FBX export / import workflow tutorial

[Whitenorthstar]

I've had a good look around, and haven't found a good and definitive guide or tutorial on FBX exporting and importing. It seems like FBX is the future, and that Actor X and ASE are history, because FBX workflow is much faster (includes materials and textures).

It might cover things like:

• Preparing multi-sub materials in 3ds Max (or whatever)
• FBX export settings for UDK in 3ds Max (or whatever)
• FBX import settings in UDK
• Re-assembling materials and textures in UDK (if necessary)

Does anyone have time to put together a definitive written or video tutorial on FBX? It would be much appreciated. Of course, I stand corrected if there is one already, but I've been looking quite a lot.

[Synaesthesia]

My workflow for use in Maya:

(preparation: settings = Z-up)
1. Build model.
2. Apply any maya texture to model on parts -- codependent on if you're using one material for everything or not. If you're using more than 1 material on an FBX in UDK, youll need to apply separate maya textures and UVs to said meshes. (a bit unclear I know, but once you do this like 3 or 4 times, youll understand).
3. Combine all things relative.
4. UV's ------ uhhhhhhhhh, yeah, this one is pretty much a gigantic project in and of itself, not gonna get in to that. Automatic mapping if its cubular (a new word I just made up), planar mapping for organic stuff.
5. Select all models: center pivot, ensure its location is at the origin.
6. Triangulate.
7. Check face normals.
8. Delete object history.
9. Save scene (maya's save file).
10. Export as FBX -- make sure "explicit normals" button is checked or UDK won't import it properly.

[GninjaGnome]

I'd also like to see an article on how to get the most out of your FBX files.

Good tips Synaesthesia, but something more in depth would be nice.

[jamiet]

yeah you don't have to set the scene Z up if you don't want too
and you don't need to triangulate.

animations are exported one at a time when using fbx unfortunately. No support for treating clips or ranges as 'takes' as of yet?

mesh naming for exporting custom collisions

UBX_meshName = simple box collision
USP_meshName = sphere collision (may not work?)
UCX_meshName = convex collision hull (you can have multiple collision hulls per mesh if you use a numbering suffix.. useful for more complicated static meshes)

LOD naming I havent figured out yet.. is broken at this stage

[Devilshark]

Hello,

I'm sorry because I newbie in UDK but I have a probleme to exporter from 3DS.

When I import a static mesh in UDK I have all the time the same message :

"The light map UV set for static mesh [StaticMeshFactory_1] appears to have layout problems. Either the triangle UVs are overlapping one other or the UV are out of bounds (0.0 - 1.0 range)"

Do you have an idea ?

[Devilshark]

Ok, I have this : http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=750005

[Devilshark]

Ok, I've find this : http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=750005

[Whitenorthstar]

Thank you everyone for your contribution so far.

What we have is a good start, but I'm still hoping for the definitive FBX workflow tutorial... covering all the angles.


PS. hi Devilshark - Just start a new thread with your question (instead of hijacking this one, with a different question) and I'll be pleased to help you out. It looks like you need to lay out your UV map. You might start by looking here: http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=750005. ;-)

[GninjaGnome]

If you do find it, be sure to post a link. I'm currently looking also so I'll do the same