How to convert CAD file to game ready models

techmod

Hi,

I have created some models in a CAD program (Inventor from Autodesk). Now I would like to use these models inside a game. So I need to make game ready models with clean meshes from this.

What is the best way to do that? Are there tools available for this. No problem if this are payed tools.

ActionDawg

Aside from manual modeling in Maya/Max/Modo/Blender,

PiXYZ is a newer option purpose built for just this. It's a procedural tool for turning CAD surfaces into optimized polygon meshes. It's very good for what it does, though I still find myself needing to do bits and pieces of manual cleanup.

You can also use Simplygon in the same sort of way (though it works with polygons, not CAD surfaces), or use Houdini or Zbrush with voxelize -> decimate style methods. Same goes for any of these, manual cleanup is still needed for optimal results.

techmod

Thx. But can I load a CAD model into Houdini or ZBrush?

sacboi

As far as I know Zbrush can handle .stl files for printing and Houdini has native NURBs support but not sure about CAD tho.

gandhics

Try 3dsMax. It is the best for handling CAD data.