Solved: Applying textures to alembic file

docaberle · ‎12-23-2016

I'm exporting an Alembic file from Daz3d, but I'm not sure how to apply the textures. So my workflow is to also export FBX and Alembic formats. Then import both the Alembic and FBX in the same max file. Therefore, I have the textures from FBX. I sampled the multi/sub-object textures from the FBX character so they were in my texture editor, then dragged them onto my alembic character. The alembic objects have the texture applied, but the UV's are off as you can see in the 1 minute video. Any suggestions? This will be awesome if it works.

Alfred.DeFlaminis · ‎12-28-2016

Hello @docaberle,

Thank you for the very informative video, that was great. There is a bug with 2016 logged about Alembic UV's on import from certain apps. It seems this is happening to you. It is fixed in 2017 but 2016 remains affected. There are some things we can try however.

1) You can try to put an unwrap on the character from FBX and save the uvs, then load them onto the alembic. I'm not sure if this will work off the FBX but we can try. It's possible they are tessellated differently I suppose coming out of Daz and if so it'll fail, but if not this should work.

2) I can create a private folder for you to put your files and I can import the character into 2017 and save down to 2016 to see if that will work. I did a test and it seems to work but my export was from Max and not Daz3D. I'm happy to try it however if you'd like.

Best Regards,

docaberle · ‎12-28-2016

I would appreciate you trying to export a character from Daz3d (Genesis 3 if possible) in FBX and Alembic and see if you can get the textures to work out. I have 3dsMax 2017 as well. I license the Entertainment Suite. I'm not a full time animator. I'm a chiropractor with an engineering background so I'm not super skilled with Max.

I need to get a nice character into 3dsMax with high resolution and detail for close ups of the characters hands and Daz has the models that fit. I'm also playing around with iClone, but getting their stuff into 3dsMax isn't working perfectly although their Alembic UV stuff works almost perfectly with allowing different material ID assignments. But I really like their software. I have a full spine skeleton in 3dsMax that is nicely articulated and boned so that when I move the sternum, all the ribs move with it as it would in real life. This is why I have to get this model into Max.

I just tried again exporting a clothed character from Daz3d and importing it into Max 2017 with the most recent updates and the FBX file is showing black again. When I do a naked character it worked. I would appreciate you trying on your end. There's clearly something I'm doing wrong.

Here's a quick video to show you my workflow if you're interested: http://screencast.com/t/157NX9X7

The nice thing about the alembic is that clothing morphs work perfect since it's a vertex exact export.

Here's iClone's Alembic fix they've done: https://www.reallusion.com/iclone/alembic/

Alfred.DeFlaminis · ‎12-28-2016

Hello @docaberle,

Unfortunately I can't install non-Autodesk products like that on my machine without going through IT so exporting them personally isn't going to be an option for me. What I can do however is investigate your specific files going into Max. I will also stick with this, so I'm not going anywhere and I'll answer all your questions as best I can.

The UV issue specifically should not occur on 2017 if updated, in my tests it does not. From your video it does look like the UV's are fine now except for the noted issue of multiple uvs and limits of alembic exports. Maybe the UV's could be fixed in Max though, it's worth a shot. They probably exist outside of the normal UV square and can be moved back in rather easily. I'd be happy to test on that but I'd need access to the file.

Also we have the problem of how it shows in the viewport. My first thought is that maybe we can try a different display driver mode in 3ds Max, such as DX9. It could be that there is a mix material or some kind of blend material that is unsupported in high quality mode in use on the character. It would really help a lot if I could get my hands on those Alembics and/or FBX files. I could create a private folder if you'd prefer it and delete it once we're all set in here.

Looks like some really cool stuff you're up to with this, I'd like to get you sorted out. Thanks for the video again!

Best Regards,

docaberle · ‎12-28-2016

Thank you for helping me with this and yes set up the folder and I'll send you the files. As for the display settings I was using Nitrous Direct 11 and Nitrous Direct 9 with no change. Also Nitrous Software and Legacy Open GL with no change. There was legacy 3d as an option too, but didn't try it.

Alfred.DeFlaminis · ‎12-28-2016

Hello @docaberle,

Thanks for trying that for me. That leaves materials which I will look at! I have set up a private folder for you if you'd like to upload your files there. You should get an email about it shortly, and if you don't see it please check your SPAM folder. These files are private and will not be shared with anyone but yourself and the support staff. Please let me know if you have any questions. Please use at least an 8 character password or the Box account may not work properly.

Best Regards,

docaberle · ‎12-28-2016

I'm adding two fbx files and two alembic files. The alembic's should be identical. The fbx's I believe are two different formats. One being 2014 binary and the other 2011 binary export options. Not sure which one you thought would be best. But one of these files I sent you the video on so you know how I exported them.

The upload said these files failed to upload:

ArmaniHairCapTex01.jpg
ArmaniHairStrandsTex01.jpg
RyEddie_eyesB_1007.jpg

I doubt that will matter much, but if you need them let me know. They're probably duplicated in the other folder anyway.

Alfred.DeFlaminis · ‎12-29-2016

Hello @docaberle,

I went to the folder and it's currently empty. I'm not sure what happened there but if the Box is acting up you can also transmit the files with WeTransfer or something along those lines and PM (private message) me a link and I'll happily download them. Thank you very much for that!

Best Regards,

docaberle · ‎12-29-2016

Now I figured it out. I just didn't upload into our shared folder. I'm used to dropbox so this should have been obvious to me. Sorry about that.

Alfred.DeFlaminis · ‎12-30-2016

Hello @docaberle,

No problem at all, these things happen. I was able to check out the file and I'm confident that this is fixable. There may be some settings you might test coming out of Daz but I recorded a video here to show my process as I was going though the files and I did my best to detail what is going on here and how to fix it. At one point I said "eyeballs" when I meant "eyelashes". Just a heads up. I try to keep my movie times to 10 minutes or less but this took me a good 17 or so minutes to fully detail and I do things more than once to reinforce the information. Please let me know if you have any questions, I am happy to help.

Best Regards,

docaberle · ‎12-31-2016

Wow, your video explanation was incredible. I'm going to be trying this today and now that you've explained everything it makes so much more sense. I also know what to look for in the Daz export settings so maybe I can shorten a lot of these steps. I'll keep you posted and thanks for your help. I've never seen this level of support from a company before. Kudos to you and Autodesk.

Alfred.DeFlaminis · ‎01-03-2017

Hello @docaberle and Happy New Year!

Thanks so much for your kind words, that really means a lot to me! It is my pleasure to help you in any way possible. Please let me know if you have any questions. I will leave the Box folder until I know that your issue has been solved and you can always come here to the Area for any future questions and I'll happily help. Thanks again for the kind words!

Best Regards,

docaberle · ‎01-03-2017

Hi Alfred,

I imported a Genesis 2 character and had less problems which was great. I made a YouTube video showing this workflow and mentioned this post and you in it. Hopefully that's ok. You helped me a lot. When I learn things I like to make YouTube videos to help others.

Alfred.DeFlaminis · ‎01-03-2017

Hello @docaberle!

This is really cool! I don't mind at all if you share, link, download, adopt some of it, or change it all! I'm here to help and that's my only concern. You can get to that video at this page for embed links or whatever, and I have more videos here. It's really cool that you did that for the Daz and Max community and I think you have a great way to presenting information. Thanks very much for sharing this! If you ever need anything in the future, I'm here for you.

It seemed like it was all good now in the video but I wanted to confirm that you problem was solved. Anything I missed or that is still causing issues? Thanks!

Best Regards,

docaberle · ‎01-03-2017

Yes, all my questions were answered very well. You helped me complete a really cool project. Thank you very much. I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future.

Alfred.DeFlaminis · ‎01-04-2017

Hello @docaberle,

Thank you very much for the confirmation. I'm going to remove the Box folder in order to protect your privacy, but I can always create another one if you need anything. Thanks so much for taking the time to update me in this thread! Have a great week!

Best Regards,

jaysamurai79 · ‎08-16-2023

Hi are you still available to help. I'm struggling to texture my alembic in Max. Do you have Discord also? Thx