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ModelconverterX and transparencies

kevinfirth

kevinfirth

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unitedkingdom
I'm trying to create models using transparencies for FSX in Sketchup. Using a 32bit BMP with an alpha channel I can use textures with transparencies in Sketchup with no problem apparently - everything displays as it should.

The problem comes when I try to import a saved .dae file (exported from Sketchup using the transparent textures) into ModelconverterX.

transparencyinmodelconverterx.jpg


All textures are then shown with a black and white checkerboard. I've gone into the material editor and clicked on 'Set default transparent' but it's still the same. When I look at the event log the error message below appears.

19:23 ObjectRenderer Warning Failed to load texture: texture0.bmp

Is there something simple I'm missing or doing wrong please?!?!

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer :)
 
Hi,

It sounds like ModelConverterX did not find the textures, in that case the alpha channel also won't be recognised automatically.

Normally SketchUp will export the texture to a folder with the same name as the model. In the DAE files the textures are given with a path to there. Is that the case for you as well?
 
Still doesnt work

Thanks for the quick reply Arno!!! :O

Yes the texture is in a folder with the same name as the model.

I've tried various combinations of locations - First I've copied the BMP texture file into the same folder as the .dae file and reloaded into ModelconverterX but still get the checkerboard. I then went back to Sketchup and changed the texture file location reference in the material editor to the new location and re-exported as .dae again. Then reloaded that in MCX and still got the checkerboard.

This morning I've deleted all files apart from the original SU file and the texture. I've made sure first of all that the texture link in the SU file is accurate and it displays ok in SU. I've re-exported the .dae file and checked that it has created a new folder with the same name - all ok so far! There is a copy of the texture within the new folder. I then loaded the .dae into ModelconverterX and am still getting the checkerboard. :s

I've now gone and removed the alpha channel from the BMP texture file, reloaded it in Sketchup and as expected the transparency has disappeared. I re-exported as a separate dae file and got exactly the same checkerboard when I loaded it into MCX. I've also tried loading in another model which worked perfectly in the past and that had the same result :(

So..My reasoning would be that that means it isn't a problem with the texture locations, or a problem with the textures themselves? Or if it still could be, what else could be causing this problem? Is there any other info I can provide which may help?

transparencyworking.jpg


EDIT: OK I had a brainwave - I am running a 2 OS system, one XP one w7. I had an older version of MCX on the XP drive and the newest development release on W7. From within W7 I opened up the old MCX exe and when the dae file was opened in that it appeared perfectly. So there may be something in the new development release that's causing a problem? The version that appears to be working is 1.3.0.0 r989 DEV 07/05/2011.

Thanks
k
 
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More Woes

Tonight I tried to export from MCX to an FSX model.

The following error msgs were generated and the resulting .mdl file was 0k in size. :(

export_error_msgs.jpg


I'm afraid it doesn't make much sense to me - and just when I thought I'd got it cracked! Sorry to ask for help again so quickly! *hides*

k
 
Do you have your decimal separator in Windows Regional Settings set to the period? (.) It often won't work if set to the comma.

Hope this helps,
 
Hi,

The problem seems to be the GUID, although ModelConverterX should set that automatically for you.

Another thing I notice is that you use a filename with brackets, spaces and dots in it. I would try a more simple name to export to.

About your earlier texture problem. Can you send me the DAE file that works with the older release, but not with the recent one? I made some changes recently to how the textures are loaded, but it seems for your file that does not work.
 
dae files

Unfortunately I've overwritten it with a new version :( I've tried to attach the re-exported dae file instead - it should suffice as its the same sketchup file with the same texture, just not the original file..... (The forum wouldn't let me upload a dae file though - how can i get it to you?)

Changing the filename worked though and it managed to export a MDL with a valid GUID. Thanks for that hint :)

LOL but now I've managed to put the MDL in a library and placed the object in FSX. The object itself is just a box warehouse with a square red box inside it. (The reasoning being that if you can see the red box the transparency has worked!) The red box is clearly visible in FSX itself but none of the rest of the model is displayed :p Any texture with some transparent element hasn't shown up at all!

Admittedly all I did with the model in Sketchup was texture the outside of the model - would I need to do the inside reverse face with the texture as well in order for it to display properly? Or is there something else again that I'm missing!!!???!!! :)

(Getting there one problem at a time :p)
Cheers
k
 
Hi,

Did you convert your textures to a format FSX can read? 24 bit BMP is not supported for example. It is usually best to use DDS files.
 
Stupid me!

Doh! Yes I did use MCX to change the texture to dds - but I remember I didn't copy it to the texture folder... GRRRR what a schoolboy error!!! I'll update that and try again :)

EDIT: It works :) Thankyou ever so much for your patience and help :)

transparencyinfsx.jpg
 
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Glad to see it is working. We have all made those mistakes before :).
 
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