Importing and Exporting

A summarised guide on the processes related to importing and exporting static, skeletal and 3D meshes, re-importing assets, auto re-import and full scene import from DCC applications as well as exporting assets from Unreal.

Exporting Static Meshes

• These should be exported using the FBX format.

• Within the export configuration window, tick the Smoothing Groups, Triangulate and Preserve Edge Orientation options under the Geometry section.

• It is generally recommended to disable all other configuration properties so it is clear which properties of the mesh will be imported.

Exporting Skeletal Meshes

• These should be exported using the FBX format.

• Within the export configuration window, tick the Smoothing Groups, Triangulate and Preserve Edge Orientation options under the Geometry section. This prepares the static mesh component of the skeletal mesh.

• Proceed to tick the Animation option under the Animation section and Deformations and Skins options under the Deformations section.

• It is generally recommended to disable all other configuration properties so it is clear which properties of the mesh will be imported.

3D Mesh Import

• These can be imported in the same way as Texture Imports. Unreal attempts to automatically configure the import settings but some generally require some tweaking depending on the asset type.

• When importing Static Meshes, the following import parameters require attention:

  • Auto Generate Collision (Enable)

  • Generate Light Map UVs (Enable but may want to disable depending on the UVs that have been added from the DCC application)

  • Transform Vertex to Absolute (Enable)

  • Import Materials (Disable unless materials are exported within the mesh)

  • Import Textures (Disable unless textures are exported within the mesh)

• When importing Skeletal Meshes, the following import parameters require attention:

  • Skeletal Mesh (Enable)

  • Import Animations (Enable)

  • Import Materials (Disable unless materials are exported within the mesh)

  • Import Textures (Disable unless textures are exported within the mesh)

Re-Importing Assets

• This is useful for ensuring Unreal is using the latest version of a modified asset.

• This can be achieved in a variety of methods:

  • Right click within the Content browser the asset and select Reimport

  • Within the asset viewer window select the Reimport button from the toolbar

  • Drag & Drop the asset from a file browser window into the Content browser

Auto Re-Importing

• This feature works by constantly monitoring defined directories for any changes. When a change occurs, the modified asset is automatically re-imported into Unreal.

• To configure this functionality, define Directories to Monitor under the Auto Reimport section of Loading & Saving tab within the Editor Preferences.

• It may prove beneficial to enable the Monitor Content Directories parameter within the same section.

Full Scene Import

• Entire levels can be imported from DCC applications into Unreal.

• This supports a single import which can include all of the following:

  • Static meshes

  • Skeletal meshes

  • Animations

  • Materials (limited import support)

  • Textures

  • Rigid mesh

  • Morph targets

  • Cameras (without any animation)

  • Lights

• This can be done by selecting the Import Into Level... option under the Actors section within the File menu.

Exporting Assets from Unreal

• Any importable assets can also be exported from Unreal.

• When exporting Textures, Static Meshes and Skeletal Meshes out of a project for use in other applications, simply Right Click on the asset and select Export... from the Asset Actions options.

• When exporting any kind of asset out of a project and into another, simply Right Click out of a project and into another, on the asset and select Migrate... from the Asset Actions options.