Importing Models from 3ds Max – Smooth Groups?

ZveroboyPripyat

I would like to export a number of models from 3ds Max and import them into Daz Studio. From what I understand, Daz Studio only imports models saved in either the .obj format or the .fbx format. While 3ds Max can export models in these formats, I have found that the smoothing groups I labored to define in 3ds Max are not preserved or somehow corrupt upon import of models into Daz Studio.  The smoothing groups are corrupt with import of both .fbx and .obj model formats.

So here is my question: Is there any way to preserve the smooth groups established in 3ds Max when importing .fbx or .obj models into Daz Studio? Perhaps some way to prevent Daz Studio from altering model smoothing on import?

And as a last resort/option - could the smoothing groups be redefined in Daz Studio via similar functionality I may be unaware of?

To better illustrate this issue, I have included several screenshots from the viewport (not actual renders) as an example below. The pictures were taken in perspective view with no scene lights (default lighting) in all cases/programs. Notice how different the model appears in 3ds Max compared to Daz Studio after import.

 

Image 1: 3DS Max prior to export 

 

Image 2: Daz Studio after import - .obj format

 

Image 3: Daz Studio after import - .fbx format

 

 

 

Stonemason

DAZ Studio doesn't read the smooth groups on import..but you can adjust the smoothing angles via the surfaces ..see attached pic for example

ZveroboyPripyat

Stonemason -Thank you very much for responding and pointing out that feature under the surface parameters. I am still rather new to Daz Studio so I was unaware of this capability. I also want to say that I greatly admire the quality releases you have put up in the Daz Store - really amazing work! Honored to hear from you!

After playing around with the smooth angle for the surface, I was able to achieve improved - but far less than ideal - results. Having some measure of control over smooth groups via a global slider is better than nothing, yet I doubt that there is a global angle/setting which gives perfect results for all parts of a complex model. 

I am rather dissapointed and shocked that Daz Studio cannot read the smooth groups on import. I see this as a real barrier to bringing custom content into Daz Studio. Perhaps this is an obtuse question nobody here can answer, but is there any legitimate reason why the program cannot read the smooth groups? It seems like the .obj and .fbx formats are well established with plenty of capable importers and exporters around for them. How difficult would it be to implement this functionality into the importers? 

I have no experience converting models into the Daz Studio native format (.dsf?), but I would like to know - are there ways to preserve the smoothing groups when converting a model to the Daz Studio format? It also seems like Hexagon is perhaps the most common modelling software for Daz? Does Hexagon allow for definition of smoothing groups like 3ds max? Could Hexagon properly import smooth groups from an .obj or .fbx file?

Stonemason

I do my work in 3dsmax so not sure about Hexagon ,when creating content for Daz Studio I try to create seperate materials according to what type of smoothing an item may need,

MDM Artworks

Stonemason said:

I do my work in 3dsmax so not sure about Hexagon ,when creating content for Daz Studio I try to create seperate materials according to what type of smoothing an item may need,

Hello Stonemason, I realize this thread is old and not sure you will even see this. However, I have been modeling for a bit now and am heavily concidering doing this for Daz. Like you i also use 3dsmax "In my case 2011& 2015" I am having a few issues depending on what temperment Daz has on any given day. 1) is the issue of no smoothing groups and 2) the fact that Daz does not seem to retain the way normals are facing "Which may be due to the smoothing issue" this is mainly in Iray however depending on wether i am using a sun lignt, dome lighting only and or emmissives. Each seem to react a bit different. While one light can totaly reck everything "Breaking a surface" the others may display just fine. My question is, Is there a certain way that i should be exporting my models to Daz. I normally use the obj format as apparently the FBX is totaly broken when exporting and importing to Daz "Which is odd, since i have done a test in which i export from daz, open in Max, save the file in Fbx and reimport no issue - Very odd actually, It is as if they do not want you to be able to import". Any how the .obj works and i export like poser y up. It is just that everything seems a bit broke after import to Daz. I tend to model midpoly models to resolve this issue, however even this is hit or miss. What suggestions may you have on how you deal with these issues "Mainly the exporting and importing as i had figured out the hard way about the smoothing groups" I guess i am a bit frustrated lol as in my mind it is very counter productive for a company to go totaly the opposite direction that the rest of the industry has gone. Ue4, i export import and badabing done. Daz import, spend hours getting the model to display at 75% what it does in any other software. Thanks in advance for any insite you may be able to afford me :)

davegv

Hello to all that are looking for answers about 3DS max exporting smoothing groups: 3DS max will export smoothing groups in both FBX and Obj formats.

However, the program importing the Obj or FBX may not have the same implemation of the FBX/OBJ format as the export of 3DS Max. For those that are willing to investigate further there are some suitable methods that work. I export 3DS max OBJ format with smoothing groups and they WILL show up in Daz3D and I will add that the mesh smooth modifier works far better than turbosmooth modifier, and used correctly can yield the same results. Here is a good start:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-forum/help-3ds-max-2017-obj-export-smoothing-groups/td-p/6914154