Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- manual:subwaysim:vehicle_development:import_fbx [2025/12/16 18:19] – created dcs
+++ manual:subwaysim:vehicle_development:import_fbx [2026/01/14 11:19] (current) – dcs
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Importing the .FBX File ======
-After finishing the mesh and rigging process in Blender and exporting the vehicle correctly (see the previous chapter), the next step is importing the FBX file into Unreal Engine.
+After finishing the mesh and rigging process in Blender and exporting the vehicle correctly
+(see [[manual:subwaysim:vehicle_development:blender_rigging|Creating a Vehicle in Blender (Rigging)]]),
+the next step is importing the FBX file into Unreal Engine.
-This step is critical, as incorrect import settings or a poor folder structure can lead to issues later when creating physics assets, animations, or vehicle Blueprints.
+This step is **critical**, as incorrect import settings or an inconsistent asset workflow can cause
+problems later when creating:
+  * physics assets
+  * animations
+  * vehicle Blueprints
+  * material and repaint setups
+----
 ===== Preparing the Folder Structure =====
-Before importing the FBX file, we strongly recommend setting up a **clean and well-organized folder structure** inside your plugin.
+Before importing the FBX file, we strongly recommend setting up a **clean and well-organized folder structure**
-A consistent structure helps avoid errors and keeps larger vehicle projects maintainable.
+inside your plugin.
+A consistent structure:
+  * avoids asset duplication
+  * simplifies maintenance
+  * scales well for larger vehicles and variants
 In the **Content Drawer**, navigate to your plugin content folder:
-[Plugin_Name]_Content
+  `[Plugin_Name]_Content`
-Create the following folder structure:
+Create the following base structure:
   * Vehicles
@@ Line 22: / Line 36: @@
       * Textures
-Inside these folders, further subfolders are recommended depending on the complexity of the vehicle, for example:
+Depending on the complexity of the vehicle, additional subfolders are recommended:
   * Exterior
@@ Line 28: / Line 42: @@
   * Cab
-This structure allows you to clearly separate different parts of the vehicle and makes it easier to manage assets later on.
+This structure allows a clear separation of responsibilities and keeps vehicle assets manageable.
+----
 ===== Importing the FBX File =====
@@ Line 34: / Line 50: @@
 Once the folder structure is prepared, navigate to:
-Vehicles / TestVehicle / Meshes / Exterior
+  `Vehicles / TestVehicle / Meshes / Exterior`
-With this folder selected in the Content Drawer, click **Import** and choose your exported FBX file from your file system.
+With this folder selected in the Content Drawer:
+  * click **Import**
+  * select your exported FBX file
-After selecting the FBX file, the Unreal Engine **FBX Import Dialog** will open.
+After selecting the file, the Unreal Engine **FBX Import Dialog** will open.
+----
 ===== FBX Import Settings =====
-In the import dialog, several important settings must be configured correctly to ensure a usable result.
+In the import dialog, several settings must be configured correctly to ensure a clean and maintainable result.
-Please refer to the provided screenshots showing the correct import settings.
+Please refer to the screenshots below showing the **recommended import settings**.
-These settings are essential for proper skeletal mesh creation, animation compatibility, and physics setup.
+⚠️ **Important note about materials and textures**
+For vehicle development using the SubwaySim SDK, it is **strongly recommended** to:
+  * **Disable automatic material creation**
+  * **Disable automatic texture import**
+Recommended settings:
+  * Import Mesh: enabled
+  * Import Skeletal Mesh: enabled (if applicable)
+  * Import Animations: enabled only if animations are included
+  * **Import Materials: disabled**
+  * **Import Textures: disabled**
+These settings ensure full control over the material workflow and prevent unnecessary duplication.
 Once all settings are verified, confirm the import.
+**Import .FBX to Static Mesh:**
+{{:manual:subwaysim:blender_rigging:blender4.png?direct&200|}}
+{{:manual:subwaysim:blender_rigging:blender5.png?direct&200|}}
+**Import .FBX to Skeletal Mesh:**
+{{:manual:subwaysim:blender_rigging:ue5import1.png?direct&200|}}
+**Import .FBX with Animations:**
+{{:manual:subwaysim:blender_rigging:ue5import2.png?direct&200|}}
+----
+===== Why Automatic Material Generation Is Not Recommended =====
+When Unreal Engine automatically generates materials during FBX import, it creates:
+  * one **new Material asset per FBX material**
+  * no reuse of existing Master Materials
+  * no use of Material Instances
+This leads to several common issues:
+  * duplicated materials across vehicles and variants
+  * inconsistent shading and parameters
+  * increased maintenance effort
+  * poor scalability for larger projects
+  * problems when creating repaints or liveries
+For small test projects this behavior may be acceptable,
+but for **production-ready mods and SDK-based vehicle development**, it is **not recommended**.
+Instead, materials should be:
+  * created manually
+  * based on shared Master Materials
+  * reused via Material Instances where possible
+----
 ===== Organizing Imported Assets =====
-After the import process is complete, Unreal Engine will generate several assets automatically:
+After the import process is complete, Unreal Engine will generate the following assets automatically:
-  * A **Skeletal Mesh** (the main vehicle mesh)
+  * a **Skeletal Mesh** (main vehicle mesh)
-  * A **Physics Asset** (automatically generated)
+  * a **Physics Asset**
-  * A **Skeleton**
+  * a **Skeleton**
-  * All referenced **Materials**
-  * All referenced **Textures**
-At this point, it is important to sort these assets properly.
+⚠️ **Materials and textures are NOT generated automatically**
+when automatic import is disabled (recommended).
-Move the assets as follows:
+Instead, proceed as follows:
-  * Textures → move into the **Textures** folder
+  * Import textures manually into the **Textures** folder
-  * Materials → move into the **Materials** folder
+  * Create Materials or Material Instances manually in the **Materials** folder
-  * Skeletal Mesh, Physics Asset, and Skeleton → keep them in the **Meshes** folder
+  * Assign materials to the Skeletal Mesh explicitly
-This can be done easily using **Drag and Drop** inside the Content Drawer.
+Recommended asset organization:
-Once all assets are correctly sorted and organized, the FBX import process is complete.
+  * Textures → **Textures**
+  * Materials / Material Instances → **Materials**
+  * Skeletal Mesh, Physics Asset, Skeleton → **Meshes**
-You can now continue with the next step: creating and refining the **Physics Asset** for your vehicle.
+This keeps the vehicle setup clean and avoids hidden dependencies.
+----
+===== Result =====
+At this point:
+  * the vehicle mesh is correctly imported
+  * assets are cleanly structured
+  * no unnecessary materials or textures were generated
+  * the project is ready for further setup
+You can now continue with the next step:
+  * [[manual:subwaysim:vehicle_development:physics_assets|Creating Physics Assets]]
 {{page>manual:footer}}