importing-3d-models.md

description
Tips on importing models in MagicaVoxel

Importing 3D Models

1. Importing Complex Models (i.e.: 3D Scans)

This is a simple workflow I use when transforming high-poly models to voxel models.

Problem

You want to import a 3D scan model into MagicaVoxel.

Solution

I use a 3-steps procedure:

1. Simplify the mesh through MeshLab
2. Create a .vox model through FileToVox
3. Open the file in MagicaVoxel

Simplifying the Model

MeshLab (http://www.meshlab.net/) is an amazing open-source tool for processing and editing 3D triangular meshes. What we need here is its ability to cleanup and reduce triangle numbers.

• Download and install the software
• Open the software
• Import (File > Import Mesh) the 3D mesh you need to simplify

You are now ready to simplify the model:

1. Select, from the main menu Filters > Remeshing, Simplification and Reconstruction > Simplification > Quadric Edge Collapse Decimation

You will get the following simplification window:

For our purpose, we just need to decrease the number of faces

• Lower the Target number of faces value (it is usually already halved) or use the Percentage reducion value (0 to 1)
• Click Apply
• Repeat the process until you are happy with the results
• Export the mesh in your favourite format

Create the .vox Model

For this step you will need a command line tool called FileToVox (https://github.com/Zarbuz/FileToVox):

• Download the tool from the GitHub repository

• Unzip the package in your file system

• Execute the FileToVox command:

  ./FileToVox.exe --i mymodel.obj --o mymodel
  

Note: if you are not comfortable with the commnad line tool, you can use FileToVox-LazyGUI (https://github.com/patrikroy/FileToVox-LazyGUI).

Open the File in MagicaVoxel

You are now ready to open the file in MagicaVoxel.