DCC Integration Overview

msvc-kit is particularly useful for building plugins for Digital Content Creation (DCC) applications. These applications often require specific MSVC versions that match their build environment.

Why Use msvc-kit for DCC Development?

Version Matching

DCC applications are compiled with specific MSVC versions. Using a mismatched compiler can cause:

• ABI incompatibilities
• Crashes at runtime
• Undefined behavior

No Visual Studio Required

You don't need to install multiple Visual Studio versions. Just download the specific MSVC version you need.

CI/CD Friendly

Build plugins in automated pipelines without heavy VS installations.

MSVC Version Requirements

Application	Version	Recommended MSVC
Unreal Engine 5.4+	2024	14.38+
Unreal Engine 5.0-5.3	2022-2023	14.34-14.36
Maya 2025	2024	14.38
Maya 2024	2023	14.34
Maya 2023	2022	14.32
Houdini 20.5	2024	14.38
Houdini 20.0	2023	14.34
3ds Max 2025	2024	14.38
3ds Max 2024	2023	14.34
Blender 4.x	2024	14.38

WARNING

Always check the official documentation for your specific DCC version. Compiler requirements may change between releases.

General Workflow

1. Identify Required MSVC Version

Check your DCC's documentation or SDK for the required compiler version.

2. Download Matching MSVC

# Example: Maya 2025 requires MSVC 14.38
msvc-kit download --msvc-version 14.38

3. Setup Environment

msvc-kit setup --script --shell powershell | Invoke-Expression

4. Build Your Plugin

Use CMake, MSBuild, or direct compiler invocation.

Common Patterns

CMake Build

msvc-kit setup --script --shell powershell | Invoke-Expression
cmake -B build -G "NMake Makefiles"
cmake --build build --config Release

Direct Compilation

msvc-kit setup --script --shell powershell | Invoke-Expression
cl /c /O2 /EHsc plugin.cpp
link plugin.obj /DLL /OUT:plugin.dll

With SDK Headers

Most DCC plugins need the application's SDK headers:

cl /c /O2 /EHsc /I"C:\Path\To\SDK\include" plugin.cpp

Next Steps

• Unreal Engine 5 - UE5 plugin development
• Maya - Maya plugin development
• Houdini - Houdini plugin development
• 3ds Max - 3ds Max plugin development
• Blender - Blender addon development