diff --git a/release/scripts/io/import_shape_mdd.py b/release/scripts/io/import_shape_mdd.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c64fbd15a5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/release/scripts/io/import_shape_mdd.py
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+# ***** BEGIN GPL LICENSE BLOCK *****
+#
+# This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+# modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
+# as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2
+# of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+# Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307, USA.
+#
+# ***** END GPL LICENCE BLOCK *****
+
+# <pep8 compliant>
+
+# mdd importer by Bill L.Nieuwendorp
+# conversion to blender 2.5: Ivo Grigull (loolarge)
+#
+# Warning if the vertex order or vertex count differs from the
+# origonal model the mdd was Baked out from their will be Strange
+# behavior
+#
+# vertex animation to ShapeKeys with ipo  and gives the frame a value of 1.0 
+# A modifier to read mdd files would be Ideal but thats for another day :)
+#
+# Please send any fixes,updates,bugs to Slow67_at_Gmail.com
+# Bill Niewuendorp
+
+import bpy
+from struct import unpack
+
+
+def mdd_import(filepath, ob, scene, PREF_START_FRAME=0, PREF_JUMP=1):
+    
+    print('\n\nimporting mdd "%s"' % filepath)
+    
+    bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode='OBJECT')
+
+    file = open(filepath, 'rb')
+    frames, points = unpack(">2i", file.read(8))
+    time = unpack((">%df" % frames), file.read(frames * 4))
+    
+    print('\tpoints:%d frames:%d' % (points,frames))
+
+    # If target object doesn't have Basis shape key, create it.
+    try:
+        num_keys = len( ob.data.shape_keys.keys )
+    except:
+        basis = ob.add_shape_key()
+        basis.name = "Basis"
+        ob.data.update()
+
+    scene.current_frame = PREF_START_FRAME
+
+    def UpdateMesh(ob, fr):
+    
+        # Insert new shape key
+        new_shapekey = ob.add_shape_key()
+        new_shapekey.name = ("frame_%.4d" % fr)
+        new_shapekey_name = new_shapekey.name
+            
+        ob.active_shape_key_index = len(ob.data.shape_keys.keys)-1
+        index = len(ob.data.shape_keys.keys)-1
+        ob.shape_key_lock = True
+            
+        verts = ob.data.shape_keys.keys[ len(ob.data.shape_keys.keys)-1 ].data
+        
+
+        for v in verts:
+            # 12 is the size of 3 floats
+            x,y,z= unpack('>3f', file.read(12))
+            v.co[:] = x,z,y
+        #me.update()
+        ob.shape_key_lock = False
+    
+
+        # insert keyframes
+        shape_keys = ob.data.shape_keys
+
+        scene.current_frame -= 1
+        ob.data.shape_keys.keys[index].value = 0.0
+        shape_keys.keys[len(ob.data.shape_keys.keys)-1].keyframe_insert("value")
+
+        scene.current_frame += 1
+        ob.data.shape_keys.keys[index].value = 1.0
+        shape_keys.keys[len(ob.data.shape_keys.keys)-1].keyframe_insert("value")
+
+        scene.current_frame += 1
+        ob.data.shape_keys.keys[index].value = 0.0
+        shape_keys.keys[len(ob.data.shape_keys.keys)-1].keyframe_insert("value")
+
+        ob.data.update()       
+
+
+    for i in range(frames):
+        UpdateMesh(ob, i)
+    
+
+from bpy.props import *
+
+
+class importMDD(bpy.types.Operator):
+    '''Import MDD vertex keyframe file to shape keys'''
+    bl_idname = "import.mdd"
+    bl_label = "Import MDD"
+
+    # get first scene to get min and max properties for frames, fps
+
+    minframe = 1
+    maxframe = 300000
+    minfps = 1
+    maxfps = 120
+
+    # List of operator properties, the attributes will be assigned
+    # to the class instance from the operator settings before calling.
+    path = StringProperty(name="File Path", description="File path used for importing the MDD file", maxlen=1024)
+    #fps = IntProperty(name="Frames Per Second", description="Number of frames/second", min=minfps, max=maxfps, default=25)
+    start_frame = IntProperty(name="Start Frame", description="Start frame for inserting animation", min=minframe, max=maxframe, default=0)
+
+
+    def poll(self, context):
+        ob = context.active_object
+        return (ob and ob.type == 'MESH')
+
+    def execute(self, context):
+        if not self.properties.path:
+            raise Exception("filename not set")
+
+        mdd_import( self.properties.path, bpy.context.active_object, context.scene, self.properties.start_frame, 1)
+
+        return {'FINISHED'}
+
+    def invoke(self, context, event):
+        wm = context.manager
+        wm.add_fileselect(self)
+        return {'RUNNING_MODAL'}
+
+
+def menu_func(self, context):
+    self.layout.operator(importMDD.bl_idname, text="Lightwave Point Cache (.mdd)")
+
+
+def register():
+    bpy.types.register(importMDD)
+    bpy.types.INFO_MT_file_import.append(menu_func)
+    
+def unregister():
+    bpy.types.unregister(importMDD)
+    bpy.types.INFO_MT_file_import.remove(menu_func)
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    register()