Tensify:

Tensify is a real-time tension map plugin for Autodesk Maya.
It calculates stretch and compression on your mesh as it deforms, and writes the results to vertex colors - useful for various simulation and shading purposes.

Installation:

1. If you're using Maya 2025.3 copy Tensify.mll to "your Maya installation path\bin\plug-ins"
2. For other versions of Maya, you'll need to compile the plugin from the source files using a supported C++ compiler to generate a .mll file for your specific version. Once compiled, copy the file to "your Maya installation path\bin\plug-ins"
3. Copy the AEtensifyTemplate.mel to "your Maya installation path>\scripts\AETemplates"
4. Load the plugin via Maya Plugin Manager

How to Use:

1. Select your mesh in Maya’s viewport
2. Run the Tensify.py script in the Maya Script Editor - a tensify node will be created and automatically connected to your mesh, and the stretch and compression attributes will be added to the mesh shape.

Note on Alembic Export: To include the stretch and compression vertex color attributes when exporting your mesh, make sure to add both attribute names to the Attributes field in the Alembic Export window. Refer to "img/Alembic_Export.jpg" for a visual example.