Toolbars** tab → Category **`OtakuSolutions_Tools`**
3. Drag action **`os_skinLayer_studio_connector`** onto a toolbar

![Customize User Interface — Toolbars](max_customize_toolbar.png)

![Connector button on toolbar](max_toolbar_button.png)

### 2-2. Connector window (User / Management)

![skinLayer_connector window](max_connector_window.png)

| Section | Button | Description |
|---------|--------|-------------|
| **User** | **Import Weights (\*.json)** | Opens the JSON backup plan (see 2-3) |
| **User** | **About** | Version / product info |
| **User** | **Help** | Help / docs link |
| **Management** | **SLS Debug Report** | Build a support debug report |
| **Management** | **Open Log Folder** | Open the log folder |
| **Management** | **Open Connector Folder** | Open the connector install folder |

### 2-3. JSON Import = backup plan (Max)

Daily work uses [EP12 Push](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ep12-push-to-dcc?lang=en). When Push fails or some meshes are skipped:

1. In SLS, export `.json` via [F12 Export Weights](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-export-json?lang=en) (single or folder batch).
2. Max connector → **Import Weights (\*.json)**.
3. **Add weight files (.json)**.
4. Check **Target Mesh** and **Status=OK**. (Only `Status=OK` rows are applied.)
5. **Skin Apply**.

![Import Weights (JSON) — Skin Apply](max_import_weights_json.png)

| UI | Description |
|----|-------------|
| **Add weight files (.json)** | Add JSON files |
| **Remove selected** | Remove selected rows |
| **Skin Apply** | Apply OK rows to Skin |
| **Close** | Close the dialog |

> If Target Mesh is empty or Status is not OK: confirm a same-named mesh exists in the scene and that skin / topology / vertex count match the JSON.

---

## 3. For Blender

### 3-1. Open the SLS tab

In the viewport press **N** → sidebar tab **`SLS`**.

![Blender N-panel — SLS tab](blender_sls_panel.png)

Confirm **SkinLayer Studio — Connector** and `IPC: Listening (port …)`. (Port may vary by environment.)

### 3-2. Panel layout (User / Management)

Same roles as Max; UI is an N-panel.

| Section | Item | Description |
|---------|------|-------------|
| **User** | **Import Weights (\*.json)** list | Loaded JSON · target · status |
| **User** | **+ Add JSON…** | Add weight JSON |
| **User** | **Clear** | Clear the list |
| **User** | **Skin Limit** | Influence bone limit (often `0` ≈ no practical limit) |
| **User** | **Apply to Scene** | Apply Status=OK items to the scene |
| **User** | **About** / **Help** | Info · help |
| **Management** | **SLS Debug Report** | Support report |
| **Management** | **Open Log Folder** | Log folder |
| **Management** | **Open Connector Folder** | Connector folder |

### 3-3. JSON Import = backup plan (Blender)

1. Export JSON from SLS ([F12](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-export-json?lang=en)).
2. Blender **SLS** tab → **+ Add JSON…**.
3. Confirm each mesh shows **OK**.
4. **Apply to Scene**.

The main path remains SLS **Apply to Skin (Push)** ([EP12](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ep12-push-to-dcc?lang=en)).

---

## 4. Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Check |
|---------|--------|
| `IPC: Offline` | Is SLS running? Reinstall/restart connector · firewall |
| Push works but JSON fails | Matching mesh name · Status=OK · vertex count |
| Menu / tab missing | After [EP01](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ep01-install-connect?lang=en) install, **fully quit and restart** the DCC |
| Need support | Attach **SLS Debug Report** + logs from **Open Log Folder** |

---

## 5. Related docs

- [EP01 — Installation and DCC Connection](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ep01-install-connect?lang=en)
- [EP12 — Push to DCC](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ep12-push-to-dcc?lang=en)
- [F12 — Export / Import Weights (.json)](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-export-json?lang=en)