Article Number: 114 | VC6 | VC5 | VC4 | VC3 | Post Date: November 4, 2024 | Updated: November 4, 2024

Is it possible to import textured meshes into Virtual CRASH?

Yes, it is possible to import textured meshes into both Virtual CRASH 6 (learn more) and Virtual CRASH 5 (learn more). For more detailed instructions, refer to the Virtual CRASH 6 User’s Guide or the Virtual CRASH 5 User’s Guide.

Below, we illustrate a simple example using a terrain mesh created with the free photogrammetry application Reality Capture.

Shown below are the .obj mesh file along with the associated .mtl and .png files generated by the free photogrammetry application Reality Capture.

The texture map, which is to applied to the .obj mesh, is shown below. Note, Virtual CRASH can also import .fbx, .3ds, and .dxf mesh files.

Note: .mtl files can be opened with any text editor. Here, we ensure that the path to the texture map is correct. If the path is incorrect, Virtual CRASH will not be able to find the texture to apply to the mesh. In the example below, the texture map is located in the same folder as the .obj file.

Finally, we open the .obj file in a text editor to ensure that it has the correct .mtl file identified.

Next, simply drag and drop the obj into your Virtual CRASH scene, or use Project > Import.

Manually Loading Texture Maps

If you do not have a .mtl file, or Virtual CRASH fails to automatically load the texture map, you can go to the “material” menu of the mesh and load the texture map manually. This is described in the Virtual CRASH 5 User’s Guide (learn more) and the Virtual CRASH 6 User’s Guide (learn more).

Texture via Receive Projection

For Virtual CRASH 3 and Virtual CRASH 4, the “receive projection” option is the only way to texture map mesh objects. For Virtual CRASH 4, 5, and 6, this is typically the preferred way to apply textures for terrain objects when one also has an orthomosaic image from photogrammetry (learn more).

The standard workflow for importing assets from photogrammetry is discussed in this Blog post.

Also see:

Using Point Clouds in Virtual CRASH (VC6 | VC5 | VC4)

The Easy Surface Builder in Virtual CRASH (VC6 | VC5 | VC4)

Using Points Cloud for Terrain in Virtual CRASH 3 (Example 1 | Example 2)