Using Smart Folders

T

TimM

0
Messages
39
Using Smart Folders

Good morning,

I have a question on using smart folders. I am trying to keep track of the various planes and materials in my model that I have created in SketchUp and am importing into Cheetah for rendering. It appears to me that it could be real easy to lose track of what is what after it is imported.

In SketchUp, I am grouping the different objects and naming them in the outliner. Is this the right approach? How do I keep everything organized once I import the model into Cheetah?

Thanks,
Tim
 
TimM said:
I have a question on using smart folders. I am trying to keep track of the various planes and materials in my model that I have created in SketchUp and am importing into Cheetah for rendering. It appears to me that it could be real easy to lose track of what is what after it is imported.

In SketchUp, I am grouping the different objects and naming them in the outliner. Is this the right approach? How do I keep everything organized once I import the model into Cheetah?
Click to expand...

Tim,
When using the .FBX export, the SU groups are maintained (hierarchy and names).
So just organize your model in SU ( eg : a group within a group within another group, etc ... )
 
Where is the .FBX export?

I wasn't seeing the .FBX export in SU 6 but it appears to be only in SU 5. Is there a good export from SU 6?
Thanks,
Tim


Francois said:
Tim,
When using the .FBX export, the SU groups are maintained (hierarchy and names).
So just organize your model in SU ( eg : a group within a group within another group, etc ... )
Click to expand...
 
One other thing...

I kept SU 5 on my computer and did a save as from the SU 6 file. When exporting the .FBX file from SU 5, I noticed that you cannot export the scenes/views. This is something that I need to be able to do. The 3DS export allows for the scenes/views to be exported. I'm just not sure about 3DS with regards to the material and geometry question I had earlier.

Thanks,
Tim


TimM said:
I wasn't seeing the .FBX export in SU 6 but it appears to be only in SU 5. Is there a good export from SU 6?
Thanks,
Tim
Click to expand...
 
TimM said:
I kept SU 5 on my computer and did a save as from the SU 6 file. When exporting the .FBX file from SU 5, I noticed that you cannot export the scenes/views. This is something that I need to be able to do. The 3DS export allows for the scenes/views to be exported. I'm just not sure about 3DS with regards to the material and geometry question I had earlier.
Click to expand...

Yep, camera (SU pages) are not imported yet within C3D and I think Martin has that on his To-Do list.

I should have been a little more accurate :
camera (SU pages) are not imported yet within C3D when using the .FBX format. But they are with .3DS. Thanks Martin for jumping in.
I have a work around that I forgot to add. See my next post.
 
Last edited:
Hi,
camera import should work with .3ds files if you turn it on in the .3ds loader preferences. In FBX they aren't imported yet. Sorry.

Bye,
Martin
 
Martin said:
Hi,
camera import should work with .3ds files if you turn it on in the .3ds loader preferences. In FBX they aren't imported yet. Sorry.

Bye,
Martin
Click to expand...

Thks Martin. My post was not detailed enough. I just edited it. See my next post for the work-around.
 
TimM said:
When exporting the .FBX file from SU 5, I noticed that you cannot export the scenes/views. This is something that I need to be able to do
Click to expand...

I forgot earlier to give you a "trick" I use when I really need the cameras.

- export from SU6 with .FBX format
- make sure you have a saved SKP version of your model before continuing and that your pages are all set correctly
- within SU, delete your model and just export as usual but use the 3DS format. I usually call this "camera.3ds". It's just a file with only the pages/camera.
- import this file into C3D. This will be imported in a folder (check the 3DS import prefs)
- Rotate this folder 90° and adjust the FOV's like in SU.

This process is a little longer than having a direct import with the .FBX but it works.
Enjoy
 
Francois said:
I forgot earlier to give you a "trick" I use when I really need the cameras.

- export from SU6 with .FBX format
- make sure you have a saved SKP version of your model before continuing and that your pages are all set correctly
- within SU, delete your model and just export as usual but use the 3DS format. I usually call this "camera.3ds". It's just a file with only the pages/camera.
- import this file into C3D. This will be imported in a folder (check the 3DS import prefs)
- Rotate this folder 90° and adjust the FOV's like in SU.

This process is a little longer than having a direct import with the .FBX but it works.
Enjoy
Click to expand...

I just did the re-install and the .FBX format is showing up. I'll give your work around a try for the cameras.
Thanks,
Tim
 
Making slow progress...

Hi everyone,

I have been playing around with importing a SketchUp model into a smart folder and keeping the scenes that were created as I modeled. This is working well. I have noticed that I need to adjust the field of view but I think I am getting the hang of it.

One thing that I am having difficulty with is lighting. I can select a light, pick what type of light etc. I try to work simultaneously in plan and elevation to position the light where I think I want it but I am not sure what to use when and why.

Could someone please steer me in the right direction? I have looked in the gallery at some very impressive images. I would like to actually open up a model and note light positions and types and what results are possible with various configurations. I imagine a lot is by trial and error. I would just like a good example to use as a foundation to build on.

Thanks,
Tim
 
TimM said:
I have noticed that I need to adjust the field of view but I think I am getting the hang of it.
Click to expand...
Yes, as I indicated below, you need to adjust the FOV like in SU because, somehow, the 3DS export of camera parameters in SU has its problems too. FOV and image resolutions don't go through the export correctly.
So, use the zoom tool and the vcb to get the FOV value of your scene in SU. Then use this value in C3D.
In addition, if you really want to render exactly the page/scene you have in SU, then you need to change C3D camera width/height parameters with those you have in SU. To get these, simulate a 2D graphic export from SU and uncheck the "Use View Size". The needed weight/height are then displayed.

With these parameters you will have the same window in SU and in C3D.

One thing that I am having difficulty with is lighting. I can select a light, pick what type of light etc. I try to work simultaneously in plan and elevation to position the light where I think I want it but I am not sure what to use when and why.

Could someone please steer me in the right direction? I have looked in the gallery at some very impressive images. I would like to actually open up a model and note light positions and types and what results are possible with various configurations. I imagine a lot is by trial and error. I would just like a good example to use as a foundation to build on.
Click to expand...

Yes, trials and errors ... :smile:
Maybe try first with one light ( Skylight or Area light ) and play with power and shadows. There are also a lot of examples already in the forum. A search should help to locate these. You can also post some of your results and people here will guide you to get better results. I also think that the help files and examples that come with C3D should put you quickly at an acceptable level.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top