Import and export >
Import a model

You can add one or more models to your current scene or layer using the Import and Import as Layer features. Importing a scene loads an existing scene from disk and adds it to the contents of the current scene.

Import as Layer loads a saved model into the scene and stores it as a layer on the active object. For more information on supported model file formats, see Model file formats.

Import as layer makes the following workflows possible:

- Allows multiple sculptors to work on separate versions of the same model then combine their work by importing the separate models into one scene as separate layers.
- Blend between different design iterations. For example, you can import two different versions of the same model as layers and then mask out areas on each to produce a result that is a hybrid of the two original models.
- For facial animation purposes, import variations of the same model for facial targets. You can then use the opacity sliders for each layer to blend between the various facial targets.
- Update the pose or proportions of a model when changes have occurred in the original 3D modeling application or by another sculptor in Mudbox.
- Update a model in the original 3D modeling application, load it into Mudbox, then import your high resolution version of the model as a layer to update the new version with your sculpted detail.

NoteMudbox does not support file, attribute, or directory paths that use double-byte characters in the names (such as found in Japanese, Korean, Chinese languages). Text strings should be restricted to single byte characters only (Latin alphabet). Using text strings that contain double-byte (extended ASCII) characters may result in an error or data loss.

Import an existing scene into the current scene

1. From the main menu, select File > Import. In the browser window that appears, navigate to and select the file you want to import.

   The model loads in the 3D View.

   NoteTo sculpt on the mesh, ensure it is first selected in the Object View.

Import an existing model into a layer

1. From the main menu, select File > Import As Layer.
2. In the file browser window that appears, select the file(s) you want to import, then click OK.

   Two import options are possible:

   - Vertex IDs - Use this setting when the imported model is topologically identical to the active object.
   - UV Position - Use this setting when there have been updates to the imported mesh that have changed the model’s topology or any situation that would otherwise not allow for a Vertex ID correspondence.
   NoteYou can select multiple files for import when using the Import As Layer feature. Each file is assigned to a separate layer.

   The scene is imported into a new layer on the active object. The new layer is automatically selected for sculpting.

Related topics

Open a model

File menu

Import a model from Maya

Import a model from 3ds Max

Import Mudbox files from earlier versions

Model file formats