Import Dialog

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KeyShot Import

Supported file types can be imported into KeyShot in several ways:

  • by pressing Import on the Toolbar.
  • by dragging and dropping them into the Real-time View.
  • via the main menu File, Import…

When a file is designated for import, the KeyShot Import window will be displayed on the screen.
Based on the type of model you are importing, some of the options below might not be displayed in your import dialog.

Location

  • Center Geometry
    When checked, “Center Geometry” will import the model and place it in the very center of the environment. Any original 3D coordinates for the model are removed when center geometry is selected. If this option is not selected, the model will be placed in the same position in 3D space where it was originally created.
  • Snap to Ground
    When checked, “Snap to Ground” will import the model and position it directly on the ground plane. This will also remove any original 3d coordinate information.
  • Keep Original
    When Checked, “Keep Original” will import the model and retain the location of the model in relation to the original origin point. Use this for multi-import assemblies with a shared CAD origin.

Size

  • Geometry Unit
    Use this dropdown menu to choose the correct units the geometry was modeled in for the first import. The model scale will be adjusted accordingly upon second import if a different unit is selected. Available only for .wire, .3ds, .obj and .stl file formats.

Up Orientation

Not all modeling applications define the up-axis in the same manner. Depending on your application, you may need to set a different orientation other than the default “Y Up” setting. Although KeyShot will recognize the up orientation of the 3D modeling software, your model may have been built in a different orientation. If your model comes in on its side, try setting a different orientation.

Environment and Camera

  • Adjust Camera to Look at Geometry
    When checked, the camera will center to fit the imported geometry in the scene upon import.
  • Adjust Environment to Fit Geometry
    When checked, the environment will size to fit the imported geometry in the scene upon import.
  • Import Cameras
    This will add native CAD cameras to the KeyShot camera list. Only available for .fbx, .ma, .mb.


Materials and Structure

  • Group by
    Use this dropdown box to group the Scene Tree structure by Object (name), Material (type), Layer, Shader. Different options will show depending on file format. Group by Object/Layer retains assembly structure and naming for accuracy and flexibility. Group by Material/Shader flattens the hierarchy for a simpler tree structure by creating a single part for each material/shader.
  • Separate Materials by Part/Layer
    This option will isolate linked materials to each part by prefixing a part name to each material name.
  • Keep Individual Parts
    This option avoids merging of objects for troubleshooting purposes. It is recommended to try importing with this option disabled first to avoid excess separation of surfaces. Only available for .wire, .dwg, .dxf, .igs, .obj and .skp.
  • Retain Materials
    This option appears for Update and Add to Scene imports to ensure that materials that have already been assigned in the scene will be applied to the new import if the native CAD materials names match.
  • Import Layers as Groups
    Uses Layers setup in Maya to define tree structure. Available for .ma and .mb only.
  • Collapse Hierarchy
    Flattens tree structure to simplify Scene Tree. Available for .ma and .mb only.
  • Assign Materials from Library
    When this is enabled materials will be auto-assigned upon import if the native CAD materials have the same name as materials in the KeyShot Library.
  • Use Material Template
    If you have Material Templates set up in KeyShot you will have the option of using one to with the import. Material Templates can bulk assign materials from the KeyShot library to the imported parts based on the name of each part’s original material. See the Material Templates page to learn more

Geometry

  • Tessellation Quality
    Use this slider or input box to input the tessellation quality of the geometry. Lower values will import faster and higher values will import slower. It is recommended to use the default value of 0.2.
  • Accurate Tessellation
    This option will optimize tessellation triangle size for improved performance. It is suggested to enable this option if available for your import format.
  • Import NURBS Data (Pro)
    This option will bring in NURBS geometry that ensures no faceting on the model for completely smooth curves.
  • Cached Geometry
    This option allows importing of an assembly without the contained part files. Available for SolidWorks and SolidEdge only.
  • Calculate Normals
    Available for .obj only. It is recommended to try importing first with this option disabled as normals may already be included in the file.

Additional Options

  • Animation
    Keyframed Transforms imports non-deformation animations. Specific Frame imports i.e. deformations at a specified frame and does not import animations to the Timeline. Available for .abc, .ma and .mb only.
  • Curve Import Options
    Curve Radius Modified adjusts imported curve thickness. Available for .abc, .fbx, .ma and .mb only.


On this page

Importing a Second Model

The import dialogue parameters change slightly when a model is already loaded in a scene and another model is selected for import or dragged and dropped onto the Real-time View. You will see three available options:

Scene

  • Add to Scene
    When checked, this will add your model to the existing scene.
  • Update Geometry
    With this checked, the newly added geometry will update the existing geometry, if part names match, replacing the old geometry.

Importing a KeyShot BIP File

A KeyShot BIP file may also be imported. In addition to the options above, you will see new keyshot BIP options.

KeyShot BIP Import

  • Open File
    Select this if you want to open the scene in its original scene.
  • Import File
    Select this option if you want to import the scene into the currently open scene.

Environment and Camera

  • Import Cameras
    Since a BIP file is a KeyShot scene, you also have the option to import any saved cameras within the scene. Select this option if you want to import cameras in the KeyShot BIP.