MagicaVoxel Resources
  • Introduction
  • Importing/Exporting Models
    • MagicaVoxel to Unity
    • Importing 3D Models
  • Shaders
    • Shader Reference
    • Shader Resources
  • Tutorials
    • Tutorial List
    • Speed Art
    • Blender Integration
    • Writing Your First Shader
  • Resources
    • Generic Resources
    • Tools
    • Social
    • Models
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • 1. Importing Complex Models (i.e.: 3D Scans)
  • Problem
  • Solution

Was this helpful?

  1. Importing/Exporting Models

Importing 3D Models

Tips on importing models in MagicaVoxel

PreviousMagicaVoxel to UnityNextShader Reference

Last updated 5 years ago

Was this helpful?

1. Importing Complex Models (i.e.: 3D Scans)

This is a simple workflow I use when transforming high-poly models to voxel models.

Problem

You want to import a 3D scan model into MagicaVoxel.

Solution

I use a 3-steps procedure:

  1. Simplify the mesh through MeshLab

  2. Create a .vox model through FileToVox

  3. Open the file in MagicaVoxel

Simplifying the Model

MeshLab (http://www.meshlab.net/) is an amazing open-source tool for processing and editing 3D triangular meshes. What we need here is its ability to cleanup and reduce triangle numbers.

  • Download and install the software

  • Open the software

  • Import (File > Import Mesh) the 3D mesh you need to simplify

You are now ready to simplify the model:

  1. Select, from the main menu Filters > Remeshing, Simplification and Reconstruction > Simplification > Quadric Edge Collapse Decimation

You will get the following simplification window:

For our purpose, we just need to decrease the number of faces

  • Lower the Target number of faces value (it is usually already halved) or use the Percentage reducion value (0 to 1)

  • Click Apply

  • Repeat the process until you are happy with the results

  • Export the mesh in your favourite format

Create the .vox Model

For this step you will need a command line tool called FileToVox (https://github.com/Zarbuz/FileToVox):

  • Download the tool from the GitHub repository

  • Unzip the package in your file system

  • Execute the FileToVox command: 

    ./FileToVox.exe --i mymodel.obj --o mymodel

Note: if you are not comfortable with the commnad line tool, you can use FileToVox-LazyGUI (https://github.com/patrikroy/FileToVox-LazyGUI).

Open the File in MagicaVoxel

You are now ready to open the file in MagicaVoxel.

A 3D scan from threedscans.com
The imported mesh in MeshLab
The Quadric Edge Collapse Decimation window
The simplified model
The FileToVox LazyGUI tool
The model opened in MagicaVoxel