Viz Artist can Import Files (Fonts, Images, Geometries, Scenes, Audio clips) and Import Archives (archives have the filename extension .via). Archives are, if possible, self contained and complete. This means that if a user archives one or more Scenes, then all referenced items in the scene, including links, fonts, images and so on, are archived. A user can choose to archive only individual items such as some fonts or some images.

All items used in Viz Artist are stored in the Graphic Hub (GH). Viz Artist connects to the GH through a network connection, even if the GH is local. The Graphic Hub is a database, and every file in the Graphic Hub is uniquely identified by its UUID (a unique identifier number). Files in the Graphic Hub can have links. This means that possibly several Paths/Names can link (or point) to the same file in the GH database.

Right-click on any item in the Server Panel and select Show Properties, to view its UUID, its Path/Name and Link information.

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Tip: It is strongly recommended to have a clear and well communicated plan for organizing the paths and naming conventions for all resources in the Graphic Hub. This makes life easier for users and import/export operations are easier to do without the creation of clutter.

Note: If Viz Artist is running in Viz Engine mode, the import is limited to only import archives.

This section contains information on the following topics:

Import Window
Import Menu
Supported Files for Import
- Fonts
- Image Files
- Video Files
- 3D Formats
- Scene Formats
- Audio
- Geometries
- Substances
- Archives

Import Window

To Open the Import Window, click Import on the main menu or press F9.

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The Import Window consists of two panels:

Server Panel: Gives access to all folders and projects in the Graphic Hub (1).
Import Panel: Gives access to the source drives, where assets can be imported from (2).

Import Menu

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The Import menu is positioned at the top of the Import Window. When an item type is selected from the menu, only the assets of that particular type are listed in the file list.

Supported Files for Import

The following file formats are supported for import:

Import of Files and Archives
Image Files
Import of Files and Archives
3D Formats
Scene Formats
Import of Files and Archives
Geometries
Import of Files and Archives
Archives

Fonts

The most common file formats for fonts are supported. Please observe however, that path rendering of fonts is not supported for fonts imported with Font Import set to Windows (Advanced) in Font/Text Options in Viz Configuration.

Type	Comments
Adobe Type1 fonts	Postscript Type 1 fonts (.pfb files).
Adobe Type2 fonts	Postscript Type 2 fonts.
True type fonts	Recommended, most common format.

Image Files

Viz Artist supports a wide range of industry standard image file formats.

Format	Comments
.bmp	Bitmap
.bw	Black and white raster image (SGI). Legacy support.
.exr	OpenEXR HDR image format (ILM)
.gif	Graphics Interchange Format.
.hdr	High Dynamic Range Image File.
.jp2	JPEG 2000 compressed images
.jpeg, .jpg	JPEG standard image format
.pict	QuickDraw native graphics format
.pix	Alias Systems Corporation bitmap file format
.png	Portable Network Graphics. Lossless raster graphics.
.psd	Layers defined in a Photoshop file are imported as separate images into the database.
.tga	Truevision TARGA
.tiff, .tif	Tagged Image File Format
.xpm	X11 pixmap

Video Files

Format	Comments
MPEG2 IFrameHD with alpha	Can only be imported with the Adobe After Effects importer (see Adobe After Effects)

3D Formats

Format	Comments
3ds Max (.3ds/.fbx)	Autodesk Max 3Ds file format. Fbx is a 3D file format supported by many 3D vendors.
Autocad (.dxf)	Drawing Interchange Format.
Maya (.fbx)	FBX for Maya
Softimage (.fbx)	FBX for Softimage
VRML 2.0	Virtual Reality Modeling Language
VRML including animation	Virtual Reality Modeling Language
Wavefront (.obj)	Geometry definition file format

Scene Formats

Scenes created in certain other 3D applications can be imported to Viz Artist. However, any geometry that is to be imported must be a polygon geometry. Pay special attention to this when importing geometries from CINEMA 4D, as these must have been saved as a .c4d file with the Save Polygons for Melange option enabled (Located under Edit > Preferences > Files in CINEMA 4D), to make sure that all items saved are stored with their corresponding polygon data.

Format	Comments
After Effects (.aep)	See Adobe After Effects. Note: A license is required for the use of Adobe After Effects and the import of Adobe After Effects Scenes, issued by Vizrt.
CINEMA 4D (.c4d)	See CINEMA 4D. Note: A license is required for the import of CINEMA 4D Scene, issued by Vizrt.
Autodesk (.fbx)	FBX is a 3D asset exchange format compatible with many 3D tools (see FBX Files).

Audio

There are two ways to capture audio in the Viz Engine: through Matrox or a DirectSound compatible device. Video clips can have interleaved audio in it. Maximum 16 channels, minimum two (stereo) as mono is not supported. The format is limited to 24-bit and 48 kHz.

The following formats are supported for Clips:

Format	Comment
WAVE	Up to 96 kHz, 24 bit and 16 Channels. The recommended format.
MP3	All Formats (Stereo only).
Ogg Vorbis	All Formats, up to 16 Channels.

Geometries

All geometries imported to Viz Artist must be polygon geometries.

Format
.obj
.3ds

Substances

Format
.sbsar

Viz Artist User Guide

Import of Files and Archives