Wings --> Cinema4d import/export problem

#1

I picked up Cinema4d 8.5 XL last weekend, so I havent ran through all the miles of manual pages yet, but I I’m having an export problem that I was hoping someone could help with.

I create a simple cube with each side extrude to the same size, and exported it to .3ds and .obj, but when I open the object in another program half the faces are reverse normals.

How can I correct this?

Please don’t tell me to go and flip every face.

The programs I tried opening the object in were

  • Wings3D
  • Marble Clay
  • Anim8or

I’d like to use Cinema4d with Wings, the other programs were just to test to see it it was just wings or all programs.

//negative9//

#2

Could you please tell me what “normals” are?

Thank You :slight_smile:

#3

I use Wings and Marbleclay frequently to create models exported as obj for Cinema8.5 and have had no problems at all. Can you elaborate on your problem…Are you having the normals flipping when creating a model in wings and importing to Cinema or the other way around?By the way, never use 3ds as it will triangulate your meshes…

#4

To reverse the normals in C4D,just select the object,
go to polygon mode,and hit v or right click to bring up the menu thing.
Then go reverse normals there.
And you might have to click on align normals as well,
if not all of’em are facing the same direction.

Or you can fix it in wings maybe:
Body mode–>Right click–>Invert to flip normals in wings.

Good luck,and hope you enjoy C4D :slight_smile:
I’ve got 8.2 and it’s great stuff…have to scrape the money together to get the 8.5 upgrade…
The new material system is pretty sweet,
I especially like the way they integrated baker and dirtyNuts.

#5

i to have never had any problem when i model in wings and bring to C4d. I have however had problems with models i that reverse scale that the normals are flipped in wings. In C4d i cant tell till i render and i dont see 1 half of my model :smiley:

#6

Actually bringing models in from wings gives me no problems , it is only if I create the object in Cinema4d then export over to work with in wings.

Obviously, the model looks fine in Cinema 4d.

But wings, and all those other freeware programs, all seem to take half the model and reverse the normals.

I’ll up load a sample file and some pics to show you better what I’m talking about.

I have however had problems with models i that reverse scale that the normals are flipped in wings. In C4d i cant tell till i render and i dont see 1 half of my model

That is exactly, but in reverse effect. Only Half the model.

right click to bring up the menu thing.
Then go reverse normals there.
And you might have to click on align normals as well,
if not all of’em are facing the same direction.

Did that…no go, but the normals look fine in Cinema4d, it is just in Wings they seem disrupted.

Could you please tell me what “normals” are?

Basicly, ‘normal’ or ‘normals’ refer to the direction the surface is facing.
Think of a cover to a book, the cover is only the cover on one side on the opposite side of the cover it is usaully just white, but in 3d it is invisable, thus you can only see the model from the normal facing or if normals are facing out.

In Wings you can see this best if you create and select a cube, hide grid lines and axis, and go to VIEW > SHOW NORMALS. You should see little blue line pointing in the direction the surface is facing.

That’s my try at explaining it anyway…anybody else

Thanx for the responses. I play some more.

//negative9//

#7

have you tried rendering your object in c4d? does it render fine. cause it looks fine for me too. but when i render is when i notice something is wrong. Also you might wana try this. create a null put a copy of your object in it then reverse scale the null then take it out. Your object shouldnt be reversed scaled, and you get a good symmetry. Ive tried it with a few things and it seemed to work. Then export to obj and seeif it opens in wings fine. Or if your using symmetry or reverse scale why not just send half of your model to wings anyhow and mirror within wings?

#8

have you tried rendering your object in c4d? does it render fine. cause it looks fine for me too. but when i render is when i notice something is wrong. Also you might wana try this.

Tried with wings 98.19c

Exported it as a obj, and rendered it from various angles with NO problems. These were just quick renders, but they appear to be fine.

NEW REVELATION:
(the Cinema 4D export normal half reversed.)

The Errors only happens in freeware modelers.

Tried opening the test file in Silo no problem, but in Wings 3D, Anim8or, and Marble Clay I have the error.

//negative9//

#9

I will do a whole series of tests tommorow regarding this issue, using as many different apps as possible.

cheers

#10

I curious what a fully comprehensive test would yeild.

I had Maya, Milkshap, Houdini, XSI, gmax, Openfx, And Aztec intstalled on this computer a couple of weeks ago, but did a clean install, so I only have those apps i listed in the previos reply installed plus blender, but it doesn’t seem to have native support of importing files other than .blend files into itself with out plugins, scripts or what not.

//negative9//

#11

Well, I got as far as trying this out in trueSpace3.2, and the same anomoly regarding the normals showed up in it as well.

I was about to start downloading and installing a whole whack of apps, including reinstalling some of my own purchaced ones currently sitting and collecting dust, and then thought to myself that for all intensive purposes I already know that:

a) I do almost all of my modeling within Wings3D, as the tools and workflow just plain make too much sense not to do so.

b) I will probably continue to model with Wings3D unless Silo gains similar tools and workflow currently found within Wings3D, while maintaining it’s own cool tools, in which case I would purchase Silo in a flash.

c) I don’t model with C4D CE at all, rather I import into C4D CE for rendering and thus really don’t need to concern myself with said normals anomoly, as importing into said app works like a charm from Wings3D, and I am very happy with the rendering, as well the hypernurbs subdivides C4D CE offers for when required.

That’s it really. :slight_smile: other than

e) I really need to learn a kick ass animation toolset :smiley:

f) I will be purchasing the next version of ZBrush, which will keep me busy for quite some time.

Fun stuff this 3d life of learning huh?

cheers

#12

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