Converting a Model with Animations into iProp Format

Some model files of specific formats may contain animations. You can use 3DXchange to embed these animations into the model and convert the model into an iProp for use in iClone.

Video Tutorial: DAZ

The supported file formats for this pipeline are:

Generating Animation Clips

Since the original animation clips are all merged into one-single clip after the model is loaded, you must first manually split them into individual clips:

1. Load a model file of the format described above with Transform animations. The animation will be listed in the Motion Library. You may select the animation in the list and click the Play button to see the transform animation.
2. 3DXchange will automatically add this animation into the Perform Editor.
   
3. Click on the Start or End fields of the item in the Perform Editor and type in the frame numbers to assign a range for this item.
   
   Alternatively, you may use the mark in and mark out triangles under the time slider to form the range.
   
4. Click the Add to Perform button in the Motion Library to add the animation into the Perform Editor again.
5. Repeat last steps until the original animation is split into different animation clips.
   
6. Export (Ctrl + E) the model as an iProp (.iProp).
7. Load into iClone. Right click on the iProp and all the animation clips you have added will be listed in the Perform entry of the right-click menu.
   

Loading and Sampling (for Bone-skinned FBX only)

1. Load a bone-skinned FBX model file with bone-offset animations.

2. A message prompt will appear as below:

   

   • Enable the Import Animation box and type in the number you want to sample per second. The higher the value, the more details will be extracted from the original animation.

   • Enable the Smooth Curve and type in a time range if you want to eliminate the severe-rotation-change issue within that range. The unit value is milli-seconds.

   Play back to sequentially view all the animation clips.

Note:

• You may also modify the material of a selected mesh node before converting the model into a prop. Please refer to Material Section for more information.