This is the most common version of the exporter, designed to bridge SketchUp models to the 3D Rad engine.
: Converts SketchUp geometry into DirectX (.x) files that 3D Rad can import as rigid bodies or skinmeshes. Installation The plugin usually comes as an For SketchUp 2016 and later, it is typically placed in the folder found in the user's AppData directory (e.g.,
C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2016\SketchUp\Plugins
: Once installed, an "Extensions" or "3D Rad" menu option appears in SketchUp, allowing you to select "Export as generic DirectX file". Blender Exporter Plugin
A dedicated script also exists for Blender users to prepare assets for 3D Rad. Capabilities : Can export meshes, rigid bodies, and even animations. Installation
: Involves placing an executable in the 3D Rad installation directory and installing a script via Blender's plugin manager. Key Detail
: When exporting animations, it may output them in a sequential mesh format (e.g., ) rather than a single combined model. Common Alternatives & Troubleshooting FragMOTION : If direct plugins fail, many users use fragMOTION
as an intermediary to import OBJ files and export them as the specific DirectX files required by 3D Rad. Texture Issues
: Users sometimes report texture mapping problems when exporting directly from SketchUp Free/Make, occasionally requiring secondary tools like ZbylsXExporter for better results. download link
This plugin is essential for developers looking to export models into the DirectX (.x) format, which 3D Rad uses for physical and visual rendering.
Below is a draft for a technical paper or documentation guide titled "Seamless Integration: Utilizing the 3D Rad Exporter for Game Asset Pipelines."
Seamless Integration: Utilizing the 3D Rad Exporter for Game Asset Pipelines 1. Introduction
The development of interactive 3D environments often requires specialized tools to bridge the gap between architectural modeling and real-time game engines. The 3D Rad Exporter is a lightweight plugin designed to facilitate the conversion of static 3D models—most notably from SketchUp—into the DirectX (.x) format used by the 3D Rad Game Engine. This paper outlines the installation, workflow, and technical considerations for utilizing this exporter in a modern production pipeline. 2. Technical Overview
The primary function of the exporter is to translate geometric data and texture coordinates into a format compatible with 3D Rad’s physics and rendering systems.
Core Function: Converts 3D meshes into generic DirectX (.x) files. 3d rad exporter plugin
Format: Typically distributed as an .rbz or .rbs file for easy installation in SketchUp.
Compatibility: While originally developed for older versions of SketchUp (e.g., SketchUp 8 or 2016), it remains a staple for the 3D Rad community due to its reliability in handling backfaces and texture mapping. 3. Installation and Configuration
To ensure a successful export, the plugin must be correctly integrated into the host software’s environment:
Installation: Download the .rbz file and use the Extension Manager in SketchUp to install it.
Location: Once installed, the tool typically appears under the Extensions or Plugins menu as "3D Rad".
Dependencies: Ensure that textures are saved in standard formats (like .jpg or .png) and that model axes are aligned with the 3D Rad coordinate system to prevent orientation issues upon import. 4. Export Workflow
The process of moving a model from the drafting stage to the game engine involves several critical steps:
Geometry Preparation: All faces should be properly oriented. The exporter includes an option to export backfaces, which is crucial for complex or thin-walled objects.
The Export Command: Selecting "Export as generic DirectX file" triggers the conversion.
Engine Import: Within 3D Rad, the resulting .x file can be imported as a skinmesh or a rigidbody, allowing for either purely visual assets or physically interactive objects. 5. Challenges and Solutions
Coordinate Misalignment: Models may appear rotated or off-center in the game engine. Users are encouraged to center their models at the origin (0,0,0) before exporting.
Legacy Software Support: As software evolves, some users may find the plugin difficult to run on the latest OS versions. Compatibility modes or utilizing intermediary software like fragMOTION can help bridge version gaps. 6. Conclusion
The 3D Rad Exporter remains a vital, cost-effective tool for hobbyists and indie developers. By streamlining the transition from a drafting workbench to a live game environment, it allows creators to focus on design and interactivity rather than technical file conversion hurdles. Key Resources Question about Sketchup and the 3D Rad exporter
The 3D Rad Exporter Plugin is a vital bridge for developers using the 3D Rad game engine, allowing them to import custom assets from popular modeling software like SketchUp and Blender. 3D Rad is a free, no-code 3D game creation tool that relies on specifically formatted .x (DirectX) files to render objects, physics, and animations within its environment. Why You Need an Exporter Plugin This is the most common version of the
While 3D Rad comes with preloaded objects, creating unique games requires custom 3D models. However, many modern 3D suites do not natively support the specific DirectX binary mesh format required by the engine. The exporter plugin automates this conversion, ensuring that geometry and, in some cases, textures are preserved during the transfer. Supported Software and Installation
Plugins are available for several major 3D design platforms:
SketchUp: This is perhaps the most common use case. Users can download the 3DRadExporter (often found as an .rb or .rbz file) and place it in the SketchUp plugins folder (e.g., AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2016/SketchUp/Plugins). Once installed, an "Export as generic DirectX file" option appears under the Extensions menu.
Blender: A dedicated addon allows Blender users to export meshes, rigidbodies, and even animations directly to 3D Rad. It typically requires placing an .exe in the 3D Rad directory and installing a .py script via Blender’s plugin manager.
EasyView2: The 3D Rad Exporter for SketchUp is also highly recommended for users of the EasyView2 3D visualizer, as it provides a reliable way to generate compatible .x files. Key Features and Best Practices
To get the most out of your 3D models in the engine, keep these technical points in mind: Question about Sketchup and the 3D Rad exporter
What is a 3D RAD Exporter Plugin?
A 3D RAD Exporter Plugin is a software component that allows users to export 3D models from a 3D modeling or computer-aided design (CAD) software into a format compatible with 3D RAD, a game engine and rendering platform.
What is 3D RAD?
3D RAD is a game engine and rendering platform that allows developers to create 3D graphics, games, and interactive applications. It provides a range of tools and features for creating and rendering 3D content, including support for physics, animation, and lighting.
Why do I need a 3D RAD Exporter Plugin?
If you are a 3D modeler or designer using software such as Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, or SolidWorks, and you want to export your 3D models into 3D RAD, you need a 3D RAD Exporter Plugin. The plugin allows you to export your 3D models in a format that can be imported and used in 3D RAD, without having to manually convert or reformat the data.
Key Features of a 3D RAD Exporter Plugin
Here are some key features you might expect to find in a 3D RAD Exporter Plugin: Format compatibility : The plugin should be able
Popular 3D RAD Exporter Plugins
Here are some popular 3D RAD Exporter Plugins:
How to Install and Use a 3D RAD Exporter Plugin
The installation and usage process may vary depending on the specific plugin and software you are using. Here are general steps:
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some common issues you might encounter when using a 3D RAD Exporter Plugin:
Conclusion
A 3D RAD Exporter Plugin is a valuable tool for 3D modelers and designers who want to export their 3D models into 3D RAD. By understanding the key features, popular plugins, and installation and usage process, you can successfully export your 3D models and bring your creative visions to life in 3D RAD.
If you want to build a "3D Rad Exporter" for a specific software (like Blender), do not build a 3D Rad plugin. Build a Blender Python Add-on.
Why? 3D Rad imports standard formats (OBJ, X, 3DS). If you write a plugin that exports to these formats from Blender/Maya, 3D Rad will automatically accept them.
Step-by-Step for a Blender Exporter:
bpy.context.selected_objects..obj file.
import bpy
import bmesh
def export_to_3drad(filepath):
obj = bpy.context.active_object
mesh = obj.data
with open(filepath, 'w') as f:
f.write("# Exported for 3D Rad\n")
for v in mesh.vertices:
f.write(f"v v.co.x v.co.y v.co.z\n")
# ... handle faces ...
# Add this to the Blender Export menu UI
If you cannot get the exporter plugin to function, you have three fallback options:
Goal: Export 3D models and scenes from common DCC tools (Blender/Maya/3ds Max) into the 3D Rad engine format (.rad or engine-specific package), preserving geometry, materials, lights, animations, and scene hierarchy with minimal user setup.
Unlike flat STL exports, the 3D RAD Exporter maintains the scene graph. If a "Room" object contains a "Table" object, the RAD file reflects this hierarchy. This allows the simulation engine to perform efficient spatial partitioning (Bounding Volume Hierarchies), significantly speeding up ray-tracing calculations.
Once the plugin writes the .rad3D file, the artist must manually import it into the 3D Rad editor via the "Static Mesh" or "Animated Model" object. The plugin does not handle rigging or skeletal animation unless extended; 3D Rad supports a proprietary .radAnim format for vertex animation, but modern skinning (skeletal deformation) is not natively supported. Therefore, the exporter is best suited for static props, architectural visualization elements, and simple rigid-body dynamic objects.
A robust plugin will also generate a companion .radMat XML file that the artist can edit to tweak shininess, emissive color, and alpha blending modes—parameters that are stripped during the binary export.