Microsoft KB Archive/160201

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Exporting a Form-Z Scene to Softimage 3D
Last reviewed: December 2, 1996

Article ID: Q160201

The information in this article applies to:


 * Softimage 3D for IRIX, versions 2.66, 3.0, 3.5, 3.51

SUMMARY
The preferred conversion method for exporting a Form-Z scene to Softimage 3D, is OBJ (Wavefront format). The latest version of Form-Z also adjusts your units such that:

1 Form-Z cm = 1 SOFTIMAGE unit

MORE INFORMATION
The following procedure is provided to show you how to export a Form-Z scene for use in Softimage 3D.

Export Procedure

 * 1) Export by object (not by group or layer) to prevent the objects from merging when they are imported.
 * 2) Change your newlines to UNIX so that Softimage 3D will not have to translate each model during import.
 * 3) Export translation- Scale x = -1.0 but leave y and z at 1.0.

Possible Problems

 * If your scene contains objects with the same name, Softimage 3D will crash upon import. Make sure each object in your scene has a unique name. To check this, open the object control window by double-clicking at the top of the object list. To sort the object list alphabetically, click the Sort button. Change the name of any objects that have the same name.
 * Certain types of geometric objects, mainly solids with holes, may import in such a way that texturing becomes difficult. If strange diagonal lines appear on the face of an object, it may be necessary to remodel it in Softimage 3D.