why doesn´t import of lwo or obj format seem to work, I tried several scales, but it doesnt seem to show up, it´s very simple objects.

Michael

Do you have UV's assigned to the objects before they go into Houdini? Try setting up UV's in Lightwave and then Exporting them as .dae files (Collada).

Good Luck

No uv should be necessary for this, Ive managed to import obj and lwo files without UV before in houdini 9-10 so it should work.

and yeah I imported trough collada, that worked, also without uv.

but I would like to know why I cant get it to work with obj or lwo.

Michael

please note the houdini version you are using and OS etc

also, can you provide an example lwo or obj that we can have a look at

I import both all the time without trouble…

well It´s houdini 11 as mentioned in main title of the thread, I don´t know the exact build right now, have to get back home first.

Sure I can attach the files when I get back.

I should have this on my sign of course..operating system is ..

windows 7 64 bit
pcu i7 core 960
zotac gtx 480
12 gb ram


Michael

the houdini apprentice version is houdini master version 11.0.504
and Im exporting from lightwave 9.6

I noticed that I in fact can import the obj format, It is now only the lwo format that seem to not recognize the geometry.

Im posting a screen print on how the tree view and obj view looks like.
and Im posting a simple cube and ball in one and same layer.

Michael

hmmmmm

Houdini 11.0.575

get this in the shell when I try to load the .lwo


Unable to load source file /tmp/hfs10886-981.tmp.lwo
Unable to save destination file stdout.bgeo

So It isn´t working for you either..

You said you had no problems before to import both types right?

Have you tried recently to save out a lightwave object and import it?
and wich lightwave version did you use in that case?

Michael

I used terrragen to export an lwo - no idea about versions…I'll try again tonight and see…

I tried your scene file and had some luck but not a lot. I exported the Geometry in Modeler through Utilities–>Additional–>Export Lightwave 5. I imported in Houdini version 11 and it popped up. I tried adding some materials but no luck. I will continue to try again since this is really bothering me as well. Also UV's were not assigned.
Glen

Edit** I swtched to LW 9.6 64 Bit and exported it the same way as mentioned above. I assigned a material and nothing was there. I did a quick render and everything shows up.

Exported from LW–>File–>Export–>Export Lightwave 5. Brought the .lwo into Houdini then –>Texture Tab–>UVTexture. I hope this works. Good luck.
Glen

I'm also having a problem with a lwo file. I'm attaching it here. The geometry was created in Moi v2, and then exported from there in lwo format. Modo has no problem at all importing it. Using Houdini 10.0.595 64 bit on Windows Vista, OPenGL 3.3, Nvidia 8800 512 VRAM, 6Gb RAM.

I checked out your file. I exported out of Lightwave 9.6 64 Bit as A lightwave 5 obj. It imported into Houdini but you would have to export each individual layer and bring them back together in Houdini by using a Transform Node and then a Merge Node.

I also tried to export out of Lightwave using Collada. For that to work correctly I had to bring the object into one Layer and then export out as Collada. I imported it into Houdini very nicely.

Without sounding like a sales pitch for Houdini. If you make you objects in Lightwave (example program) try and make them without subdividing the object. It is easier to import into Houdini like that. Once it is in Houdini apply a subdivide node at the geo level for better control.

I will post what I can do with the object tonight. Nice object but you have some 4> polygons with the object.

Note that I didn't make it in Lightwave, which I don't have. I made it in Moi (http://moi3d.com/), [moi3d.com] and that program generated the lwo file. The Ngons are on purpose, they look better, at least in Modo. I could configure the exporter to use quads or tris, but it sounds like there are larger issues with how Houdini is reading the file. Oh well.

Houdini can never really import lwo geo well. I have had that problem for a long time. I either make it in Maya or Houdini itself. Lightwave can convert it when exporting but you loose some functionality with the model. Creating props (glasses, plates, cups) in Lightwave and bringing them to Houdini is what I use it for. Modo is great and has lots of advantages as well. Good luck with it, let me know if you need a model converted.

Damn, that's what I was afraid of.

I seem to have two other options at this point: import it into Houdini using IGS or import using OBJ format. I'm not sure which is better to use. I made a detailed model of the lightcycle engine, and tried loading it up in IGS format in Houdini, but the viewport becomes SOOOOO slow, it's almost unusable. Importing in the OBJ file works much better, but now the hassle is the normals don't seem quite as nice. What I mean is that the imported LWO file in Modo renders out great - smooth, and all the curved sections look great. But in Houdini, you can see little artifacts here and there. I ran a facet SOP on it the model and that helps a bit, but it's still not quite as nice. Maybe it won't be that big of deal since the ultimate goal is to animate it.

I like using Modo a lot too. Modo and Lightwave models convert easily since Modo and Lightwave were made from the same developers. Mode developers use to work for Lightwave and then split off to make their own.
If you have artifacts on the still image you will have artifacts on the animation as well.

Can you export in Collada .dae format or FBX format?

I don't think Moi support Collada. It might support FBX, Ill look into it.