Data Import
Learn about the basic data import functions, file handling, and how to open files in VRED.
Please note, there may be differences between your version of VRED and the video. See the video captions below for updated instructions.
For additional information on basic data importing, see the following:
- DGDesign S01 E02: Importing data from Alias to VRED (Video)
- Alias Switch Material Import (Video)
- Adding Files to Scene (How To)
- Import File(s) Dialog (Reference)
Video captions: Hello and welcome to the Autodesk VRED Profession video tutorial series. This tutorial will give you an overview on how to import different file types and which file types are supported by VRED.
First, we start by loading an example file into VRED. Let’s go to the main menu bar and select File > Import. Now, a new window appears. Let’s navigate to the file we want to import.
Before we open our file, let's take a quick look at all the available exchange formats. In the lower right corner, we have a range of all the supported file formats. As you see, VRED supports all major file formats in large areas of 3D and CAD.
We're able to load construction files, like CATIA version 4 and 5, Autodesk Alias WIRE files, and SolidWorks data. We can also import 3D Manufacturing Format (3MF) files, which are heavily used in the additive manufacturing area and replace older formats that cannot accurately reflect current additive workflows.
For building and civil infrastructure data, we can load IFC (Industry Foundation Classes), which is use in the architectural area and made for cross-platform workflows for many different teams, like on a BIM project. This means you can now easily bring Revit data into VRED and load additional information like materials and metadata, via the IFC format. When importing animation and camera data from different software tools like Maya or 3D Max, try an exchanges format like USD. Now, I will select a WIRE file and confirm it with the Open button.
The Import Files dialog appears, where you can define how Autodesk VRED should convert or process the data. VRED offers settings for determining how file data is tessellated. We have options like Chord Deviation, Normal Tolerance, Max Chord Length, and Stitching Tolerance. Chord deviation is the distance of the midpoint of a tessellated edge to the geometry.
Normal tolerance is the allowed normal deviation between the normals on the ends of the tessellated edge. Max chord length is the maximum length of a tessellated edge. Use Enable Stitching for enabling the stitching of adjacent edges.
Stitching Tolerance sets the tolerance where two adjacent edges are considered to be touching and where they should be stitched together. In the Advanced Options, Merge Geometries allows the merging of the imported geometry. I will use the default settings and confirm with the Import button.