MotionBuilder (.fbx) import/export

Autodesk FBX asset exchange technology used for Autodesk content creation packages—Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk MotionBuilder, Autodesk Mudbox, and Autodesk Softimage software.

Import

To open, import, insert, and attach a file as a worksession

  1. From the File menu, click Open, Insert, Import, or Worksession > Attach.

  2. In the dialog box, select a supported file type.
  3. Click Open and configure the settings.
    When you open a non-3dm file and save the model, its filename will be the default 3dm filename.

FBX Import Options

Unweld ___ degrees

The minimum angle between mesh polygon normals where unwelding of points should occur.

Open/Import meshes as SubD surfaces

Converts meshes into SubD objects.

Limitation:

Creased edges in Maya FBX files will import as smooth edges.

Rhino may become unresponsive or unstable if the import creates more than 1000 SubD faces.

Import lights

 Imports lights in the file into Rhino.

Import cameras

Imports cameras in the file into Rhino as named views.

Prompt to scale on import

Prompts to scale the imported model if its unit system is different from the current Rhino model.

  • 3DS and FBX imports share some of the settings.
Submit a bug report if unsupported objects are detected in the file

Unsupported objects may appear. If you would be willing to submit a bug report when these objects are detected, check this box.

Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

Import Notes

  • Reads polygon meshes with associated materials and textures.
  • Limited support for NURBS curves and surfaces.
  • Poses, skeletons, and takes are not read because Rhino doesn't have any way to represent them.
  • NURBS objects and patches are currently not imported.

Export

To save as or export a Rhino model

  1. On the File menu, click Export Selected or Save As.
  2. In the dialog box, the Files of type list displays the currently supported file types for export.
  3. In the Files of type box, select the supported file type.
  4. In the File name box, select or type a file name.
  5. Specify what is to be saved.
    6. Options

    Save small

    Though clearing the render meshes makes the file smaller, it will shade and render more slowly the next time you open the file.

    Save geometry only

    Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved. This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

    Save textures

    Embeds external textures used by materials, environments and decals into the model.
    Save plugin data Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.
  6. If the export can be configured, click the Options button to specify export settings.
  7. If the file type creates only mesh objects, in the Polygon Mesh Objects dialog box, specify the mesh settings.

FBX Export Options

Export NURBS objects as

NURBS
Meshes only

Export materials as

Lambert

A material shading type usually used for matt materials that do not have a specular spot. The Gloss finish and Reflectivity settings in Rhino materials are ignored because this shading type does not have specular properties.

Phong

A material shading type usually used for glossy materials that have a specular spot. The Gloss finish and Reflectivity settings in Rhino materials are converted to specular properties.

Information about Lambert and Phong

Export lights
Export views
Export vertex normals

Specifies if mesh vertex normals will be saved to the FBX file.

Map Rhino Z to FBX Y

Rotates the model -90° around the World X axis.

Export file as

Version 7 binary
Version 7 ascii
Version 6 binary
Version 6 ascii
Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

Export Notes

  • Exports meshes with materials and textures.
  • Limited support for NURBS curves and surfaces.

See also

Autodesk FBX