Search Unity

  1. Megacity Metro Demo now available. Download now.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Unity support for visionOS is now available. Learn more in our blog post.
    Dismiss Notice

[RELEASED] COLLADA Exporter v1.1 now available

Discussion in 'Assets and Asset Store' started by fl4re1, Aug 23, 2012.

  1. fl4re1

    fl4re1

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2012
    Posts:
    5
    With this Unity extension to the editor's 'file' menu, you can take your work from Unity to any COLLADA (.dae format) importing application, such as Apple's Preview or iBook, Photoshop, Autodesk Max or Maya, Google Earth, SketchUp, (even back into Unity!) as well as most digital content creation tools, including your own COLLADA importing applications.

    This extension to the Unity file menu allows you to export COLLADA (.dae) files from Unity. It is very easy to set up and use. Thorough documentation is included in this $15 package you can find at http://u3d.as/content/fl4re/collada-dae-exporter-for-unity/3cC

    Changes in v1.1:
    Added Terrain export, including trees.
    Cleaned up texture PNG export options.
    Added ‘convert names to XML’ option.
    + minor fixes/typos

    Already supports animation, skinning, export of individual models or entire scenes.
    Questions? Send email to rita@fl4re.com for more info
     
  2. mk1978

    mk1978

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2009
    Posts:
    276
    It seems that the package content is empty in Asset Store. Or am I missing something?
     
  3. PolyVector

    PolyVector

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2011
    Posts:
    765
    Just what I needed!

    Is the source avaliable or is it a DLL?
     
  4. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    It is a DLL.
     
  5. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    The package has been updated and is available again on the Asset Store.
     
  6. PolyVector

    PolyVector

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2011
    Posts:
    765
    Any chance for a open source version? I could really use this, but I myself won't buy binary packages, I've been burned by them before.
     
  7. PatBGames

    PatBGames

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    120
    Regarding the low price of this plugin and the big interest I have in it, I've bought it to test its features.

    My main interest is to import existing animated characters that work with Unity into Blender 3D to slightly modify their mesh and to add or modify some animations.

    Like most models used with Unity are provided on FBX format, I've previously tried to import them into Blender 3D using the AutoDesk FBX to collada exporter, but without success (errors when importing animations from *.dae into Blender 3D).

    On a side note, the actual default Blender 3D Collada importer works very well with animated characters from Mixamo (no more need on third party importer).

    So, I've tested your Collada exporter for Unity with the main character of the AngryBot demo and the walking mine enemy. The integration into the editor is very well and the selection works both on Project and Hierarchy window (good point). I've exported my selection to a Collada file and imported it into the latest version of Blender 3D (2.63a with default Collada importer).

    The result let me puzzled. With my first try, the mesh was correct, but the animation seems to have scale problems and coordinate problems.

    After trying to change animation export settings with your tool, I've got several error messages like "index out of range" and "NullReferenceException"

    Code (csharp):
    1. NullReferenceException
    2. COLLADA_Export.AddObjectToDAE (UnityEngine.Transform t, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 ln, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lp, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lg, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lm, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 le, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 li, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lc, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 ll, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 la, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lcc, CreateTransforms createTransforms)
    3. COLLADA_Export.AddObjectToDAE (UnityEngine.Transform t, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 ln, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lp, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lg, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lm, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 le, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 li, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lc, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 ll, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 la, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 lcc)
    4. COLLADA_Export.Export ()
    5. COLLADA_Export.OnGUI ()
    6. System.Reflection.MonoMethod.Invoke (System.Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, System.Reflection.Binder binder, System.Object[] parameters, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture)
    7.  
    Your tool seems very promising and I'm highly interested by it. Feel free to contact me (patmail # aftermoon.net) for more detail about crashs and export settings.

    I've attached some collada files produced with your tool from animated models of the AngryBots demo. If some experienced users of Blender 3D or other 3D tools want to try them, I would be happy to have more advice.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    I apologize for the delay. It seems the forum did not send me your comment even tho I am subscribed to this thread. Frustrating! Please email us at contact@fl4re.com to discuss licensing source.
     
  9. fl4re1

    fl4re1

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2012
    Posts:
    5
    Thanks for the feedback.

    I use preview on a Mac (simply double-click on the .dae, push 'play' to check the animations). This is the best free COLLADA importer/viewer I have yet seen. It is also very strict, so a COLLADA file that is not correct will be rejected with a simple error message saying preview does not recognize the file.

    On the PC I do not know of a good viewer, but the same verification code included in preview is available there - http://sourceforge.net/projects/col...DA Coherency Test/Collada Coherency Test 1.3/ . Source code is available as well as pre-compiled for windows, linux and mac. I understand there is also a validator that is part of the openCOLLADA distribution, I have not used it yet myself.

    With those tools you can first check the validity of a COLLADA document, this helps to first check the document when having a import problem. Hopefully there is no such problems with the Unity COLLADA exporter. I will of course fix any such problem ASAP.

    All your attached files open fine in preview, with the animations, except for mech_bot.dae that had some vertices projected at infinity.
    One thing I had to do though, is to replace the PNG textures with PNG24, removing the transparency so I can see the diffuse color correctly. This is one of the options of the exporter.

    I noticed that the matrix on the top of the scene id a 0.01 scaled 90 degree rotation over X. Removing this matrix (deleting the first <matrix> line after the <visual_scene> in the file with a text editor) solves the problem for preview.

    I am puzzled how you got a scale in there, as I located and exported all 3 instanced of mech_bot from the angrybot demo and did not have a scale exported.

    Another way to look at the exported models is to try to import them back into Unity, grab and drop a COLLADA model in the 'project' window trigger FBX to import the COLLADA document. FBX does a decent job at importing COLLADA at least since 3.5. The models import well but the animations don't import correctly. I am not sure what the issue is since it works fine in Mac preview but I should investigate.

    I am not sure if any of this will help you in regards to Blender, but it seems that Blender importer is having problem with importing animations. Best is to provide the Blender community with an exported model that works fine in preview and ask them to look into the issue. I'll contact you by email to see how I can help with that.

    Now, you definitely found a bug in the exporter - the 'index out of range' crash is abnormal. It would be great if you could reproduce the issue and let me know what options you had selected. Maybe you can take a screen shot of the COLLADA export option panel before pushing 'export' ?
     
  10. nukeD

    nukeD

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2009
    Posts:
    411
    Question:
    I import my models into unity place/scale/rotate them around and compose the level, now i want to export the whole scene with the correctly placed models to other programs for tweaking of geometry/lightmapping etc.
    Is this process possible with your tool?

    Thank you!
     
  11. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    Yes, that is one use model for the tool :)

     
  12. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    [RELEASED] COLLADA Exporter v1.1.1 now available!
    Changes in v1.1.1:
    Added 'Animation Clips option’
    Added 'fix names to valid'
    + minor fixes/typos


     
  13. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    BTW, this was tested with Blender and works okay but the Blender importer does not seem to keep multiple clips information.
    s
     
  14. nukeD

    nukeD

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2009
    Posts:
    411
    Thank you!
    Purchased!
    Working perfectly >> Thanks!
     
  15. sathya

    sathya

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Posts:
    297
    So can i use this extension to export the entire scene created in unity to third party application to create lightmaps and get it back !
     
  16. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    Yes, that is the idea! Please let me know if something doesn't work as expected. Thanks.
     
  17. Lars-Steenhoff

    Lars-Steenhoff

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2007
    Posts:
    3,521
    When exporting a full scene I get many black png textures, any idea what causes this?
     
  18. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    I am guessing that you are running into a Unity bug that has been reported many times already. Google for '16 bit format doesn't work with getpixels'. Could you see if the black images are 16 bits?

    An easy way to deal with this is for you to take the original image and use another software to convert it to 16 bits png, or any other format you want to take advantage off.

    Workflow would be to first export the scene with the option to save all the images, manually fix the images that conversion did not work, and for subsequent exports, to make sure you select 'do not export images' (and keep a copy of the blessed images).

    In future version of the exporter I will detect this, emmit a warning and not save the png file at all. That is until Unity fixes the bug.
     
  19. Lars-Steenhoff

    Lars-Steenhoff

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2007
    Posts:
    3,521
    Some of them were PSD 16 bit indeed, but others were 8 bit PSD and also some were already PNG and then exported again to 24 bit PNG gives black.

    Thanks for looking into this issue
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2012
  20. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    No problem. Please send me one or two of these problematic images (contact @ fl4re dot com) and we'll take a look at them.
     
  21. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    FYI: we just tested the COLLADA exporter with 4.0 and it works just fine.
     
  22. Ippokratis

    Ippokratis

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Posts:
    1,521
    Hi,
    I purchased the package and tried to export characters from unity mecanim demo.
    The operation gave a Null reference error and I was left with a non removable progress bar.
    I had to force quit unity to resume work. I repeated the procedure many times with different models, always having the same result.
    I use Unity Pro 4.0.0f7 on Max OsX 10.8.2. To reproduce the problem, download unity mecanim demo from the asset store and try to extract any of the characters. I would appreciate some help.
    Kind regards,
    -Ippokratis
     
  23. PrimeDerektive

    PrimeDerektive

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2009
    Posts:
    3,090
    Could this tool potentially be used to export an animated model with .anim clips on a legacy animation component (that are targeted to the model's rig, like mixamo-purchased animations), so it can be re-imported with the animations on the importer, so they can be used as retargetable mecanim animations?
     
  24. fl4re1

    fl4re1

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2012
    Posts:
    5
    Sorry about the delay answering, due to the holidays.
    Please contact us directly by email (contact @ fl4re dot com) so we can look into this issue.

    Regards
    -- Remi

     
  25. fl4re1

    fl4re1

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2012
    Posts:
    5
    This should work. Please contact us by email (contact @ fl4re dot com) so we can run a test.
     
  26. Ippokratis

    Ippokratis

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Posts:
    1,521
    Remi,
    I do not understand why should I contact you via email. In any case, I just send it anyway.
    I have gave you a full report regarding the issue I have with your asset. I will happily provide more info if necessary. I would appreciate a response regarding the possibility to fix it or not, as well as an estimated timeframe. It is not about a feature I wish your package has, it is about a feature that you advertise as working ( the ability to export geometry into dae format ) and does not work for me with a package provided out of charge ( thus is easy to test it yourself) from unity ( thus it is as "standard" as possible ). I totally understand the vacation part and I totally understand that new unity versions can cause issues. On the other hand, the ( very reasonably priced ) you are selling does not work for me and I wish some response regarding this issue.
    Kind regards,
    Ippokratis
     
  27. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    Because that's the only we can send you a fix and privately exchange data to track down your issue.
    note: We got your email, thanks.
     
  28. Ippokratis

    Ippokratis

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Posts:
    1,521
    Hi,
    I wish to report that after upgrading to the latest version, I am able to export skinned meshes without problems.
    I am also very satisfied from the fast response via email.
    Thanks,
    -Ippokratis
     
  29. fl4re1

    fl4re1

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2012
    Posts:
    5
  30. quintella

    quintella

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2013
    Posts:
    1
    hi,
    After purchased and install COLLADA Exporter Version 1.2.0, collada export menu is ok, but the export button on the collada exporter windows does not exist.

    I'm using windows 7 and unity 4.1.0f4 (free), any suggestions?

    $ColladaExporter.png
     
  31. techmage

    techmage

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2009
    Posts:
    2,133
    can this be used at runtime on an iPad?
     
  32. ritaturk

    ritaturk

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    13
    No, sorry.
     
  33. Migueljb

    Migueljb

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2008
    Posts:
    562
    This keeps crashing unity on export. Doesn't matter what export options or any kind of mesh I use at the end of the export unity crashes. I'm using the latest unity 4.5.0f6. Any one else using this and getting crashes in unity on export?
     
  34. jsremi

    jsremi

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Posts:
    5
    What is the exporter version ?
    Are you on Windows or Mac ?
    Have you tried with previous versions of Unity ?

    Please continue this conversation sending an email at contact@fl4re.com.

    Thanks
     
  35. MikeTon

    MikeTon

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2013
    Posts:
    57
    Hey, I'm wondering does this export mecanim animations to dae?

    Let me know. Thanks.
     
  36. radimoto

    radimoto

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2012
    Posts:
    257
    Will Collada Exporter be updated to support Unity 5? At the moment even trying to export a single mesh just bombs out with the following errors:

    COLLADA
    --------- Outer Exception Data ---------Message: Method not found: 'UnityEngine.TreeInstance.get_prototypeIndex'.
    Exception Type: System.MissingMethodException
    Source: collada_exporter
    StrackTrace: at COLLADA_Export.ToDAE (System.Collections.Generic.List`1 root, System.Collections.Generic.List`1 references, Boolean traverseOnly, Boolean noRootTransform) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0
    at COLLADA_Export.Export () [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0
    TargetSite: COLLADA_1_4.COLLADA ToDAE(System.Collections.Generic.List`1[UnityEngine.Transform], System.Collections.Generic.List`1[UnityEngine.Transform], Boolean, Boolean)

    UnityEngine.Debug:LogError(Object)
    COLLADA_Helpers.Debug:LogError(Object)
    COLLADA_Helpers.COLLADA_Helpers:WriteExceptionInfo(String, Exception)
    COLLADA_Helpers.COLLADA_Helpers:DumpException(Exception)
    COLLADA_Export:Export()
    COLLADA_Export:OnGUI()
     
  37. sipon

    sipon

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2009
    Posts:
    143
  38. JoeStrout

    JoeStrout

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2011
    Posts:
    9,859