Granny GR2 Format

[gothshadow]

We are currently rocking with UDK in my current project, but to take it to the next step, the owner has decided to go with the Hero Engine. I can find nothing thus far for it, but does anyone know of a good way of getting stuff from LW to Hero in the GR2 format. I'd rather not have to use Maya or 3DMax as a 3rd party for the pipelien, but will understand if it is the only route.

[StormRising]

March 2011 This is how to create a .gr2 granny data file from your Lightwave 3D scenes.
Bare with me some setting etc may vary and need to be altered for your specific situation.
This process works for me.

0 You will need to have access to a copy of Maya 2008 then download the latest FBX plugins for Maya 2008 located here:
(http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?siteID=123112&id=10775855)

You will also need to install the granny maya 2008 plugin to maya. The granny SDK should come with this plugin.

1 Once you have your completed animation in LW10 or LW.96 32x or 64x select File/export/exportFBX.

2 Make sure binary is selected and choose the preferred FBX version from the drop-down menus. (in this case FBX60_MB60) Usually, try them all if you have trouble.

3 Check "Scale Scene" and enter "0.01" as LW's scale if the scene is much larger when interpreted by Maya 2008

4 Leave "Freeze Subdivided Geometry" un-checked for low-polygon models. Hit OK to export the .FBX file.

5 Open Maya 2008 and choose File/import. Select the .FBX file. Choose the animation take with-in the .FBX file you want to import., Usually called "Take1"
(Check the "Use the FBX file frame rate in Maya" box and select FBX from the drop down menu. Then type in the same frame rate for the scene was originally animated at
in LW)
7 Scrub through the animation to check for extra unwanted key frames. Maya tends to place a extra key at frame 1 for each imported bone.
(Check the animation is intact. If any parts are missing re-import the .FBX file into the current scene. This time choosing "unlock all")

8 *IMPORTANT STEP* Save the Maya scene, close it and re-open it. This ensures the Maya scene file integrity.

9 Now with the scene re-opened choose window/settings/preferences/plugin manager and make sure the granny plugin is loaded by checking it's box.

10 Choose file/export all and save your .gr2 granny animation file.

11 Check the .GR2 with Grany viewer to make sure it works. :P
(http://www.radgametools.com/granny/download.html)

If you have any problem, contact me on skype at: marco.3d.artist