If you've been working with XGen in Maya, you know how powerful it can be for creating realistic hair, fur, and other types of instanced geometry. However, if you've ever tried to export your XGen primitives to OBJ, you may have run into some challenges. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of exporting XGen to OBJ in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Set up your XGen primitives
Before you can export your XGen primitives to OBJ, you'll need to make sure they're set up correctly within Maya. This may involve grooming your hair or fur using XGen's intuitive tools, or positioning instanced geometry on your model. Whatever the case may be, be sure to take the time to get your XGen primitives looking exactly how you want them before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Convert XGen to Geometry
Once your XGen primitives are looking just right, it's time to convert them to geometry that can be exported as an OBJ file. In Maya, go to the XGen menu and select 'Convert to Geometry'. This will create a new geometry group in your outliner that contains the converted XGen primitives as regular geometry.
Step 3: Export as OBJ
With your XGen primitives now converted to regular geometry, it's time to export them as an OBJ file. Select the geometry group that contains your converted XGen primitives, then go to File > Export Selection. In the export options, be sure to set the file format to OBJ and choose a file name and location for your exported OBJ file. Click 'Export' to save your XGen primitives as an OBJ file.
Step 4: Check your OBJ file
Once you've exported your XGen primitives as an OBJ file, it's a good idea to open the file in a 3D viewing program to make sure everything looks as expected. Check for any issues with the exported geometry, such as missing parts or incorrect positioning. If everything looks good, you're all set!
In conclusion, exporting XGen to OBJ is a straightforward process that involves setting up your XGen primitives, converting them to geometry, and exporting them as an OBJ file. With this step-by-step guide, you'll be able to successfully export your XGen creations to OBJ and use them in any 3D application of your choice. Happy exporting!
