design automation api: 3ds max svf import

Question

im trying to use 3ds max design automation api to generate lightmap UVs and bake AO (using the flatiron plugin) Few questions regarding that before I dive deep.

1. does max support svf import directly in max for the design automation api? (I know it supports svf export). I tried looking at the docs and this was not clear.

2. For the svf export option, does svf support a second set of UVs ? If there is a spec for this format that would be great.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hopefully this can help.

1. 3ds Max does not support SVF import. Only export.
2. There is no public spec for the svf format as far as I know. See this previous question/answer here: Is there a specification available for the Autodesk SVF format?.

Note: I am not familiar with the flatiron plugin but it seems like a commercial plugin with its own licensing system. You might have a hard time repackaging the plugin to making it work on Design Automation because of the licensing.

If you aren't aware you might want to take a look at the new bakeToTexture feature that was introduced in 3dsMax 2021. Here are some useful links about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2iZhmrNwwU&ab_channel=KemetCorporation

http://help.autodesk.com/view/3DSMAX/2021/ENU/?guid=GUID-B67A2495-89E4-464A-8913-35C957E950EB

http://help.autodesk.com/view/3DSMAX/2021/ENU/?guid=GUID-BC5AE8EA-A88C-4CF3-AF63-4C45FB48EEB5