Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
However, choosing a format depends on your source application and how
the 3D application will export the model. For example, exporting the 3D
models from 3ds Max as OBJ does not preserve the cameras applied to the
3D model or the 3D scene. However, it is not recommended to use the OBJ
format when exporting 3D content with camera information attached to it.
On the other hand, you can preserve the 3D animation of the model by
export it in speciic formats. For example, if you created a 3D animation for
the model created in a 3D application such as 3ds Max, you can preserve the
animation by exporting the animated 3D model in DAE or 3DS formats.
However, the imported animation information cannot be directly edited in
Photoshop.
On the other hand, when you export the iles in this format, some
information is incorrectly read—especially the information related to the
object itself, such as the textures applied to it, and its properties, such as the
relections on the object surface. Thus, it is a good practice to review the 3D
model properties after importing it to Photoshop.
Note: When you import 3D models to Photoshop, make sure to review the
paths of the applied textures and make sure they are correct and are
referenced to the applied texture correctly. In most cases, you will need to
reload the textures from its paths. However, in the following examples in
this chapter, I try to reload the textures from its paths. I don't mention this
detail in the tutorials, but this issue will be covered in detail in Chapter 8.
Let's start with an example that demonstrates how to import 3D objects into
Photoshop and view the imported 3D object information:
1. Open a new Photoshop document.
2. From the 3D top menu, choose “New layer from 3D iles” (Figure 4.1).
3. Navigate to 3dplanet.3ds and open it.
Photoshop then imports the new 3D model in a new layer.
The ordinary Photoshop layers are mostly 2D layers and do not support the
3D properties. However, when you import a 3D ile into Photoshop, it is
placed in a new 3D layer. The 3D layer allows you to edit or modify the
object using the 3D control tools in Photoshop.
Notice that the 3D layer is diferent than the 2D layer, as the 3D layer
includes sublayers that show the diferent textures applied to the object.
And when you add new textures to the object, the new added textures
appear as new texture layers in the 3D layer.
Note: Next to each
texture sublayer, the Eye
icon lets you show or
hide a speciic layer.
As mentioned in an earlier chapter, a 3D model can consist of one or more
meshes, depending on its complexity. Each mesh includes the faces that
form the inal surface of the object and its details. Although you cannot
visually identify how many meshes are in the model, you can review these by
