DeleD Community Edition

G-Man · Member Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 13

I've been attempting to import a model that I've created and UV mapped in another package into a level that I'm creating in DeleD so that I can light map it with the rest of the level. Unfortunately, I can not get DeleD to import it with the texture and UV coordinates intact. Is there a way to accomplish this that I'm just too goofy to figure out? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Paul-Jan · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:54 am Post subject:

What method are you using to save/load the data? X export/import, or are you saving it as a prefab and loading it from your prefab tree?

Just noted the title of the topic is "regarding .OBJ file import"... which makes this question rather silly. Sorry for that!

G-Man · Member Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 13

The object is modelled in Silo and saved as a .OBJ file. This .OBJ is then brought into LithUnwrap to be UV mapped. From there, I've saved the object out as a .X, a .3DS and a .OBJ... None of which will preserve the UV mappings and texture assignments when imported using any of the importers under the "Plugins" menu. What do I need to do to accomplish this? I've tried just about every permutation I can can think of and just can't get it to suck these external models in with their textures intact. I mean if y'all were trying to do this, what steps would you do to make it work?

Paul-Jan · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 7:29 pm Post subject:

But you are sure the UV coordinates and textures _are_ saved in these file formats by LithUnwrap?

I know the current incarnation of the OBJ Importer (next version is just around the corner, I am doing some final testing atm) does not yet support importing MTL files and texture coordinates, so that would make sense. However, .3DS and .X importer should support importing texture coordinates just fine. That leaves us with two possible explanations:
1. The information is not saved into the files in the first place
2. The information is stored in such a way that our importers don't interpret it right.

If you are sure the information is there (i.e. you can load the files in any other application and textures do show up), could you please send me a file that does not load as expected (including textures)? My e-mail address is paul [at] delgine [dot] com. Thanks!

Wether or not you get the chance to send me one of the files, I am putting this issue (problem with loading files exported from LithUnwrap) on the todo list anyway. It is just that having some actual files suffering from the problem would be very beneficial for the chances of having this issue fixed "soon" (as opposed to "a little less soon") Smile

nextdoorscat · DeleD PRO user Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 187

Lithunwrap is an outdated program (not sure if it was a beta?) that has now been replaced by Ultimate Unwrap 3D. It is basically the same program but bigger, better, and more sophisticated, and it goes for $49.95 these days.

I used to use Lithunwrap a long time ago before UU3D came out but only ever saved to .obj format, it saved perfectly on that, and all textures saved in the obj and mtl files imported ok into other programs ok.

I have not had much computer time recently so have not had the chance to even upgrade to DeleD 1.35 let alone try out importing .X or .3DS textures but will certainly give it a go on some test models I have textured in UU3D when I get a moment, and let you know.

Daaark · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:36 pm Post subject:

nextdoorscat · DeleD PRO user Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 187

Right.... using my DeleD 1.32 version and using my Ultimate Unwrap3D Version 2.18....

Textures are importing nicely on the .3DS model, but getting nothing on the .X model. Hope this helps! Smile

(edits) I lost my password, so cant update to most recent version of DeleD. Can someone help please! Crying or Very sad

Also Ultimate Unwrap 3D is now on version 2.24, but I've just gone back and checked, and as far as I can tell, I dont think their upgrades affect the .X export, but I am no expert in these things!

Paul-Jan · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:59 am Post subject:

Ah, thanks guys for the help clearing this up!

So, for now, a functional work-flow would be to export to 3DS and import into DeleD.

Soon (as soon as I get the new OBJ importer finished), .OBJ will follow. Nextdoorscat has been asking for this as well, so I'll try to make haste Smile

Our .X importer apparently doesn't handle the textures right. Will take a look at that! (If anyone could send me a .X export from this program including textures, that would be great... I don't think the demoversion allows exports, does it?)

@Nextdoorscat: We'll get your login data to you asap!

nextdoorscat · DeleD PRO user Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 187

Consider it sent.... Cool

Thanks for the login details, will get upgraded soon as poss. Smile

(edits)

@ G-man - If you cannot get it to work in .3DS format from Lithunwrap then I dont know what to suggest... if it works for .3DS models saved from UU3D, then my bet is that the problem lies with how its being exported from Lithunwrap. I dont think Lithunwrap is available or supported any more by its creator, but you could try contacting him at Ultimate Unwrap3D for advice, you never know...

G-Man · Member Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 13

E-mailed example model as per your request... I did try the .3DS importer and that works, but using the .3DS format bloats the number of vertices in the object. In a simple cube, one would expect to find 8 vertices, but in a .3DS there are 36 vertices (an inherent problem with the .3DS format since a vert can only belong to a single face).