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Import Mudbox files from earlier versions

The Mudbox file format architecture was substantially changed for Mudbox 2009 to improve interactive performance using models with much larger polygon counts. Unfortunately, the .mud files from Mudbox version 1.0.7 or earlier are not upward compatible with Mudbox 2009 or later versions.

The following techniques describe how to transfer sculpted models from Mudbox 1.0.7 (and earlier versions) to later Mudbox versions using the .obj file format.

NoteIt is recommended that you do not upgrade your Mudbox application while in the middle of a production project.

File transfer using .obj file format and re-creating the subdivision levels

This technique requires you to output two .obj files from the Mudbox 1.0.7 version model: One from the base subdivision level, and the second from the highest subdivision level that contains your sculpted detail. You then import these two files into your newer version of Mudbox after you recreate the same subdivision level structure as in your original Mudbox 1.0.7 file.

Use the steps in this section if your Mudbox version 1.0.7 or earlier file contained multiple subdivision levels and was not using local subdivision on the model. If the model used the Subdivide Selection feature (obsolete as of Mudbox 2009), these instructions will not work and you’ll need to use the second method described in File transfer using the Sculpt Model Using Displacement Map feature.

1. Launch Mudbox 1.0.7 (or earlier) and open the file you want to transfer to the newer version of Mudbox.
2. Using the Page Down key, step down to display the base subdivision level for the model.
3. Using the Objects selection tool (Select/Move Tools tray), select the model then select File > Export Selection.
4. Enter a name for the model, ensuring that you’ll be able to differentiate it from the second model you’ll output from the highest subdivision level (for example, <name_level0.obj>) the click Save.
5. Using the Page Up key, step up to display the highest subdivision level for the model.
6. Using the Objects selection tool (Select/Move Tools tray), select the model then select File > Export Selection
7. Enter a name for the second file ensuring you’ll be able to differentiate it from the first model you output from the base subdivision level. For example, <name_level5.obj>.
8. Exit Mudbox 1.0.7.
9. Launch the newer version of Mudbox and open the file you saved from the base subdivision level for the model. For example, <name_level0.obj>.

   At this point, you have the same base subdivision level of the model as your model from Mudbox 1.0.7.

10. Using the Mesh > Add New Subdivision Level (Hotkey: Shift + D) feature, create the same number of subdivision levels as the original model contained in Mudbox 1.0.7. (In this example, 5 levels.)

    Keep the highest subdivision level active for the next step.

11. With the highest subdivision level active, select File > Import As Layer. Ensure the Match by: Vertex ID option is selected, and import the highest subdivision level model. In this example, <name_level5.obj>.

    This recreates the highest subdivision level of the Mudbox 1.0.7 model in the newer version of Mudbox. When you step down using the Page Down key, you will see all of the sculpted information on subdivision levels in between.

File transfer using the Sculpt Model Using Displacement Map feature

This technique requires you to output one .obj file from the Mudbox 1.0.7 version model: the base subdivision level, and then from the highest subdivision level on the model, extract a high resolution displacement map that contains your sculpted detail. You then import these two files into the newer version of Mudbox after you recreate the same subdivision level structure as in the original Mudbox 1.0.7 file.

Use the steps in this section only if your Mudbox version 1.0.7 (or earlier) model contained local subdivision. That is, if the model used the Subdivide Selection feature (obsolete as of Mudbox 2009). Otherwise, the instructions described in the previous section can be used.

1. Launch Mudbox 1.0.7 (or earlier) and open the file you want to transfer to a newer version of Mudbox.
2. Using the Page Down key, step down to display the base subdivision level for the model.
3. Using the Objects selection tool (Select/Move Tools tray), select the model then select File > Export Selection.
4. Enter a name for the model. For example, <name_level0.obj>.
5. Using the Page Up key, step up to display the highest subdivision level for the model.
6. From the main menu, select Maps > Extract Texture Map > New Operation.

   The Extract Texture Maps window appears. You need to extract a displacement map of the sculpt features that appear on the highest level.

7. To extract a displacement map, refer to the instructions in Extract a normal or displacement map. For best results, ensure you output a displacement map that is 32 bits in depth. (For an explanation on bit depth, see Image bit depth and texture extraction).
8. Exit Mudbox 1.0.7.
9. Launch the newer version of Mudbox and open the file you saved from the base subdivision level for the model. That is, <name_level0.obj>.

   At this point, you should have the same base subdivision level of the model that was in Mudbox 1.0.7.

10. From the main menu, select Maps > Sculpt Model Using Displacement Map > New Operation.

    The Sculpt Model Using Map window appears.

11. To apply the displacement map to the model, refer to the instructions in Sculpt using a displacement map.
    NoteEnsure you set the Displace To Level option to a value that matches the same number of subdivision levels as the original model. For example, if the displacement map was extracted from Level 5 in the Mudbox 1.0.7, set the Displace to Level option to 5.

This recreates the highest subdivision level of the Mudbox 1.0.7 model in the later version of Mudbox. When you step down using the Page Down key, you will see all of the sculpted information on subdivision levels in between.

Related topics

Sculpt using a displacement map

Open a model

File menu

Import a model

Import a model from Maya

Import a model from 3ds Max