3ds Max to Unreal Engine Workflow and Troubleshooting

Learn to avoid problems and troubleshoot issues when taking your designs from 3ds Max into Unreal.

Introduction

• 3ds Max to Unreal workflows
• Software versions
• Max project and exercise files setup
• Fixing asset linking problems

1. Clean Exports

• Unreal setup: Project creation
• 3ds Max setup: Units
• 3ds Max setup: Naming conventions
• 3ds Max setup: Combining objects
• Clean export from Max using FBX
• Clean import into Unreal with FBX
• Clean export from Max using Datasmith
• Clean import with Datasmith
• Export from Max using a VR scene
• Re-importing modified assets

2. Mesh Problems

• Lights and cameras: FBX
• Lights and cameras: Datasmith and VR scene
• Beware the exposure trap
• Smoothing groups
• FBX materials sidenote
• Overly dense meshes
• Collision mesh issues
• Fixing vertex problems on the geometry
• Fixing more vertex problems
• Fixing face problems
• Fixing edge problems on the geometry
• Working with LODs: FBX
• Working with LODs: Datasmith

3. Map and Material Problems

• UV issues you can run into
• De-generated triangles
• Overlapping UVs
• Missing lightmap UVs
• Handling multiple material IDs

Conclusion

• Next steps