Microsoft KB Archive/156780

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

How the Direct3D X Export Conversion Tool Works
Last reviewed: November 27, 1996

Article ID: Q156780

The information in this article applies to:


 * Softimage 3D for IRIX versions 3.5, 3.51
 * Softimage 3D for Windows NT versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.51

SUMMARY
This article explains how the Direct3D X Export tool works and how to view a model with the Direct3D viewer.

MORE INFORMATION
The Direct3D X Export tool is a conversion tool, located in the Tools module, that lets you export polygon mesh objects from Softimage 3D to Direct3D X file format (an ASCII file identified with a .x extension). The converted X-files maintain the hierarchical information of your scene. Even when you export an object without animation, the converter creates an X-file with a hierarchy. The object is treated as a single-frame animation, so you must load it as a "Frame."

If you want to view a model with the Direct3D viewer:


 * 1) Choose Open Frame to load the object. The Direct3D viewer can load non-hierarchical "mesh" files, and hierarchical "Frames" and "Animations." When you choose Open Mesh, it fails, even if there is only one mesh because the meshes are encapsulated in Frame templates.
 * 2) Choose "Open Animation" to view the meshes with animation.
 * 3) To make the Direct3D view output look like Softimage 3D, select the Gourand, RGB model, and Dithering options in the Renderer menu.