Adding Files to Scenes

For VRED 2022 and beyond, import native CAD files assembled in the Alias Reference Manager into VRED. A new Reference Manager group will be created in the Scenegraph to mimic the Alias Reference Manager and layers.

Alias 2021 introduced the possibility to create an assembly structure from various CAD file formats, such as .wire, .iges, .step, etc. Alias creates an intermediate .wref reference file for modeling and visualization purposes in the viewport, while keeping the link to the original CAD file in the background. When importing an Alias .wire file containing an assembly structure into VRED, the linked CAD files are now imported, as well. Find these imported assembled files under the new Reference Manager group in the Scenegraph.

Alias References and Assemblies

For a video on how to import data from Alias to VRED, check out Mike Turner's Importing data from Alias to VRED.

Learn How to Load and Import Files into VRED

learnMore icon For information on how to import references, see Working with Smart References.

When adding files to scene, choose whether to load or import them. Loading a file uses File > Open and the root node created in the Scenegraph could differ, depending on the type of file loaded. Importing uses File > Import and enables multiple files to be brought into VRED, using the Import File(s) dialog. VRED supports an assortment of file formats and types, this included assembly files with references. Before adding files to VRED, consult the section below.

Support File Formats and Types

Many types of files can be imported and added to VRED scenes. Try other VRED scenes, XML or Python files, and files created by other applications, such as 3ds Max. When importing, if there is an issue with the import, you can abort it at any time during the process.

Important:

The documentation for 2016, 2018, and 2019 incorrectly listed OSG as a supported file format. OSG files are not and have not been supported in VRED since 2016.

For a list of supported file formats and types, see the General Overview section of Supported File Formats.

Alias Files

When importing Alias files, first unify all the surface normals to face the camera in Alias. Set Visual normals, rather than Geometric normals, to avoid disturbing the history of the model.

CAD Files

When working with CAD files, import multiple files in one shot. In the Import File(s) dialog, you will see the imported CAD files listed. For a list of the latest supported versions, see the supported file formats for the version of VRED you're running.

Import File(s) dialog

Maya Files

Maya .ma and .mb files can be added to a scene; however, not everything in the scene may be supported. A lot of Maya data that cannot be loaded into VRED. Therefore, .ma and .mb files should be avoided. We recommend you use FBX (the recommended exchange format between Maya and VRED), as it is superior to .ma and .mb.

If you still are hoping to load .mb files into VRED, here's a list of what is supported. All other things, such as animation, rigging, and skinning, will be lost.

Where in VRED What comes through
Scenegraph Node Names, Transformations, Rotations, and Scaling
Lights Directional Lights, Point Lights, Spot Lights, and Area Lights
Materials Material Names, Diffuse Color, Glossy/Specular Color, Incandescent Color, and Transparency

Showcase Files

Showcase files are not supported in VRED 2018 and beyond. You can open a Showcase file in a version of VRED before 2018, save the file as a .vpb, then open in VRED 2018 or later.

How to Import a Non-VRED File

When a non-VRED file is imported into VRED, references can be automatically created. These references will appear in the Scenegraph, as well as the Reference Editor.

  1. From the menu bar, select File > Import.

  2. Select the files containing references, then click Open.

    Importing files

  3. In the Import File(s) dialog, set file specific options, such as Import Sub-Referenced Files or Reference Behavior.

  4. Click Import.

How to Add a File to a Scene

  1. Optional: Select a node in the Scenegraph below where you want to add the file or animation.

  2. In the Menu Bar, select File > Import.

  3. Select one or more files to add them to the scene and click Open.

  4. Click Import.

    The file or files are added to the Scenegraph as child nodes of the selected node.

    Select Node Child Tree View

    If no node was selected in the Scenegraph, the objects are added as children of the root node.

    Add File Tree View

    All objects of an added file are grouped in a group node. Imported files are marked green in the Scenegraph.

    Add File Group Child Tree View

How to Add an Animation to a Scene

You can add VRML animations to a scene, provided they include the objects being animated.

  1. In the Menu Bar, select File > Import Scene Data > VRML Animation.
  2. Select an animation to add to the scene.
  3. Click Open.

How to Import Information to a Scene

You can import various file types and meta information to a scene.

  1. In the Menu Bar, select File > Import Scene Data.

  2. Select the type of information you want to import, then click Open:

    • VRML Animation - Imports .wrl files for displaying virtual worlds and their 3D models.
    • CSB Animation/Variants - Imports .csb animation or variant files into the current scene.
    • Render Jobs - Imports jobs from the Render module into the current scene. (XML Render Queue Description .xml)
    • Rendering Meta Data - Imports images rendered with VRED (.png, .jpg, .tiff, .exr) containing scene settings, embedded as meta data in the Rendering Meta Data. These settings are applied to the loaded scene.
    • Sequences - Imports arrangements from the Sequencer module into the current scene (XML Sequencer Description .xml). A sequence setup for the Sequencer module can be added to the scene.
    • Variants - Imports variants from the Variant Sets module into the current scene (XML Variant Description .xml). A variant setup for the Variants and VariantSets module can be added to the scene.
Parent page: Basics