Forum - Competitions, Events & News - New release update: Static lighting and OBJ import

PatMarrNC wrote:

Weirdly for the cube with the window in it, even though the window is not visible if you lift the block above the ground the shadow shows that thre is a hole in the cube. However the window is only in the top and the shadow suggests it goes right through the cube. This is the same behaviour I have seen with .ASE files.

seeing the same thing here.

I'm getting mixed results

size-wise, Some cubes that are larger than other cubes that will import are still failing with the error that the object is too small.

Sometimes when the OBJ imports I can select it and move it around, while other times I can't... and I don't know what determines the difference

OK.. based on your input I was able to get a cube with texture to load ... but i still got an invalid file format error, and the texture didn't show up on the model until I edited the property diffuse texture (which was empty, even though the MTL file clearly showed it)

After getting the cube into Muvizu I was then able to apply BMP, PNG and JPG textures to the diffuse texture box
edited by PatMarrNC on 15/12/2016]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 19:20:19 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz PatMarrNC wrote:

as on open question to the forum: has ANYBODY been able to successfully laod an OBJ file with an image texture assigned to a surface?

Yes I have managed that, using a .jpg image of some wooden planks.

But like you, I have found that Muvizu only allows the editing of a single texture and does not support transparencies on .OBJ files.
Weirdly for the cube with the window in it, even though the window is not visible if you lift the block above the ground the shadow shows that thre is a hole in the cube. However the window is only in the top and the shadow suggests it goes right through the cube. This is the same behaviour I have seen with .ASE files.
edited by primaveranz on 15/12/2016]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 18:48:01 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from PatMarrNC primaveranz wrote:

Have you tried a milkshape3d model with two materials? One using an image texture and the other using a transparent .png or .dds file?

I've tried both. Adding an image texture here on my machine causes Muvizu to throw an "invalid file format" error when I try to load it.

If I add transparency to the .mtl file, muvizu will load the model, but the transparency is not supported.

Open question to the forum: has ANYBODY been able to successfully load an OBJ file with an image texture assigned to a surface?

also, my last import is a cube with a different color on each side... 6 in total.... but when I edit the properties, the box shows one color plus some of the modifying colors for that one material.

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edited by PatMarrNC on 15/12/2016]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 18:43:11 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz PatMarrNC wrote:

update: I just exported the same cube from Milkshape, and it imported OK.... but I notice that milkshape did not create a .mtl file for the cube. Deleting the .mtl file for the other cubes generated by other modelling programs resulted in a "mtl file not found" error, because the OBJ file must have had an internal reference that the milkshape file did not have

update 2: I added a color to the cube in Milkshape, then exported as OBJ... this time Milkshape created a .mtl file, and the resulting model successfully imported to Muvizu. So apparently, these various modelling programs address the OBJ format differently, and Milkshapes version appears to match the format that Muvizu's importer is looking for.

Have you tried a milkshape3d model with two materials? One using an image texture and the other using a transparent .png or .dds file?]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 18:35:11 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
So I UVMapped it this time, and added an image as texture. Got the following error when trying to load it:

removed the image texture and got the original error again

this suggests that the contents of the .mtl file influence the model's loading.

update: I just exported the same cube from Milkshape, and it imported OK.... but I notice that milkshape did not create a .mtl file for the cube. Deleting the .mtl file for the other cubes generated by other modelling programs resulted in a "mtl file not found" error, because the OBJ file must have had an internal reference that the milkshape file did not have

update 2: I added a color to the cube in Milkshape, then exported as OBJ... this time Milkshape created a .mtl file, and the resulting model successfully imported to Muvizu. So apparently, these various modelling programs address the OBJ format differently, and Milkshapes version appears to match the format that Muvizu's importer is looking for.

update 3: primaveranz wrote:

I'd be tempted to scale up the model by a factor of 10 and not create any collision mesh as I suspect the Muvizu import will take care of that anyway, then try again.

I had previously tried this, but apparently I wasn't making my object large enough. I Imported the Milkshape cube into Silo, and it was huge compared to anything else I'd tried to get into Muvizu... and when I exported it from Silo at that huge size, it came into Muvizu! Cool!
That tells me I just need to work to a different scale when working with OBJ files

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edited by PatMarrNC on 15/12/2016
edited by PatMarrNC on 15/12/2016]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 16:33:08 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from PatMarrNC Speedking5 wrote:

I can import an obj object but I can not import an obj attachment for a character therres not even an option showing up for it.

but that sure would be useful!

(hint hint!)]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 16:05:27 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from Speedking5 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 15:26:42 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from MrDrWho13 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 11:57:23 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from drewi I made the object in Anim8or
and then i uv mapped it with Uvmapper classic
the object imported into muvizu fine.
I dont think .obj can have collision...i could be wrong about that though my experience is limited.
Also i haven't successfully been able to include transparency in my experiments so far.]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 11:53:58 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from mcmillan-ra primaveranz wrote:

What is "SwarmAgent" and why does it need access through my firewall when I switch on Static lighting?

SwarmAgent is the thing that calculates the lighting.

It doesn't really need access to the internet, but it does need access to you local network as it opens up a network port for the engine to talk to. This is a standard part of UE3.]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 10:02:53 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz MuvizuTeam wrote:

This latest version of Muvizu has an option to allow the user to create static lighting for their scene. Creating static lighting can take a long time to calculate, but it should significantly increase performance in the final scene.

Both of these features are available in Muvizu Play. Enjoy!

What is "SwarmAgent" and why does it need access through my firewall when I switch on Static lighting?]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 08:15:12 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz SuperStarvingWriter wrote:

@primaveranz Were you able to select the model and move it around?

Yes I can.]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 07:52:32 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz edited by primaveranz on 15/12/2016]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 07:52:12 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from SuperStarvingWriter primaveranz Were you able to select the model and move it around?]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 07:47:59 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz But 2 different meshes made in Sketchup just bounce around uncontrollably and then sink through the floor once you switch off "Floats in the air".]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2016 07:46:07 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz Wed, 14 Dec 2016 21:51:11 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from PatMarrNC primaveranz wrote:

PatMarrNC wrote:

it was on my secondary hard drive (not a USB drive) and the supporting files were indeed in the same directory. Since I didn't have this problem with the output from any other modelling program, I'm attributing the weirdness to the Sketchup LIPID OBJ exporter plugin. Paths must get encoded in the OBJ file, because the .MTL file contained no path references.

Since the last post, I tried importing OBJ files from two other modellers (Curvy3d and Poser) and got the same error as in my original post (the one about being too small or a problem with collision)]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 20:43:47 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz PatMarrNC wrote:

That looks like some sort of confusion over the path name, notice the forward and backward slashes after the drive name? Was the model on a USB stick? If so, save it to your PC before trying to import. Also make sure the .OBJ file (mesh) and any associated .MTL files (materials) are all in the same folder.]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 20:19:08 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from SuperStarvingWriter
The model's file size is 556kb, it is textured, and I have no idea about whether it uses collision geometry.

Here's a picture of it. It's a space ship.

edited by SuperStarvingWriter on 14/12/2016]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 19:36:11 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
If you have successfully imported an OBJ, what modelling program did you use to create it? (maybe there's a difference between programs)

how large was the item? Was it textured? Did it include collision geometry?

I tried exporting a simple cube about the size of a car in muvizu.. with another simple cube inside, named UCX_Test (filename was Test.Obj)

Exported it from 3 different modelling apps and Muvizu rejected it each time with the error shown in my previous message

exporting from Sketchup using the LIPID OBJECT EXPORTER plugin, I get this error:

]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 18:26:35 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from Tangledbliss Wed, 14 Dec 2016 16:05:08 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from SuperStarvingWriter Wed, 14 Dec 2016 15:15:09 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from MrDrWho13

]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 11:28:30 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from MrDrWho13 Anticip wrote:

I am gonna try that yeah. I've got 12,95 Mb/s download speed so I think it's should be more than enough. I'll cancel the download and go through site directly

Yeah it should only take a few minutes to download. It's best to install the new version separately anyway because there may be bugs.]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 11:06:59 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from Anticip Wed, 14 Dec 2016 11:04:40 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from MrDrWho13 Anticip wrote:

Hey ! I have a good internet connection but the update seems to take forever, it's already been 2 hours and the progress bar seems stuck at 75%. Is it really big and long for everybody ? Should I wait or force cancel ?

Thanks a lot.

Have you tried downloading it from the main site? http://www.muvizu.com/Get-Muvizu
What's your internet speed? (You can check at http://www.speedtest.net/ )
edited by MrDrWho13 on 14/12/2016]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 10:55:46 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from Anticip
Thanks a lot.]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 10:32:30 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from Jamie Wed, 14 Dec 2016 09:29:34 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from ikes Wed, 14 Dec 2016 07:03:35 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from PatMarrNC

edited by PatMarrNC on 14/12/2016]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 05:21:45 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from tonyob67 and they did not even answer me, that is why I try to ask this question here.
Since I am in the forum, I have only seen that they respond to the moguls,
and a person who wanted to invest a lot of money in muvizu, but thanks any way

http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5909-spanish-forum.aspx]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2016 03:01:54 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/forum135-feedback.aspx
If people go off at tangents in threads the real message gets hard to follow.]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 23:48:49 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from tonyob67 primaveranz wrote:

Probably best to start another thread about grouping. This one is about the new features.

My intention is not to start a thread, it's just a request that I make to the muvizu team]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 23:45:01 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from primaveranz Tue, 13 Dec 2016 23:09:47 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from tonyob67 tonyob67 wrote:

MuvizuTeam wrote:

There have been a number of conversations on the forum regarding the performance of Muvizu compared to the Unreal Engine it is based on.

For those that don't know, a lot of the difference in performance is because game levels use static lighting.

Static lighting is where any objects and lights that do not move have their lighting calculated before the game is started. In these cases “light maps” and “shadows maps” are pre-calculated and saved with the level. When pre-calculating lighting, more sophisticated rendering can be used, and this allows effects like global illumination.

This latest version of Muvizu has an option to allow the user to create static lighting for their scene. Creating static lighting can take a long time to calculate, but it should significantly increase performance in the final scene. The length of time taken will depend on the complexity of your scene. Once lighting is built, the lights in the scene are no longer calculated for the static objects.

You can, of course, also switch back to dynamic lighting if you prefer, and by default, scenes will be dynamically lit.

OBJ importing

The OBJ format is one of the most common 3D object file formats. We have now added support for these files.

Both of these features are available in Muvizu Play. Enjoy!

Hi,Is there a way to implement the movement directing of grouped objects?
And also characters?, that really help a lot.

Thank you

What I meant with character movement is with the key frame, without walking, so I can move a character along with a motorcycle or a car for example...Thank you]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:01:42 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from brunosartori tonyob67 wrote:

Hi,Is there a way to implement the movement directing of grouped objects?
And also characters?, that really help a lot.

Thank you

It is true. I really miss being able to move groups and also be able to create groups between objects and characters]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 19:47:12 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from brunosartori How do I create static lighting ?
I did not find this option in the new version of the program.
Can someone help me?]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 19:45:02 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from tonyob67 MuvizuTeam wrote:

Hi,Is there a way to implement the movement directing of grouped objects?
And also characters?, that really help a lot.

Thank you]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 19:08:35 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
If this works as I hope it does, you've just effectively eliminated one of the biggest obstacles to getting objects into Muvizu!

The static lighting sounds interesting too! Sounds like y'all have been BUSY at Muvizu ! Thanks!]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 18:08:43 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from drewi i'm waiting for it to download...the issue of collision crossed my mind...and will materials and transparency and normal maps and and and.......
edited by drewi on 13/12/2016]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 16:37:21 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic6090-new-release-update-static-lighting-and-obj-import.aspx Message from MuvizuTeam

For those that don't know, a lot of the difference in performance is because game levels use static lighting.

Static lighting is where any objects and lights that do not move have their lighting calculated before the game is started. In these cases “light maps” and “shadows maps” are pre-calculated and saved with the level. When pre-calculating lighting, more sophisticated rendering can be used, and this allows effects like global illumination.

This latest version of Muvizu has an option to allow the user to create static lighting for their scene. Creating static lighting can take a long time to calculate, but it should significantly increase performance in the final scene. The length of time taken will depend on the complexity of your scene. Once lighting is built, the lights in the scene are no longer calculated for the static objects.

You can, of course, also switch back to dynamic lighting if you prefer, and by default, scenes will be dynamically lit.

OBJ importing

The OBJ format is one of the most common 3D object file formats. We have now added support for these files.

Both of these features are available in Muvizu Play. Enjoy!]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 15:55:33 GMT