Skip to main content
Version: 5.x

Vertex Animation

Vertex animation or PLA (Point Level Animation) allows you to animate the individual vertices of an object. Vertex animation can be useful for creating complex or simulated animations. For example, it can be used to create a flag waving animation using cloth simulation.

Some things to consider when using Vertex Animation:

  • Complex vertex animation can cause performance issues on lower end devices. Please pay close attention to your Lens frame rate
  • Because vertex animation is storing keyframes for each vertex, vertex animations have a heavy file size. Please pay close attention to your Lens size-on-disk

The guides below have exports guides for the following 3D tools:

And a guide for importing Vertex Animation into Lens Studio:

Maya Export Guide

To export from Maya, first we need to define a set of objects that we want to export as vertex animation. In order to create a set in Maya, select the objects that have a geometry cache, then select Create -> Sets -> Quick Select Set… from Maya’s menu bar.

This will open the Create Quick Select Set window. In this window you can set the name for your objects set. Then, click the OK button.

Now we are ready to export the Vertex Animation. Select the object(s) you wish to export in Maya’s Outliner window. Then, Select the File -> Export Selection... from Maya’s menu bar.

This will open the Export Selection option window.

In the Export Selections option window, expand Animation options. Then check the Animation checkbox.

Then expand the Geometry Cache File(s) option and check the Geometry Cache File(s) checkbox.

Now we need to select the Set that we created before in the Set drop down menu.

You should now be ready to export. Give your file a name then select the Export Selection button.

To learn more about Maya's export process, refer to the Maya, 3D Object Export guide.

You now have an exported FBX file with a folder in the same path that contains data for Vertex Animation.

Cinema 4D Export Guide

To export your own 3D object PLA animation we need to make sure that the animation is cached as keyframes and is not using Cinema 4D's deformers or effects. Next, select the File -> Export… -> FBX (*.fbx) from Cinema 4D’s menu bar. Select where you want to save your FBX and click Save.

This will open the FBX Export Settings window. In the FBX Export Settings, inside the Animation section, make sure Tracks and PLA to Vertex Cache are checked.

To learn more about Cinema 4D’s export process, refer to the Cinema 4D, 3D Object Export guide.

Finally, in the FBX Export Settings window, click the OK button.

You now have an exported FBX file with a folder in the same path that contains data for Vertex Animation.

3ds Max Export Guide

To export from 3ds Max, first we need to create a set of object(s) that we want to export as vertex animation. To create a set in 3ds Max, select the object(s), then click Create Selection Set from 3ds Max’s menu bar and give the set a name.

Now we have a set called SphereSelectionSet.

We are now ready to export the Vertex Animation. Click on the 3ds Max icon in the top left corner and then select Export.

Select a path where you want to save your FBX file and then in the Save as type drop down menu, select Autodesk(*.FBX). Then, click the Save button.

This will open the FBX Export window.

In the FBX Export window, click the small triangle to the left of Animation to show the animation options and check the Animation checkbox.

Then click on the small triangle to the left of Point Cache File(s) to show the options and then, check the Point Cache File(s) checkbox.

Now we need to select the set that we created before in the Set drop down menu.

You should now be ready to export. Click on OK button to export.

To learn more about 3ds Max’s export process, refer to the 3ds Max, 3D Object Export guide.

You now have an exported FBX file with a folder in the same path that contains data for Vertex Animation.

Vertex Animation Import Guide

To import your Vertex Animation make sure you have both a FBX and also a folder with the XML and MC (MCX for Maya) inside. This folder should be stored at the same level as your FBX. Then, drag and drop your FBX file into the Lens Studio Scene Hierarchy panel. This will open the FBX Import Options window. The Import Vertex Animation should be checked by default.

Once the FBX is imported into Lens Studio, you should see it listed in your Scene Hierarchy panel as a new object added to the scene.

In order to check if your object(s) has a Vertex Animation, select the object. Then, in the Inspector panel make sure there is a Vertex Animation component.

To learn how to play the animation please visit the Playing 3D Animation guide.

Was this page helpful?
Yes
No

AI-Powered Search