• grandMA2 User Manual
  • grandMA2 Quick Start Guide
  • MA 3D
    • Help from MA technical support
    • Symbols used
    • Introduction
    • Install and Uninstall
      • System Requirements
      • Installation
      • Uninstall MA 3D
    • First Steps
      • Hardware connection
      • Start MA 3D
      • Create a Session
    • Data Management
      • Master/Slave
      • Coordinate system
    • Program Surface
      • Menu Bar
        • Menu Bar - File Menu
        • Settings
        • Edit
        • Functions
        • Tools
        • View
        • Help
      • Tool Bar
      • Main Windows
        • Stage View
        • Mouse + Keyboard Actions
        • Arrangement of Objects (Align Objects)
        • Duplicate (copy 3D Objects)
        • 3D Objects
      • Assets (Information Window)
      • Properties
      • Media Database
      • Materials
      • Video Player
      • Moving Paths
      • Sessions
      • Status Bar
      • Windows Layout
    • Fixture Types
    • 3D Modeling and Import
      • Workflow
      • 3D Modeling Principles
      • Creation of a 3D Model
      • Creation of a 3D Fixture Model
      • Import 3D Model to MA 3D
      • Assigning of 3D Models to Fixture Types
      • Checklist for 3D Modeling
      • Automated import
      • Parameters
        • Axes
        • Rotation Axes
        • Linear Axes
        • Beam of Light (Cone)
    • Keyboard Shortcuts
    • MA 3D FAQ
  • MA VPU
  • Release Notes
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Version 3.3

Workflow

Construct the new 3d model using an external 3D CAD tool such as Cinema 4D, 3Ds Max etc.

Hint:
This example uses Cinema 4D, but any tool that can export the 3ds format can be used.

This is a short overview on the process of building 3D models and importing them into MA 3D:

Technical Drawing

For the construction a drawing with the dimensions of the fixture is needed.
In this example a Vari-Lite VL1000 is used.

Vari-Lite VL1000

Creation of the 3D Model

Create a 3D model with a 3D CAD program.
Respect the restrictions of the 3D objects and names.
 

2D wireframe of the Vari-Lite VL1000 model
Hierarchic structure of the 3D model

Export the CAD File into .3ds format.

Import into MA 3D

Import the model into MA 3D.
The import tool generates a unique model key to identify it later. It saves all properties of the model into an .xml description file.
 

The final 3D model in MA 3D

After saving the model in the media database it is ready to be used in MA 3D. If the model is saved in an existing media database file, restart MA 3D. For more information see Import 3D Model to MA 3D.


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