Importing 3D Models
Tips on importing models in MagicaVoxel
This is a simple workflow I use when transforming high-poly models to voxel models.
You want to import a 3D scan model into MagicaVoxel.
A 3D scan from threedscans.com
I use a 3-steps procedure:
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.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
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
You are now ready to open the file in MagicaVoxel.
The model opened in MagicaVoxel