Topic: IMVU Problem exporting wall furniture

[Andrew Bailey]

Hi im using the new blender and want to model for imvu i installed all files but cant seem to see the files when export can anyone help please i followed your video but it is oldnow so maybe something is different now! Thanks andrew

[kat]

What are you having problems exporting exactly? The process is generally the same for all items but do vary in the set-up. If you can post screenshots of what you're looking at in Blender versus what you're seeing in IMVU that'll help track down the problem.

[Andrew Bailey]

im just trying to export object like a wall at moment to make sure i can do it i did the same you did with your chair but no files show up to upload to imvu thanks for reply

[kat]

If you've replaced the IMVU default derivable with your own mesh and skeleton and nothing appears then it likely means there's an issue with the vertex group assignments... When editing the mesh and creating the necessary vertex group, it MUST to be named identical to the 'root' (bone at the very 'top' of the Armature hierarchy) bone of your walls Armature - in the instructions this is called "Root", so the vertex group assigned to the mesh is ALSO called "Root" (has to match upper/lower case as well). If your bone is called "Bone.001", you'll need to name the mesh vertex group that as well.

Shown below for example a simple trough[3] is assigned a vertex group titled "Root"[2]. When loaded into Create mode this latches on to the IMVU default skeleton and bone which is also called "Root".

[Andrew Bailey]

i wouldnt need bone or anything with just a wall would i or some picture frame? but i can get any files exported from blender at the moment thats my prob

[kat]

Everything in IMVU relies on an underlying skeleton to work properly. So yes, you'll need to use one to make sure your mesh is properly set up with respect to what IMVU is expecting to see when your XMF is loaded into Create Mode.

To export make sure you're selecting the mesh and Armature (in that order) then using "File » Export » IMVU Cal3D Export" (assuming you have the export script loaded). If Blender encounters a problem it will throw up an error message pop-up, which can also be seen by clicking "Window » Toggle System Console" in the "Info" bar running across the top of the application.

If no errors occur and nothing else happens then the files will have exported, so double-check the location the files are being saved to (Blender can't perform 'blank' exports, it has to error out or write something to disk).

[Andrew Bailey]

are ok thanks so could i use an Armature from your files or just load one myself would that be the same?

[kat]

To ensure your item is set up properly you'll need an Armature. For convenience one is included in the tutorial template file, ready to go.

[Andrew Bailey]

great i have downloaded it and will give it a go many thanks and sorry to disturb you

[Andrew Bailey]

ok i am back sorry is it right that i only need the upright armature to use for a wall? or furniture like a wall unit? and i dont have the option on right to select armature either like in the video as its changed to what i have in normal setup for blender? https://gyazo.com/cf688fbc63ce14a4a3babc96cf8e660e this is what i have thats in your files i dont see the little spanner to add modifier to add armature

[Andrew Bailey]

sorry i used old file but now using new on can i just use the wall file you supplied us? i did try as you said in video but still no files exported grrr

[kat]

For Blender users the "body" bone indicates the eventual orientation of the item in IMVU; as a floor item the bone is essentially pointing upwards, as a wall item the same bone points inwards, for ceiling items the same bone again point down. The same Armature unaltered in Blender changes in IMVU based on the NODE its matched to not the orientation of the Armature or bones per se. In other words you don't need to do anything to the Armature in Blender, just the mesh. So depending on the item this means you model and export as normal, or you rotate the mesh only backwards so it faces upwards (this assumes deriving from the "Furniture (Wall)" item (#12906)).

Shown below, the mesh on the left lying flat on its back will be aligned vertically with the wall as would be expected. The version of the right would be sticking outwards from the wall along the horizontal.

[kat]

FYI: the furniture template/sample file has been updated, although the older version did work they don't appear to have been properly optimised for the newer export script (by the looks of things).