Importing Datasmith Content into Unreal Engine 4

Detailed instructions on how to use Datasmith to bring files that you've created in supported 3D design applications into Unreal.

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This page describes how to use Datasmith to import content from a supported 3D design application or file format into Unreal.

Prerequisites:

For most file formats supported by Datasmith, you don't need any additional software to be installed on your computer. All you need is the file that you want to import. However, the following file formats have specific requirements:

  • .wire - In order to use Datasmith to import a .wire file, you must have a version of Autodesk Alias AutoStudio installed that is compatible with your .wire file.

Steps

  1. In the Unreal Editor, open the Project that you want to import your Datasmith content into.

  2. If you want to bring your content into an existing Level in your Project, open it now. Otherwise, create a new Level or just use the default one.

  3. In the main toolbar, click the Datasmith button:
    The Datasmith importer in the Toolbar

    If you don't see this button in the Toolbar, you'll need to enable the Datasmith import plugins for the source file types you want to use. See Project Setup below.

  4. In the Import window, browse to and select the file you want to import. Click Open .
    Choose a file to import

  5. Choose a folder in your Project content for Datasmith to put the newly imported assets.
    Choose a content folder

    If you want to create a new folder for your Datasmith content, right-click an existing folder in this window.

  6. Use the Datasmith Import Options window to select the types of content that you want to import from your source file, and set optional additional parameters that control the import process.
    Set import options
    The options that you can set here depend on the type of file you're importing. For details, see Datasmith Import Options .

  7. Click Import . Datasmith reads your source file, creates new assets in your Project, and places the Datasmith Scene into your current Level. For details on this process, see the Datasmith Overview .

You can also use Python to automate the process of importing files through Datasmith. For details, see Customizing the Datasmith Import Process .

Project Setup

Datasmith provides importers that handle many different types of source files and design applications. These importers are wrapped in several different optional plugins. Depending on the type of files you want to import with Datasmith, you may need to enable one or more of these additional plugins for your Unreal Engine Project.

For a complete list of all applications and file formats Datasmith supports, see Datasmith Supported Software and File Types .

If you start your Project from one of the Templates in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction or Automotive, Product Design, and Manufacturing categories, some or all of these plugins may be enabled for you already.

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