I've been researching FBX export from Sketchup for some time now and haven't found a good FBX export option. I need to export the model's textures embedded IN the FBX file which means it has to be the binary format. The options seem pretty slim. I found one plugin from SimLabs and it actually has fewer options than what's built into Sketchup (and it breaks some of the models components).

I also found the Autodesk FBX conversion tool. IT does create a binary file but unfortunately it combines multiple parts of the material in a single mesh of the output. This breaks the texture rendering in my viewer.

Perhaps there's some Ruby code out there for doing a binary FBX export direct from the console. That would be ideal. Are there any experts here who have experience with this?

Thanks
.

Thanks for the reply thomthom. First here's a model of a table with a fitted, zipper-on cover:

Here you see the 2D template that's used create the graphics on the table cover in real life:

What I want to do is setup a scripted way of mapping the 2D image data in various template files onto the 3D model of the table. Once the alignment of the template file is done any other files would line up (if the graphics stay within the lines). The issue is that the model of the table cover isn't just 5 Face objects. As you can probably see its complex set of triangular Faces designed to mimic a fabric stretched over a table (they never change). I'm hoping to find a UV mapping tool that I can script the application of different template files. Ultimately I'd like to run the mapping from the command line so that given an input file of a template I could spit out Sketchup model with the template graphics applied.

I have access to SketchupPro and Unity. I also have no problem programming in Ruby. I actually started writing code that would do this before I stopped myself and decided to check if there was a tool out there that already did it. What do you think? Pie-in-the-sky or possible?

Thanks
.

Does anyone know of a good UV mapping plugin that has an API that can be accessed from the Sketchup Ruby API?

I need to do some mapping of 2D images onto a complex 3D form. The 2D image is a template which will never change shape. After I do the mapping of the template once I want to be able to use additional 2D graphics which follow the template. My hope is to be able apply new graphics to the 3D form from a Ruby script.

So has anyone seen a UV mapping plugins with Ruby API access?

Thanks
.