No color when exporting to OBJ or STL

[j_steenbergen]

Looking through the forums this is an issue that's mentioned time after time but still not solved.

When exporting models to OBJ or STL format, the colors/textures are not properly exported. Some say it is exported but at least it doesn't follow the standards since they're not displayed when viewing the OBJ or STL in a 3rd party viewer. Then you just get a grey model. Note: I already made sure that the checkbox "export colors" is active! But it didn't made any difference. Also, the checkbox is only available when exporting to STL, not when exporting to OBJ.

At first I was very happy when I saw you could use 3D models in PowerPoint, but was really disappointed when I noticed that the  colors are not there.

See other topics:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/inventor-2018-stl-export-colors-lost/td-p/7365318

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/export-to-obj-files-colors-materials-not-working-in-20...

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/help-with-textures-colors-inventor/td-p/7406050

There seems to be a ticket for it that's marked as solved: INVGEN-16100

[dennis.schaperAKPCJ]

Maybe this topic helps. This one also has a solution.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/color-texture-lost-export-to-stl/m-p/5658912#M548766

[j_steenbergen]

I already tried that, but it makes no difference unfortunately..

[JDMather]

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@j_steenbergen wrote:

At first I was very happy when I saw you could use 3D models in PowerPoint, but was really disappointed when I noticed that the  colors are not there.

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Do you have an example assembly or part that you can Attach here?

[j_steenbergen]

Sure, see attachment. I've added the following files:

- source IPT (red color)

- exported OBJ and MTL

- exported STL

- PowerPoint presentation

[JDMather]

I used to teach a class on getting several 3D formats in to MS Office products, but I have to find my notes and I am tied up with other work at the moment.

I did try a quick *.dwfx example, but I forget how to manipulate while in SlideShow.

I have a vague recollection of "Publishing" the PowerPoint to use manipulation in SlidShow.

[j_steenbergen]

Thanks for your answer. But the way I wanted to insert the model in the presentation is by using insert>3D model. That way you can also use dedicated 3D animations like auto rotation. And it supports the whole set of picture formatting like borders, shadows, background colors and so on.

[JDMather]

I guess that you did not understand my response.

[j_steenbergen]

I thought you meant to show another way if importing a model into a PowerPoint presentation. Or am I missing the point?

What I'm saying is that your method (as far as I know) does not support powerpoint animations and formatting. I am not talking about manipulation of the model orientation using the mouse, I'm talking about object animations like 'turn table', 'swing', 'jump & turn'.

[miguel_lopezUUP4Q]

This problem is still not solved in Inventor 2023.

I create a simple model for my classrooms. Exported to .obj without colors/materials, works ok.

Then I add some colors to the faces (it's a very simple model). Exported to .obj and some of the colors are gone.

I attached the files in a zip in order to include the .mtl file that I get in the export process.

Some screenshots of the model in Inventor and in 3D Viewer.

Inventor1:

3D Viewer1:

Inventor2:

3dViewer: