Topic: FBX files, videos & tutorials for Blender & IMVU

[kat]

 

To find out how to make items and products for IMVU using the new, easy to use NODES system that dispenses with Armatures and Bones, check out the following tutorial and video links.

1: TUTORIALS

FBX Tutorials, Videos for Blender & IMVU

General FBX
- How to import FBX files into IMVU | Video | Transcript
- IMVU FBX import Scaling | Video | Transcript

Furniture & Rooms
- Make IMVU furniture items using Nodes | Video | Transcript
- Avatar poses for furniture using Nodes | Video | Transcript
- Make animated furniture using Nodes* | Video* | Transcript*
- Make furniture Rooms for IMVU using Nodes* | Video* | Transcript*

Misc. FBX
- Using Paint 3D for IMVU | Video | Transcript
- Make my first mesh - a Pumpkin* | Video | Transcript

Avatars, Accessories & related
- Make custom animated Avatar poses | Video | Transcript
- Make custom Avatar clothing* | Video* | Transcript*
- Make Pets using Nodes* | Video* | Transcript*
- Make an earring accessory | Video | Transcript*
- Make a handheld accessory | Video | Transcript*

(items marked * are coming soon)

2: DOWNLOADS

I: Starter files for Blender 2.79+/- (*.fbx, *.blend)

The below files will be updated as the accompanying FBX resources become available (official starter files are available here). Downloads include Blender IMVU skeleton, Blender IMVU female (and male), both of which can be used to make IMVU clothing in Blender, poses and more.

Important: the resources provided below may include content Copyright IMVU or other Parties and may not be used or distributed outside their intended purpose.

- Furniture: standard furniture | furniture custom pose spots | animated furniture
- Room: standard room | custom room pose spots | animated room
- Accessory: standard accessory | animated accessory
- Avatar Pose: avatar female | avatar male | avatar pose | avatar action | couples pose
- Clothing/Avatar: standard clothing | avatar replacement
- Shapekeys: avatar | furniture | room

- SketchUp: furniture reference | furniture example
- Hexagon: furniture reference
- Daz3D: furniture reference
- Paint 3D: furniture example
- Cinema 4D: furniture reference

II: Starter Files for Blender 2.8+ (*.blend)

IMPORTANT: Blender 2.8 presents a number of additional challenges for IMVU content creation than previous versions of Blender. For more on using Blender 2.8 to make IMVU content click here. Starter Files are available for both female and male clothing, accessories, poses, shape keys, furniture and furniture rooms - a number of examples are also available.

- Download Blender 2.8+ IMVU Starter Files

3: TROUBLESHOOTING

When using other 3D software to make content for IMVU some testing may be necessary to check the integrity or compatibility of the FBX file for IMVU use and/or correct for scale/size issues. This can be done using the following tools from Autodesk;

- FBX Review
- FBX Converter 2013

Use FBX Review to open the FBX file in a 3D viewer to check the file and make sure the mesh appears intact.

Use FBX Converter 2013 to convert FBX files exported from different applications into a compatible version for IMVU use - open file into converter ('Source' [left side]), choose a save location then convert using "FBX 2013 (Compatible with Autodesk 2013 applications and 2013 FBX plug-ins)" as the Destination format ('Destination files' [right side]).

Load the FBX file into the tools [1] and set the save location [2]. Select "FBX 2013 (Compatible with Autodesk 2013 applications and 2013 FBX plug-ins)" as the Destination format and make sure "Binary" is set as the "FBX Save Mode" [4]. Finally click "Convert" bottom-right [5].

[kat]

Blender can be intimidating at first glance so watch these beginner friendly videos to get a basic overview of the Interface and other aspects of the program.

An overview of Blenders interface.

An overview of Blender keyboard and mouse controls (navigation).

[JimmieRose]

Thanks Jazz for all the work and files. Is IMVU working on files for the other items like clothing, accessories, etc or is that up to the users to do?

[kat]

Thanks Jazz for all the work and files. Is IMVU working on files for the other items like clothing, accessories, etc or is that up to the users to do?

That's on me (IMVU's files are actually based on content I sent through during testing). The files are ready to go in most cases but have yet to be released for a couple of reasons, mainly; 1) tutorials/education support material is still in the works, and 2) some FBX features are not fully 100% supported/implemented so files might not work as expected. Obviously working as hard as possible to get all this content out and freely available ASAP!.

[JimmieRose]

If you need some help just ask. I will do or test out what I can. Winter on the farm is the slow time of the year. After April first that is a whole other ball game as it is said here in the USA.