Importing 3D Models

Tips on importing models in MagicaVoxel

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.
A 3D scan from threedscans.com

Solution

I use a 3-steps procedure:
  1. 1.
    Simplify the mesh through MeshLab
  2. 2.
    Create a .vox model through FileToVox
  3. 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
The imported mesh in MeshLab
You are now ready to simplify the model:
  1. 1.
    Select, from the main menu Filters > Remeshing, Simplification and Reconstruction > Simplification > Quadric Edge Collapse Decimation
You will get the following simplification window:
The Quadric Edge Collapse Decimation 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
The simplified model

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).
The FileToVox LazyGUI tool

Open the File in MagicaVoxel

You are now ready to open the file in MagicaVoxel.
The model opened in MagicaVoxel