The
Mudbox file format architecture was substantially changed for Mudbox 2009
to improve interactive performance using models with much larger polygon
counts. Unfortunately, the .mud files from Mudbox version 1.0.7
or earlier are not upward compatible with Mudbox 2009 or later versions.
The following techniques
describe how to transfer sculpted models from Mudbox 1.0.7 (and
earlier versions) to later Mudbox versions using the .obj file format.
NoteIt is recommended
that you do not upgrade your Mudbox application while in the middle
of a production project.
File transfer using .obj
file format and re-creating the subdivision levels
This technique requires
you to output two .obj files from the Mudbox 1.0.7 version model:
One from the base subdivision level, and the second from the highest
subdivision level that contains your sculpted detail. You then import these
two files into your newer version of Mudbox after you recreate the same
subdivision level structure as in your original Mudbox 1.0.7 file.
Use the steps in this
section if your Mudbox version 1.0.7 or earlier file contained multiple
subdivision levels and was not using local subdivision on the model.
If the model used the Subdivide Selection feature
(obsolete as of Mudbox 2009), these instructions will not work and
you’ll need to use the second method described in
File transfer using the Sculpt Model Using Displacement Map feature.
- Launch Mudbox 1.0.7 (or earlier) and
open the file you want to transfer to the newer version of Mudbox.
- Using the Page Down key,
step down to display the base subdivision level for the model.
- Using the Objects selection
tool (Select/Move Tools tray), select
the model then select File > Export Selection.
- Enter a name for the model, ensuring
that you’ll be able to differentiate it from the second model you’ll
output from the highest subdivision level (for example, <name_level0.obj>)
the click Save.
- Using the Page Up key,
step up to display the highest subdivision level for the model.
- Using the Objects selection
tool (Select/Move Tools tray), select
the model then select File > Export Selection
- Enter a name for the second file ensuring
you’ll be able to differentiate it from the first model you output
from the base subdivision level. For example, <name_level5.obj>.
- Exit Mudbox 1.0.7.
- Launch the newer version of Mudbox and
open the file you saved from the base subdivision level for the
model. For example, <name_level0.obj>.
At this point, you have
the same base subdivision level of the model as your model from
Mudbox 1.0.7.
- Using the Mesh > Add New Subdivision
Level (Hotkey: Shift + D) feature, create the same number
of subdivision levels as the original model contained in Mudbox
1.0.7. (In this example, 5 levels.)
Keep the highest subdivision
level active for the next step.
- With the highest subdivision level active,
select File > Import As Layer. Ensure
the Match by: Vertex ID option
is selected, and import the highest subdivision level model. In
this example, <name_level5.obj>.
This recreates the highest
subdivision level of the Mudbox 1.0.7 model in the newer version
of Mudbox. When you step down using the Page Down key,
you will see all of the sculpted information on subdivision levels
in between.
File transfer using the
Sculpt Model Using Displacement Map feature
This technique requires
you to output one .obj file from the Mudbox 1.0.7 version model:
the base subdivision level, and then from the highest subdivision
level on the model, extract a high resolution displacement map that contains
your sculpted detail. You then import these two files into the newer version
of Mudbox after you recreate the same subdivision level structure
as in the original Mudbox 1.0.7 file.
Use the steps in this
section only if your Mudbox version 1.0.7 (or earlier) model contained
local subdivision. That is, if the model used the Subdivide Selection feature
(obsolete as of Mudbox 2009). Otherwise, the instructions described
in the previous section can be used.
- Launch Mudbox 1.0.7 (or earlier) and
open the file you want to transfer to a newer version of Mudbox.
- Using the Page Down key,
step down to display the base subdivision level for the model.
- Using the Objects selection
tool (Select/Move Tools tray), select
the model then select File > Export Selection.
- Enter a name for the model. For example,
<name_level0.obj>.
- Using the Page Up key,
step up to display the highest subdivision level for the model.
- From the main menu, select Maps
> Extract Texture Map > New Operation.
The
Extract Texture Maps window appears. You need to extract
a displacement map of the sculpt features that appear on the highest
level.
- To extract a displacement map, refer
to the instructions in
Extract a normal or displacement map.
For best results, ensure you output a displacement map that is 32
bits in depth. (For an explanation on bit depth, see
Image bit depth and texture extraction).
- Exit Mudbox 1.0.7.
- Launch the newer version of Mudbox and
open the file you saved from the base subdivision level for the
model. That is, <name_level0.obj>.
At this point, you should
have the same base subdivision level of the model that was in Mudbox
1.0.7.
- From the main menu, select Maps
> Sculpt Model Using Displacement Map > New Operation.
The Sculpt
Model Using Map window appears.
- To apply the displacement map to the
model, refer to the instructions in
Sculpt using a displacement map.
NoteEnsure you set the Displace
To Level option to a value that matches the same number
of subdivision levels as the original model. For example, if the
displacement map was extracted from Level 5 in the Mudbox 1.0.7,
set the Displace to Level option to
5.
This recreates the highest
subdivision level of the Mudbox 1.0.7 model in the later version
of Mudbox. When you step down using the Page Down key,
you will see all of the sculpted information on subdivision levels
in between.
