Importing Figures from Poser

Poser supports the OBJ file format and includes a command for exporting 3D objects. The exported 3D objects from Poser can be loaded directly into Anime Studio. However, the default OBJ export feature in Poser doesn’t create OBJ files that can be cleanly loaded into Anime Studio, but there is a separate script for automating the exporting process.

Using the Poser OBJ Exporter

3D objects created in Poser can be exported easily to Anime Studio using a freely available Python script that can be obtained from the Smith Micro Web site at http://my.smithmicro.com/mac/poser/updates.html.

Once the script is downloaded and unzipped, you can place it in the Python folder where Poser is installed. You can then execute the script using the File, Run Python Script menu command in Poser. During the exporting, Poser saves the OBJ, MTL, and a number of referenced JPEG files. All of these files need to be in the same folder when importing into Anime Studio.

To export a model from Poser and import it into Anime Studio, follow these steps:

1.	Within Poser, open the Poser default man.pz3 file from the Chapter 30 folder on the CD. This file includes the default Poser man in a unique pose, as shown in Figure 30.3. Figure 30.3. A male character in Poser. [View full size image]
2.	Select the File, Run Python Script menu command from within Poser; then locate and run the PoserOBJ_Export_AnimeStudioPro.py file that was downloaded and unzipped from the Smith Micro Web site.
3.	In the File dialog box that opens, save the Poser file with the name Poser default man. The script exports all the needed files into the same folder. A message window appears telling you how successful the export was, as shown in Figure 30.4. Figure 30.4. Script export report.
4.	Open Anime Studio and select the File, Import, OBJ 3D Model menu command. In the File dialog box, select the exported Poser default man.obj file and click the OK button. This same file is located in the Chapter 30 folder on the CD also. The 3D character is loaded into Anime Studio. Note The default Poser figure is quite large and will take some time to load into Anime Studio.
5.	Select the Scripts, 3D, Auto-Scale menu command to run the scale script. Scale the 3D object to fit within the working area. Then double-click the 3D layer in the Layers palette and select the 3D Options panel and set the Edge Offset value to 0. This removes the black edge around the 3D model. The resulting model is shown in Figure 30.5.

Figure 30.5. Imported 3D model from Poser.

[View full size image]