Guided Import Parameters

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When using the Guided import to import files in Pixyz Studio, a dedicated window is opened, listing some parameters (or options), which modulate the import process depending on how they are set.

Find below more information for each parameter available.

Tip

Each parameter description is directly available in tooltips: simply move the mouse over each parameter to display its dedicated tooltip

File(s)

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The File(s) parameter is used to choose the list of files to import. One or several files can be imported at once.

Importing multiple files at once with the Guided import

  • When doing so, all files are first imported, and then processed all together. Importing them all at once allows the import process to be parallelized, in most cases (more efficient than importing one after the other)
  • Importing multiple files at once is relevant when a 3D model is shattered in multiple files. This way the complete model will be processed as if it were combined in a single file, allowing for example the creation of continuous UVs, or the creation of instantiated parts when subparts are repeated inside the model, etc.
  • Careful though when importing multiple at once models that have nothing to do with each other, as the data preparation will try to find some inexistent connection between them. In this regard, the Guided import is not a batching tool: it is only meant to help processing one model at a time as correctly as possible
  • When importing multiple files, it is recommended to import one file format at a time (for example, only Catia files, or only FBX files)

Importing .pxz files or PointCloud files with the Guided import

  • When importing a .pxz file through the Guided import, no automatic data preparation process is run on it. It is only imported as a subfile within the current scene. It is equivalent to importing it with the Raw import mode.
  • Importing a PointCloud file (extensions .e57, .pts, .ptx, .rcs, .rcp) through the Guided import is equivalent to importing it with the Raw import mode: no automatic data preparation process is run on it. To perform more optimization on a PointCloud, use the functions available in the Point Cloud menu.
Tip

Hover the mouse over the text Files selected to see the list of input files as a tooltip

Position and Scale

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When importing a 3D model in Pixyz Studio, the goal is to a get model that has a correct absolute scale (e.g. a car should be a few meters long), and that is not tilted to the side, or mirrored.

In the below example, the train is only 1/10th of its correct size, and it is tilted: meaning its Coordinate system and units are not correctly matched with Studio's.

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Position and Scale parameters help properly positioning, orienting and scaling the imported model, to match Pixyz Studio's own configuration:

  • The coordinate system is right-handed, Y is the up-axis
  • Units are millimeters (mm)
Parameter label Parameter description
Model Orientation (Up-axis) Image
Defines how the imported model's orientation (or Coordinate system) is evaluated, to be correctly converted to match Pixyz Studio's own system (right-handed, Y is the Up-axis).
Possibles values:
  • Automatic orientation: If Automatic Orientation is enabled, Pixyz Studio performs an automatic conversion.
  • Manual orientation: Use Manual Orientation if the automatic detection does not work: fill in the characteristics about the imported file's coordinate system to help Studio convert the file correctly:
    • Z-Up: If enabled, you are telling Studio that the original orientation for the file you are importing is Z-up, so it will use the information to fix the orientation. If disabled, you tell Studio the original orientation for the file you are importing is Y-up
    • Left-handed: If enabled, you are telling Studio that the original Coordinate system for the file you are importing is Left-handed, so it will use the information to fix the orientation. If disabled, you tell Studio the original orientation for the file you are importing is Y-up

Additional information:
  • When importing multiple files, the same setup for Model Orientation is used for all the files of the list
  • Once you found the correct Model Orientation setup with the file format you are used to import in Studio (same format or source), create a Preset to use them again
  • Once a model is imported in Studio, the up-orientation can still be fixed if the model is tilted (or mirrored). To do so, right-click the first node of your imported model in the Product Structure, and use the commands Flip Up-axis from Z-up to Y-up or Revert Up-axis from Y-up to Z-up
Model scale (units) Image
Defines how the imported model' scale and units are evaluated, to be correctly converted to match Pixyz Studio's own units (mm).
Possibles values:
  • Automatic scale: If Automatic scale is enabled, Pixyz Studio performs an automatic units conversion, and applies a corrective scale if required.
  • Manual scale: Use Manual Scale if the automatic detection does not work: for example set a 0.1 scale value to convert a file in centimeters to millimeters.
    • Scale: value applied to the root node of the imported file to adjust its scale and match Studio's units/scale
Snap to ground Automatically snaps/moves the imported model onto the ground of the scene (on the grid).
This parameter changes the imported model's original position relatively to the origin, in the upward direction (Y-axis).
Additional information: Do not use this option to preserve the model's original absolute position
Center to origin Automatically centers the imported model to the origin of the scene. This parameter changes the imported model's original position relatively to the origin, in all directions.
Additional information: Do not use this option to preserve the model's original absolute position.

Tessellation quality

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Tessellation is the process of converting CAD models into meshes, usable by any 3D app.

See more information about this very important concept when it comes to obtaining a perfect mesh quality from CAD models in the About Tessellation section.

The Tessellation Quality can be set using 2 modes:

  • Use preset: With Use preset, the user chooses a preset to define the final mesh quality: Very High, High, Medium and Low.

    The values used for each preset are the same as the ones used in the Tessellate function: see About Tessellation for more information

  • Use custom values: With Use custom values, tessellation values can be set by the user, for the 3 tessellation parameters Max Sag, Max Length and Max Angle.

The

Note

Note that the Tessellation process is ignored when importing files containing only meshes (polygonal or 3D printing models for example), or Point clouds: this Tessellation process does not affect or change them, nor does it extend the processing time.

Other options

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This section lists interesting optional parameters that can be enabled for more control at import:

Parameter label Parameter description
Re-orient faces If enabled, Pixyz Studio tries to orient model's faces (normals) consistently so they face the proper direction.
Do not use this option if the original's model face orientation is already correct, as the process may destroy it.
If the model is not 100% properly oriented after import, use the several functions from the Mesh menu to fix face orientation:
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Preserve original UVs UVs](UVsMenu.md) applied to a mesh are used to properly display materials using texture maps.
If Preserve Original UVs is enabled, Pixyz Studio imports the UVs included in the imported meshes (on any channel), and creates UVs on meshes that do not have any UVs (by a 400x400x400mm Bounding Box projection on channel 0, using [UV Projection On Bounding Box).
If the parameter is disabled, all UVs (from any channel) are destroyed and new ones are created (same Bounding Box projection).
Remove duplicated meshes Use to remove duplicate/superimposed meshes (meaning multiple similar parts being superimposed).
Do not use this option if the imported model includes different configurations of the same model, resulting in intentionally duplicate parts

Optional Parameters

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This section lists interesting optional advanced parameters that can be enabled for more control at import:

Parameter label Parameter description
Import lines Use to import the lines (which can be CAD curves or polylines) that are included in the imported model and that are important to import and preserve
Import points Use to import the points (which can be CAD points or free points, used as references for example) that are included in the imported model and that are important to import and preserve.
No need to enable this parameter when importing Point clouds.
Import hidden Use to import the parts that are originally hidden in the imported model.
They are imported but not made visible though.
Import PMI Use to import the PMI attached to the imported model (applicable for relevant CAD models only)
Import variants Use to import the variants attached to the imported model (applicable for relevant CAD models only)
Use alternative importer Some 3D/CAD formats handled by Pixyz Studio can be imported through 2 different importing technologies (or libraries).
When one file/model is not properly imported, or not imported at all, using this parameter allows you to test importing through an alternative importer and having better luck (providing the format offers an alternative importer).