[REQ] VRML importer
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Hello, I need to load VRML (.wrl) files in Sketchup and now I use another software (C4D) to convert from VRML to COLLADA, then I import it into Sketchup.
I would need a VRML Loader plugin, if someone is willing to try.
VRML files are text-based files and as I could see, they store texture paths as absolute paths (eg. url "C:\Textures\mytexture.jpg" ),so if the file is moved to a different computer, It will not recognize textures unless I have the same Textures directory placed in exactly same place like on the original station.
So, for importing such files, it would be useful that if the texture is not found on the implicit location, to search for it in other defined location (eg. in "Texture Images" directory preset in SketchUp).Thank you very much.
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As you can already covert wrl to dae [e.g. with Blender] and import those into your SKP, why not simply edit the wrl files before converting to dae ?
Get Notepad++.exe and then open the wrl file with it, and search for 'url [' and see if it is not relative to the wrl file, if it's not then from the 'url [' text get the 'path' and then remove the unwanted part e.g. find+replace_all 'url ["C:"' >>> 'url [' so 'url ["C:\Textures\mytexture.jpg]"' becomes 'url ["Textures\mytexture.jpg"]'... and keep those texture-image files with the wrl inside a 'Textures' folder ?? OR remove the entire path leaving only the texture-files' names and then keep all of them in the same folder as the wrl ? Save the edited wrl file, convert to dae and import that into SKP... -
@tig said:
As you can already covert wrl to dae [e.g. with Blender]
I was looking for an automated process, because the VRML files are coming from a specialized engineering software that is not capable to make presentations. And there are many files and things must go fast. On the other hand, one more software used to convert this file will make the workflow slower. Now we use Cinema4D to convert wrl to dae. At first, C4D was used to make renderings, but it't time consuming to make the materials. So, I suggested Sketchup + Twilight. You must agree that TW has the fastest material editor
But I would like to get rid of third software, as I am using it only for conversion.A quick-fix for textures was to duplicate the Textures folder from the original computer, on that one where the import is made. So, same location is present on both. Still, if there is a new texture, somebody must be sure that both directories are updated. This is why I was hoping to a automated texture search, trough network (in a specified directory).
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Sketchup 8 Pro can export VRML, can it import as well ??
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@dan rathbun said:
Sketchup 8 Pro can export VRML, can it import as well ??
No, it can't. That is why for now I'm stuck with wrl -> dae.
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Other threads on this topic:
SketchUcation:
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import VRML (.wrl)
Google Groups:
How can I import VRML files into Google Sketchup??
- import VRML (.wrl) [old archive group]
An old post on VRML export from Sketchup:
I checked SYCODE, but they do not have a VRML import plugin. (Perhaps you could ask them to create one? .. volunteer to be a beta tester for such a plugin.)
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As this sounds like a job with a budget, why not use a dedicated converter like PolyTrans?
It will take your files directly to skp.
For synchronizing folders between computers Dropbox may be a solution? -
The VRML file format 'wrl' code IS quite readable and it would be possible to make a parser to read it in and then use it in creating new faces, materials or instances etc - somewhat like my olde OBJimporter.rb [that works slowly and with some flakiness]...
However, it would really be a major undertaking... So if you are serious about doing this as a project then it's unlikely to be 'free' - so PM me with your budget and I'll let you know if I think that I [or someone else] could be reasonably expected to produce such a juggernaut within a reasonable timescale...
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@tig said:
The VRML file format 'wrl' code IS quite readable and it would be possible to make a parser to read it in and then use it in creating new faces, materials or instances etc - somewhat like my olde OBJimporter.rb [that works slowly and with some flakiness]...
However, it would really be a major undertaking... So if you are serious about doing this as a project then it's unlikely to be 'free' - so PM me with your budget and I'll let you know if I think that I [or someone else] could be reasonably expected to produce such a juggernaut within a reasonable timescale...Thanks TIG, I will discuss the matter and if it will be considered as an option, I will PM you.
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In case you didn't know - behind the .wrl format there are two different VRML standards, VRML (VRML95) and VRML2(VRML97). Many programs can write both, but only read VRML, so I suppose the VRML2 is quite different, and more difficult to parse.
Maybe you should check what version you're getting? -
@tig said:
So if you are serious about doing this as a project then it's unlikely to be 'free' -
Yup, SYCODE sells commercial import/export plugins.
I suggested volunteering as a beta tester because they are often rewarded with a free license of the released version.
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In addition, I thought X3D was the successor to VRML?
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Go to:
http://www.ctrlview.com/file_upload.php-navigate to your file location & upload your *.wrl file
ON NEXT SCREEN
-specify which *.wrl file (vrml or vrml 2)
-choose your specifics (true color, rotation, view mode, view type)
-in the "convert to format" drop down menu, select your preferred output format (I choose dxf, skp output wasn't valid output format at this time) in conversion
-press the "view/convert" button
-select the link "Click here to get converted file" (in blue), it will begin your converted file download
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