Import & Export

Amorphium 3 will import most of the common file types, along with it's native format and Universe's file type ( Fact ) ESP files are also supported for importing. Amorphium 3 will export most of the common file types, along with it's native format and Universe's file type.

The Import and Export options are found on the File menu.


Importing
When importing into Amorphium a standard OS open dialog will appear to locate the object to be imported. The file type option can be used to select specific types, or the all types option will show all supported types.


Once an object is selected the import options menu will appear. There are two tabs on the Import Options Menu. One for transforming the object and one for intruding EPS files.


The transform tab is used for changing some of the properties of the import.
Object Type: has two selections, one to import as a normal mesh object, the other to import as a tin object. The tin option will set the import up as tin with a cage so it can be worked on in the Tin work space.

Mesh

Tin

Transform: these option can be used to fix differences between program to program inconsistencies. Like size differences, axes differences, and normal differences.
This boy was exported out of Poser 4 as OBJ.


When imported into Amorphium, he was so small he couldn't be seen. So The scale option was set to 500.000. Which fix the size difference, but he's facing the wrong way and he's left and right sides have be switched.


So the scale and mirror Z options where used, which fix the size and direction differences, but now the normals seem to be reversed, which make his face feature distorted.


Using the Scale, Mirror Z and Invert options the boy was imported with all the program to program differences fixed.


Extrude Outlines: this tab is used to set-up how EPS files will be imported, the transform tab will also effect how EPS files are imported.


Sets the bevel size between faces, ( Front, Back, sides )

Determines how far the Z axes will extrude.

For setting what type extrusion will occur.

2D No Sides

3D Has Sides

3D Creased Has Sides With Bevels

Filled option will fill an outline which uses two closed lines.

Illustrator Lines

No Fill

Filled

Color options for Faces, Bevel, and Sides.

Quality will determine how many polygons and vertices the object will have. There are preset values or the values can be typed in for custom setting. The lower the value = higher polygon & vertex counts.

When importing object that contain hierarchies, the hierarchy may be flatten depending on the file type being imported, or all objects will be linked to one object ( the first object listed in the file, which may not be the first object in the hierarchy ) The native file type ( Amorphium ) will contain the hierarchy just as it was exported.

Exporting
Amorphium 3 will export to most of the common file types. Texture maps can also be exported with the object, when any local shaders or imported textures are used on the object. Some file types also export an MTL file which include mapping information. Paint can not be exported as a texture map. Paint information will be saved to file types that support painted or color vertices, those file types are Amorphium 1 & 2 ( CMF ), Electric Image ( Fact ) , and Lightwave 2.0 ( LWO ). When paint information is saved in an exported file, the program it's imported into must also support painted or color vertices for the paint to be seen.

The options on the export menu are used to select what objects and how they will be exported.


Export Object is used to select which objects will be exported. When a child object is selected all of it's parent objects are automatically selected to.

Is where exporting a texture map with the object is set-up.

To export a texture map with the object one of the format types needs to be selected.

Sets the size ( dimensions ) of the texture map.

Scales the size of the object when exported.

Exports a cage with the object so it can be edited in other programs that support cage editing.

Once the export menu is set-up, the export button is selected which brings up an OS save dialog where a location, name and file type is selected.





This interface tutorial is written and provided by : Stephen Ray