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Exporting Blender's 3D Curves

  Published by Kernon on May 1st, 2007 in 3D News, Python Scripts, Toolbox

thumb.jpgHere's another gem from Matt Ebb on exporting 3D curves, specifically to 3DS Max.

Matt writes:

Over the last few weeks at the studio I’ve been working in Blender alongside 3DS Max and I’ve needed to export 3D bézier curve (spline) data between the two apps.

…

So with no ready made options, I tried an idea - I read up on MaxScript and made a Python script for Blender that takes the curve data and and uses it to generate a MaxScript, that when run inside 3DS Max will generate the same curve using the MaxScript API. There are a few advantages to this, there’s a very fine level of control and you can easily export every feature that’s supported by both Blender and Max, without worrying if an intermediary format supports those specific features too. However there are drawbacks - it’s a pain to use since you have to open up and run a MaxScript each time, rather than just importing a file. I’d rather support an existing standard format, so it’s more widely useful for other people than just me.

…
It’s my first exporter and I didn’t use any fancy XML libraries, so it may be rough (although it gets the job done fine).

Also, please be aware that the script

needs a current CVS build. It's using a new internal python function that ideasman just made recently.

He's open to any suggestions on how to improve the script and I'm sure the community will come through with some helpful ideas.

Get more details at Matt's website.
The script is available, here.



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6 Responses to “Exporting Blender's 3D Curves”  

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  1. 1 Cubedude04 Edit Link May 1st, 2007 at 8:10 am

    Nice work. Always good to have more options

  2. 2 Matt Edit Link May 1st, 2007 at 10:12 am

    This is such a small little script, I don't know if it really deserves the attention! But there have been a few good things happening for i/o in Blender recently - I think many people will be interested that there is now an FBX exporter under development (in CVS) and Campbell is doing a cracking job on it: http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=92082

  3. 3 Falk Edit Link May 1st, 2007 at 12:02 pm

    It definitively deserves the attention !

  4. 4 Joeri Edit Link May 1st, 2007 at 12:32 pm

    I think that writting scripts that write scripts are always good to put some attention on because often that's a very good way to go about solving translation problems.

    But people need also to keep in mind that this is no beginner-level stuff. Scripts that write scripts can be very dangerous and should only be used if you know what you are doing…

    http://www.blendernation.com/2007/04/24/blender-242-security-advisory/

  5. 5 Craigomatic Edit Link May 1st, 2007 at 1:20 pm

    Wow, Matt, way to push the envelope!! I'm sure Falk and others that are using Max and Blender are going to really benefit from this. It amazes me how much you continue to give back to the community, in so many areas - bravo, sir!!

  6. 6 FreakyDude Edit Link May 1st, 2007 at 6:13 pm

    One of the things I would love are more solid import export options to work better with other applications. I could've used quite a few of them not to long ago. Hell, if anyone has a working idea to get models from inventor into blender, you would MAKE MY MONTH!!! there's some inventor vrml export script around, but it didn't import into blender, neither did other vrml's by the way.
    It's quite annoying when commercial apps start taking out their import/export capabilities, only to work with their other commercial apps….

    I have been growing a wishlist for blender over the last 2 months, and import export options are among them.

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