For sharing 3D models across different software, FBX file format is a popular choice due to its compatibility with various 3D software. However, exporting models with textures in FBX format can be challenging, especially for beginners.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on exporting FBX files with texture in Blender, catering to users with varying levels of experience.
Why Export Textures?
While Blender materials and textures may display correctly within Blender itself, other programs do not store material information in the same way.
Exporting an untextured FBX mesh can result in the model appearing simple or flat shaded when imported into the other application. Properly exported textures allow you to maintain complex shader trees and surface details.
Common Issues When Exporting Textures
When exporting FBX files with textures from Blender, common issues include:
- Incorrect UV mapping: UVs may not export correctly, leading to distorted textures when imported into other applications.
- Missing or incorrect textures: The FBX export might fail to embed textures, or the file paths might be wrong. This will cause blank or incorrect textures in the other software.
- Material issues: Export errors can mess up material properties, leading to problems with color, lighting, and other surface settings.
- Render engine compatibility: Blender’s Cycles renderer might not export color information correctly if the “use nodes” setting is enabled. This depends on the capabilities of your target application.
- Gamma correction: If gamma correction isn’t applied correctly during export, you could end up with darker materials when you import them.
Many 3D applications can’t replicate procedural textures like image textures. Exporting textures bakes this information into the FBX, acting as unwrapped UV maps that applications can recognize. This ensures fidelity when moving models between different workflows.
Exporting FBX with Textures
To export a model with textures from Blender using the FBX file format, follow these steps:
- Materials and Textures
Ensure that your model has a material assigned with the desired textures.
- Export Settings
Go to File > Export > FBX (.fbx).
- Option A: Embed Textures
In the Export FBX window, change “Path Mode” to “Copy”.
Check the “Embed Textures” option.
This embeds textures directly into the FBX, creating a self-contained file.
- Option B: External Textures
Leave the “Path Mode” on its default “Auto” setting.
This keeps textures as separate files, linked to the FBX through file paths.
Save: Choose a location and save your FBX model. - Save
Choose a location and save your FBX model.
Sharing Your Model
- Option A: Embedded Textures – Simply share the FBX file – everything is included.
- Option B: External Textures – Ensure the texture files are in the same relative location as the FBX file for the target application to locate them. For easy sharing, consider compressing the FBX and its textures into a ZIP archive.
Important Notes
- Verification: Always re-import your FBX into the target application to verify textures are applied correctly.
- Complex Materials: More complex material setups might require baking textures before export.
- File Size: Embedding textures can increase the FBX file size.
Pro Tips for Efficient Texture Exports
- Keep texture map sizes reasonable to avoid excessively large file sizes.
- Check model scale if textures appear distorted in other software.
- Try different texture and transform options in the export settings.
- Export FBX versions 7.4 or 7.5 for maximum compatibility.
Also Read: 4 Methods to Isolate Objects in Blender
Conclusion
Exporting FBX files with texture in Blender can be a complex process, especially for beginners. By understanding common issues and following best practices, you can ensure that your models are exported correctly and can be easily imported into other applications.