importing modeled objects
ktlrichards_4cf330de7b
Posts: 14
I am unable to import objects that have multiple parts to it. I mean that the different parts don't show up in the scene panel. These are objects I modeled in a different 3d application and that have been textured also. I notice that when a Stonemason item is loaded you get all the parts that make up the model showing in the scene panel and surface panel. Currently, even though my model is made up of different parts, its imported as a single object into Daz. It would be nice to figure out how I can do this so that I can take advantage of Reality 4 renderer. Anybody know how to do this. It would be greatly appreciated.
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As long as you have multiple material zones Reality shouldn't have a problem. the Stonemason scenario is because it is saved in a DAZ format probably and not a mesh format such as .OBJ
I'm it would help to know what software are you using to model with, and what format you are using to export/import. It may take an intermidiate software to get things formated properly, or possibly a different export setting. But it's hard to know for sure if we don't know the software or file format.
Groups, usually used for bones (though theya re not mandatory), and surfaces, used for material settings, are not the same. Groups do import but will not be shown in the Scene pane on an imported mesh - they can be assigned as selection sets, so clicking on them selects the matching bone, if the object is rigged. Surfaces (also known as material groups) are imported and are available in the Surfaces pane under the object name. You need Surfaces so, as DustRider says, we need to know what modeller you are using and what type of group you are creating.
As others have said, it depends on the format you used for exporting.
Recently I've been converting and importing a number of single file models from a racing game in the Collada (.dae) format. That brings in multiple separate objects/groups from one exported file. Each part is listed separately in the scene pane but you can soon group them all into one yourself. Maybe give it a go if you can export that format.
FBX might work the same but I don't use it as it always screws up the import and .dae works perfectly for me, part origins, textures and all.
You are lucky. I have yet to get a .dae file to import correctly
Didnt know that. I model in 3d coat and export from there with obj. format. Im not sure how to export in other formats. Ill have to check 3d coat export abilities as I never thought of exporting in another format. Is there a separate program to convert formats? Or should I be able to do that through 3d coat? Ill check it out. Thank you for the replies. Ill repost with what I find, if anything.
OBJ should be fine, it's just a question of working out how to export with surfaces/shading domains/materials instead of or as well as groups. 3D Coat does support them, I know, but I've not used it for original content creation (or at all recently) so I'm not sure of the steps.
Actually obj format does not work with 3d coat. Especially after the object is uv'd and textured the only option is too export as obj. Before texturing I can export as scene and it will show up in Daz as separate objects and materials. However at that point there is no uv's or textures with it. However I did find a video through learn3d software by Adam Gibson that appears to be a comprehensive instruction video on how to convert 3d objects for import into daz studio. Although he says that he uses lightwave for demonstration purposes, it also supposedly will work with all 3d applications. I havent bought the video yet but if I do Ill repost here to let be known if the video was helpful. Thanks everyone for input and replies.
That is odd that 3DC doesn't do OBJ import since that is pretty universal and I import OBJs into DS all the time from different apps. I know from experience that some times DS imports OBJs with no textures, but that doesn't affect the UVmapping and you can re-apply the textures inside DS
Personally I would save my money as DS imports 3d objects fine as I do it all the time, just depends on the format and the app it was exported from
3DCoat will import and export OBJ. As i said, we just need to figure out how to assign a material instead of a group and export that (though you could search the exported OBJ for lines starting g - the group declarations - and change the gs to usemtl.
If you export from 3DCoat in "Paint" mode, there is an option in "File" menu to save ".obj with textures".
I have tried that to export auto UVmapped bust from 3DCoat and after imported it to Daz Studio
(and clicked on iray Uber shader for all materials), all PBR maps were intact and looked very similar
to the render from 3DCoat itself.
Yeah, basically what Artini said... But I usually make a one piece sculpted item... Have you tried posting this question on 3D Coats "New Users" forums?
They are fairly helpful... It usually take a bit longer for a response there, as opposed to here (several hours longer, sometimes here it is just minutes)...
http://3dcoat.com/forum/index.php?/forum/57-new-users/
I don't know if I recalled it correctly, but I thought someone asked a similar question there a while ago, but I couldn't find it... I did find this, but it's not exactly the same as what you asked...
http://3dcoat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/20675-exporting-multiple-material-zones/
Below is a quick test of painted materials in 3DCoat applied to columns created and UV mapped in Blender.
Here is how it looks like in 3DCoat:
and the iray render from Daz Studio: