Marcus Chen
When it comes to 3D modelling and texturing, users have a variety of software options available, such as Substance Painter, Fusion 360, Blender, Maya, Unity, and UE4. These programs support different file formats for importing and exporting models, with .OBJ and .FBX being two of the most commonly used formats. While .OBJ is a simpler format that only stores geometry and UV data, .FBX is more advanced and can hold additional information such as models, animations, and texture files. This leads to the question: which format is better suited for use with Substance Painter?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| File format | OBJ, FBX |
| Use case | OBJ is used for object data, FBX for everything else |
| Data exchange | FBX is the standard for data exchange between DCC apps and game engines like Unity and UE4 |
| Geometry | OBJ keeps geometry (vertex, normals, etc.) and UV data |
| Data capacity | FBX can hold more data, including models, UV data, joints, skinning information, animations, multiple takes of animation in one file, curves, and embedded texture files |
| Mesh | FBX export has more options in the file dialog to set things related to normals |
| Hard edges | OBJ is recommended for hard edges, as FBX from Blender does not export them |
| Multiple objects | Substance Painter can only import one object at a time |
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What You'll Learn
Substance Painter supports multiple mesh formats
When it comes to 3D modelling and texturing, artists often use different software tools for different purposes. While programs like Fusion 360 are great for creating 3D objects, artists may want to use a more powerful texturing program like Adobe Substance 3D Painter for adding textures and colours to their models.
For example, the OBJ format is known for its simplicity, primarily storing geometry (vertex, normals, etc.) and UV data. This makes it a good choice when you only need to export mesh and UV data. On the other hand, FBX is a more advanced format capable of holding various types of data, including models, UV data, joints, skinning information, animations, multiple takes of animations in a single file, curves, and embedded texture files. FBX is often the standard for data exchange between DCC apps and game engines like Unity and UE4.
When importing .obj or .fbx files into Substance Painter, it is important to ensure that the mesh has UVs. Additionally, while Substance Painter can import models with multiple objects, it can only import one object at a time. Artists should also be aware that the export process and results may vary slightly between different software tools. For instance, some artists have reported that exporting an .obj file from Blender to Substance Painter yields better shading results than exporting an .fbx file.
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FBX is more advanced and can hold more data
When it comes to choosing between OBJ and FBX for Substance Painter, it's important to consider the specific needs and requirements of your project. While both formats are supported by Substance Painter, FBX stands out as a more advanced option that can handle a broader range of data.
FBX (Filmbox) is a versatile format that goes beyond basic geometry and UV data. It can accommodate models, UV data, joints, skinning information, animations, multiple takes of animations in a single file, curves, and even embedded texture files. This richness of data makes FBX ideal for complex scenes and projects requiring a comprehensive set of information. Its ability to hold multiple takes of animations in one file streamlines the process of managing and organizing animation data.
The advanced capabilities of FBX become even more evident when compared to OBJ. OBJ is a simpler format primarily designed to store geometry information, such as vertex, normals, and UV data. While OBJ is suitable for raw polygon data and simple materials, it falls short when it comes to handling the extensive data required for complex scenes. FBX, on the other hand, is purpose-built for managing intricate details, ensuring that no critical information is left out.
One of the key strengths of FBX lies in its ability to maintain materials associated with a project. While OBJ can store material assignments, FBX takes it a step further by supporting materials, rigging, and other metadata. This feature is particularly valuable when collaborating across different software tools, as it ensures that material information remains consistent and transferable. FBX's capacity to retain materials enhances the overall efficiency of the workflow and reduces the risk of data loss during file transfers.
Furthermore, FBX serves as the standard for data exchange between DCC apps and game engines like Unity and UE4. This widespread adoption of FBX as a standard facilitates seamless collaboration and data sharing among professionals in the industry. By using FBX, artists, designers, and developers can easily transfer models, animations, and other assets between different software applications and game development platforms. This interoperability ensures a smoother workflow and greater compatibility across different tools and engines.
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OBJ is a simpler format, only keeping geometry and UV data
When it comes to 3D modelling and texturing, choosing the right file format is important. While both OBJ and FBX formats can be imported into Substance Painter, they have distinct characteristics that influence their suitability for specific tasks.
OBJ is a simpler file format that primarily focuses on geometry and UV data. It is specifically designed to store information about object geometry, including vertices, normals, and UV coordinates. This makes OBJ ideal for exporting mesh data and UV maps. Its simplicity ensures that unnecessary data is excluded, resulting in cleaner files. When using Substance Painter, OBJ files guarantee that the imported shading looks perfect, making it a preferred choice for users who only require textures without needing the mesh.
FBX, on the other hand, is a more advanced and versatile format capable of holding a wide range of data. It can store models, UV data, joints, skinning information, animations, multiple takes of animations in a single file, curves, and even embedded texture files. FBX serves as the standard for data exchange between DCC apps and game engines, such as Unity and UE4. Its ability to hold comprehensive data makes it suitable for complex projects that involve animations or shapes. However, some users find FBX to be a messier format to work with.
When deciding between OBJ and FBX for Substance Painter, it is essential to consider your specific needs. If you require advanced features, such as animations, FBX is the way to go. However, if your focus is solely on exporting mesh and UV data, OBJ is the recommended choice. Its simplicity and precision in handling geometry and UV data make it a reliable option for achieving the desired results in Substance Painter.
It is worth noting that Substance Painter supports multiple mesh formats, and the choice of format should not significantly impact the modelling process. Users can import .obj or .fbx files from Fusion 360 into Substance Painter without issues, as long as the mesh has UVs. Additionally, Substance Painter can also handle files from other modelling software, such as Blender, 3DMax, and Maya.
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FBX is the standard for data exchange between DCC apps and game engines
FBX is a standard format for data exchange between DCC apps and game engines like Unity and UE4. It is a more advanced format than OBJ, capable of holding various types of data such as models, UV data, joints, skinning information, animations, curves, and embedded texture files. FBX was originally a native format for Motion Builder scenes, which means it can theoretically hold entire scene data in a node-based structure. This makes FBX a powerful tool for exchanging data between different applications.
While OBJ is a simpler format that primarily stores geometry (vertex, normals, etc.) and UV data, it is still widely used and supported by many applications. However, FBX offers a more comprehensive solution for exchanging data, especially in the gaming industry, where it is the preferred format for its ability to handle a wide range of data types.
The choice between using OBJ or FBX depends on the specific needs of the project. If you only need to export mesh and UVs, OBJ can be a suitable option. It is simple to use and easier to read data from. On the other hand, if you require more advanced features or need to work with animations, shapes, or other complex elements, FBX is the better choice.
Substance Painter, a powerful texturing program, supports multiple mesh formats, including both OBJ and FBX. This flexibility allows users to import models from different sources and work with various file types seamlessly. It is recommended to refer to the official documentation or community forums for specific instructions and insights on using OBJ or FBX files with Substance Painter to ensure optimal results.
In summary, FBX serves as the standard for data exchange between DCC apps and game engines, offering a versatile and robust solution for transferring a wide range of data types. While OBJ has its simplicity and use cases, FBX provides a more comprehensive approach to data exchange, making it the preferred choice in many scenarios, especially in the gaming industry.
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OBJ works best for importing shading
The OBJ file format is a simple data format that represents 3D geometry alone. It is often used for object data, whereas FBX is used for everything else. OBJ files support higher-order surfaces using several different kinds of interpolation, such as Taylor and B-splines. They also support free-form geometry, which uses curves and surfaces to define objects, such as NURBS surfaces.
FBX is a more advanced format that can hold much more data, including models, UV data, joints, skinning information, animations, and even embedded texture files. It is the standard for data exchange between DCC apps and game engines like Unity and UE4. However, it can be a messy format to deal with.
When it comes to Substance Painter specifically, both OBJ and FBX files can be imported. However, some users have reported that OBJ works better for importing shading. This is because FBX from Blender does not export the hard edges for some reason, whereas with OBJ, the imported shading looks perfect. Therefore, if you only need textures and not the mesh, it is best to use OBJ.
Additionally, OBJ files can reference vertices, normals, and other elements by their absolute or relative position. They also have companion Material Template Library (.MTL) files, which describe the surface shading properties of objects within the OBJ files. These MTL files are stored externally and can contain one or more named material definitions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Substance Painter supports both .obj and .fbx files.
No, the format of the mesh should not change much about the format.
Yes, you can use Fusion 360 files in Substance Painter as long as your mesh has UVs.
OBJ is a simpler format that only keeps geometry (vertex, normals, etc.) and UV data. .fbx is a more advanced format that can hold more data, including models, UV data, joints, skinning information, animations, etc.
It depends on your use case. If you only need to export mesh and UVs, use OBJ. If you need to export other data, such as animations or shapes, use FBX. Some users have reported that OBJ files produce better results in Substance Painter.
