Forum - How Do I ...? - Assigna Material for an imported FBX prop.

Forum - How Do I ...? - Assigna Material for an imported FBX prop. - Messages http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Forum - How Do I ...? - Assigna Material for an imported FBX prop. - Messages en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jitbit AspNetForum Mon, 15 Aug 2016 14:29:45 GMT Mon, 15 Aug 2016 14:29:45 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from Rocque edited by Rocque on 15/08/2016]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2016 14:29:45 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz
I suppose I will give Blender yet another look, but to be honest I have wasted so much time with it in the past I find it hard to get up enthusiasm for its arcane and unforgiving UI

edited by primaveranz on 15/08/2016]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2016 00:23:27 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ziggy72 Mon, 15 Aug 2016 00:19:29 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from Rodrisilva

and more

give a eye on

]]> Sun, 14 Aug 2016 23:41:54 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from Rodrisilva primaveranz wrote:

OK had a few more tries with Milkshape-created ASE and FBX files.

...
When I talked to support about this a while ago Jamie said that the FBX file I sent him had no material assigned, so somehow that is being lost in the Milkshape export and is not fixed by converting to a later FBX format. Maybe I need to talk to the the Milkshape developer because Milkshape could open up prop creation to all those people who find the Blender learning curve too time-consuming for their purposes.

Hi primaveranz

I put my eyes on Milkshape some time ago and I understand it has some advantages converting many formats.
To be sincere Blender is not so hard to learn like it seams. Last versions are more user friendly and if you only need to export to fbx with assigned transparency and face smoothing the last exporter plugin does a perfect job. Steps to do that are easy if you search instructs among many youtube videos devoted to blender fbx export.
If I had more time available I could make a tutorial about. May be some day...
Meanwhile I attach some pictures where you can appreciate models with double layer transparency made in Blender and imported to Muvizu. You can play with transparency and add normal maps to any model. If you have time, you can make animated normal map like I did in this scene and change normal map texture for animated map. Playing with lights is possible inside Muvizu to simulated relief on flat surfaces.

]]> Sun, 14 Aug 2016 23:38:07 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from Rocque Sun, 14 Aug 2016 23:02:30 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz
I created a cube and a texture with a solid colour area, a semi-transparent area and a completely transparent area. I applied the texture to a material and applied the material to the cube. Then tried 5 variations.

1. Exported in ASE format and chose "map alpha to transparency, single-sided" - RESULT all areas worked as expected but where there was a transparency you could see right through the cube and out the other side (because the cube was single sided).

2. Exported in ASE format and chose "map alpha to transparency, double-sided" - RESULT the entire cube is transparent or semi-transparent (this is where I think a Transparency mask is needed but I can't see anyway to get it in to a Milkshape created ASE.)

3. Exported in FBX - RESULT cannot apply an image inside Muvizu just a colour
4. Exported in FBX then used Autodesk FBX converter to convert to 2012 format. RESULT same as 3.
5. Exported in FBX then used Autodesk FBX converter to convert to 2013 format. RESULT same as 3.

When I talked to support about this a while ago Jamie said that the FBX file I sent him had no material assigned, so somehow that is being lost in the Milkshape export and is not fixed by converting to a later FBX format. Maybe I need to talk to the the Milkshape developer because Milkshape could open up prop creation to all those people who find the Blender learning curve too time-consuming for their purposes.]]> Sun, 14 Aug 2016 22:10:39 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from PatMarrNC Rocque wrote:

Congrats on the purchases Pat. The HD sounds nice. Is it external?

it's internal. I opened my computer to see if I had any more RAM slots, and when I saw all those empty bays I knew there should be at least another hard drive. Next purchase will be a GTX 1070 graphics card and power supply.

Also the Milkshape sounds worth it so maybe in 6 months or so you can help me use it. Keep us informed of your progress.

I'm a slow learner ... grew up in the seventies, and I left most of my brain cells there... but I'll be happy to share any knowledge I manage to gain from it. The KEY Thing to know now is that it is one of the few affordable modelling programs that supports BOTH of the file formats that Muvizu can import. Blender is another.. but milkshape has the reputation of being easier to learn than Blender.

-----------------------------------------------------------
edited by PatMarrNC on 11/08/2016]]> Thu, 11 Aug 2016 03:22:20 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from Rocque Thu, 11 Aug 2016 03:02:13 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from PatMarrNC primaveranz wrote:

I never use colours to assign to Materials in Milkshape, just textures.
However the results are patchy especially if transparencies are involved. Because you have to re-group all the Milkshape groups into a single one before exporting, that means you can only have a single material and I think that is where the problem lies.
I have tried using a single .PNG file with a transparent part but it has never worked as I want it to.
Even if I get the option to choose a material inside Muvizu it "tiles" the image across the object instead of adhering to the UV mapping done inside Milkshape.

now that I've bought the license for Milkshape, I'm sure I'll be pestering you for information on a regular basis. Thanks for the insights youv'e provided already.]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2016 23:49:07 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz However the results are patchy especially if transparencies are involved. Because you have to re-group all the Milkshape groups into a single one before exporting, that means you can only have a single material and I think that is where the problem lies.
I have tried using a single .PNG file with a transparent part but it has never worked as I want it to.
Even if I get the option to choose a material inside Muvizu it "tiles" the image across the object instead of adhering to the UV mapping done inside Milkshape.]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2016 23:42:27 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from PatMarrNC primaveranz wrote:

PatMarrNC wrote:

Nobody replied to my question, so I just went ahead and installed Milkshape.

my experience with FBX in other modelling programs is as follows:

In the modelling environment, if I have assigned a color to my model before saving to OBJ file, then when I convert it to FBX in Blender and open it in Muvizu it will only let me change the color it had when exported as OBJ

But if I add a texture to it in the modelling environment THEN export as OBJ, and use Blender to convert the OBJ to FBX, Muvizu recognizes that it had a texture, and I get the option to pick between another texture OR a color.

(when you save an OBJ file, a materials file is also created, and apparently that information continues through the chain of exporting to FBX and subsequent use in Muvizu. That file must refer to a texture in order to assign another texture to it later in Muvizu.)]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2016 23:35:50 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz PatMarrNC wrote:

Nobody replied to my question, so I just went ahead and installed Milkshape.

Sorry Pat, I missed ths one. Yes I use Milkshape for almost all my modelling. It is simple and pretty intuitive but a bit of a faff if you want to create organic shapes. The only downside for use with Muvizu is that it exports an old version of FBX which, even if you convert it using the Autodesk tool either won't (or won't always - I can't remember at the moment) allow you to assign textures to the finished model in Muvizu.]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2016 19:59:56 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
I haven't had time to explore its 3D modelling potential, but its lonnng list of supported formats (both import and export) alone makes it well worth the modest price tag! It only costs 25 euros (currently about $28 USD)

The good news is that its built-in ASE export is MUCH faster than Sketchup's. I exported a model that took Sketchup well over an hour to create, and Milkshape exported it in less than the time it took me to open the directory to see if it was there! I like that!

The internal format looks a bit different so I'll have to experiment to see if the batch file I use to add tiny collision works the same way... but I was impressed enough to pay the minimal fee immediately, even if I only use it for exporting ASE and FBX (But I'm sure I'll use it for more than that)

Clayster, if you read this, please let me know what check boxes you check when creating your ASE files in Milkshape.]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2016 17:08:26 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
I Downloaded Milkshape a while ago, but never installed it (learning curve paralysis). Also my hard drive was getting full.

Now I added 3 terabytes of hard drive, so I'm reconsidering what to install. Can somebody who uses Milkshape give me an idea about how long it takes to export in ASE format from that software? I like the format because it does surface smoothing and it allows alpha and has the ability to assign multiple textures etc.

But exporting from Sketchup is much slower than blenders FBX export. If Milkshapes built-in export is faster than Sketchup's plugin export, I'll have to give it a try.

Your thoughts?]]> Mon, 08 Aug 2016 15:55:33 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
Thanks guys!]]> Sun, 07 Aug 2016 22:47:10 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ikes Sun, 07 Aug 2016 22:11:44 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from MrDrWho13 PatMarrNC wrote:

ziggy72 wrote:

Blender's FBX exporter works well enough with Muvizu that you can retain the textures - export your model as an OBJ with materials, import into blender, export as FBX (Smoothing set to Faces not Normals) and your model should import into Muvizu with textures intact. Should

Where do you find this Blender setting "Smoothing set to faces?"

There will be an option called "Smoothing" that you need to set to "Faces". I guess it's in the export menu somewhere.]]> Sun, 07 Aug 2016 22:04:35 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from PatMarrNC ziggy72 wrote:

Where do you find this Blender setting "Smoothing set to faces?"]]> Sun, 07 Aug 2016 22:02:29 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz I am talking to Jamie about it and will let you know the outcome.]]> Thu, 09 Jun 2016 11:11:51 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from PatMarrNC ukBerty wrote:

I think that is the present situation.

Separate your model out into transparent and non-transparent elements and import them separately.

You will of course have to get rid of the dreaded collision and offset the axis to make the bits fit back together.

Ah! So THAT'S the secret! Thanks for posting that UKBerty! Several months ago I created a convertible with a transparent glass windshield and couldn't overcome these same obstacles... I'll have to give it another try based on your input!]]> Sun, 05 Jun 2016 15:06:51 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz Sun, 05 Jun 2016 06:36:01 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ukBerty
Separate your model out into transparent and non-transparent elements and import them separately.

You will of course have to get rid of the dreaded collision and offset the axis to make the bits fit back together.]]> Sun, 05 Jun 2016 06:29:14 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz With FBX I am now getting a message saying "The feature you are trying to use is not licenced for this version of Muvizu." Without a transparency the model imports OK......]]> Sun, 05 Jun 2016 05:34:13 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz all groups that use the same material must be regrouped together as one.
E.g. I have two separate groups in my recent models - one with a transparent "glass" texture and the other with a "drink" texture. I keep them as separate groups and that works fine, whereas a previous version which was all grouped as one object didn't. And another which had three groups, two using the same material didn't.
Of course YMMV if you don't use Milkshape. Still haven't figured out how to get two-sided FBX out of it, but I can't see any advantage over .ASE anyway so far at least.]]> Sat, 28 May 2016 08:12:01 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ukBerty
So in Autodesk I always make sure I "attach" all objects together. I don't know what the terminology is in Milkshape but this is definitely the fix as it's taken me about 3 years to work out what was happening.]]> Sat, 28 May 2016 06:41:15 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz - so I tried just putting a translucent cylinder mesh of "juice" inside the successful jug and gave it a different material. But that just caused the return of the "can't move" problem. So I deleted the cylinder and extruded the base of the jug upwards (having shrunk the extruded face slightly to fit inside) applied a different material to that and lo and behold it worked.

Also choose the "don't use ID textures option" when importing .ASE if you want to use materials rather than just colours.]]> Sat, 28 May 2016 06:05:56 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ziggy72 Rodrisilva wrote:

Hi guys

I have been doing some tests around FBX importing, trying a way to get UV mapping tree foliage in planes. I believe muvizu is not able to use opacity maps like other 3d softwares. Imported trees always show textured planes and if I apply any transparency on it, tree leaves took the same polygon transparency level.

Do you have any idea how to get plane transparency without make leaves transparent too. I have trying something in blender that could succced but muvizu doesn't save the opacity map when you save the set.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2ire-Bv_13ibHhNVVlKcTJYbVE

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2ire-Bv_13iYl9UaFQ1R0d6c00/view?usp=sharing

Muvizu can use Opacity Masking (I use it with my trees) but only through the Alpha option on the ASE import menu, not FBX.]]> Sat, 28 May 2016 03:35:38 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ziggy72 primaveranz wrote:

I still have the problem that I can't move certain .ASE object that I import. I can't select them directly but can through the Scene manager and I can Edit the texture etc. However if I try to move them the scene moves instead.
E.g. I made a transparent glass which worked fine, then made a Jug with a few more polys and now have the issue. I will try and narrow it down but if it is Poly-related then it is a really low level of ma polys that causes the issue.

It's not polys, but rather something to do with the model's construction and/or collision. I've had it very few times though. Interestingly, one of Muvizu's own objects is also 'unclickable' in this way (a billboard sign I think it is).]]> Sat, 28 May 2016 03:33:41 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz Fri, 27 May 2016 22:33:39 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz E.g. I made a transparent glass which worked fine, then made a Jug with a few more polys and now have the issue. I will try and narrow it down but if it is Poly-related then it is a really low level of ma polys that causes the issue.]]> Fri, 27 May 2016 22:21:32 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz
Or are you talking about having "billboards"?
I don't think Muvizu can use .DDS files can it? I seem to remember seeing transparency issues in Moviestorm which were fixed by swapping .PNG files for .DDS versions (there are differences between the DXT3 and DXT5 versions also).

BTW the second screenshot looks great to me, not sure what your problem actually is?
edited by primaveranz on 27/05/2016]]> Fri, 27 May 2016 21:49:17 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from Rodrisilva
I have been doing some tests around FBX importing, trying a way to get UV mapping tree foliage in planes. I believe muvizu is not able to use opacity maps like other 3d softwares. Imported trees always show textured planes and if I apply any transparency on it, tree leaves took the same polygon transparency level.

Do you have any idea how to get plane transparency without make leaves transparent too. I have trying something in blender that could succced but muvizu doesn't save the opacity map when you save the set.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2ire-Bv_13ibHhNVVlKcTJYbVE

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2ire-Bv_13iYl9UaFQ1R0d6c00/view?usp=sharing

]]> Fri, 27 May 2016 20:17:36 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ukBerty primaveranz wrote:

I usually get this with ASE files imported that are multiple objects within the same model. Once they are all attached into a single object they should import and you can select.]]> Thu, 12 May 2016 05:57:19 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz ukBerty wrote:

When you say you can't edit or move them - do you mean they won't select ?

Sorry, I just saw this. Yes I meant I couldn't select it to edit. I could do it through the scene manager dialog box though. Will investigate merging all the groups into one before exporting - hopefully it won't screw up the UVs.]]> Thu, 12 May 2016 01:53:27 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ukBerty
If so make sure that all parts of the model are a single model. In Autodesk this procedure is called "Attach" - not sure of the terminology elsewhere.

Also make sure your collision box is all sorted as well.]]> Mon, 09 May 2016 11:05:28 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz edited by primaveranz on 09/05/2016]]> Mon, 09 May 2016 07:03:58 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz ]]> Mon, 09 May 2016 06:34:32 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from clayster2012 Mon, 09 May 2016 01:14:18 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz Sun, 08 May 2016 23:24:40 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from clayster2012 Sun, 08 May 2016 21:41:44 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz Sun, 08 May 2016 19:41:42 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from ziggy72 ]]> Sun, 08 May 2016 14:43:42 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from clayster2012 edited by clayster2012 on 08/05/2016]]> Sun, 08 May 2016 14:20:39 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from clayster2012 Sun, 08 May 2016 14:17:00 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz Sun, 08 May 2016 05:48:03 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz Sun, 08 May 2016 05:34:05 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz Wed, 27 Apr 2016 21:57:19 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from Wabby
You can do that with FBX, look at the wiki for more details : http://muvizu.com/Wiki]]> Wed, 27 Apr 2016 12:38:18 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5663-assigna-material-for-an-imported-fbx-prop.aspx Message from primaveranz Is there a way to import a multi-material and textured FBX model into Muvizu and have the ability to assign the correct texture (e.g. a jpg) to each material once imported? I only seem to be able to assign colours to the material when editing a prop, not an actual texture. Or is this a limitation of using FBX?
Cheers.]]> Wed, 27 Apr 2016 10:39:19 GMT