Exporting Datasmith Content from VRED

Describes how to install the export plugin script for Autodesk VRED, and how to export your VRED scene to an FBX that Datasmith can import into Unreal.

Beginner

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On this page

Installing the Exporter Plugin Script
Exporting to Datasmith

Installing the Exporter Plugin Script

Before you can get started working with your VRED content in the Unreal Engine, you need to install a plugin script for VRED.

To see what versions of VRED Professional the exporter plugin currently supports, see Datasmith Supported Software and File Types .

Follow the steps below to install the Datasmith exporter plugin script for any supported version of VRED that you have installed on your computer.

In your Unreal Engine installation folder, find the Engine/Plugins/Enterprise/DatasmithFBXImporter/Resources/VREDPlugin folder.
Copy this folder, along with all of its contents, to a location that your VRED installation searches for plugins.
For example, on Windows platforms this may be C:\Users[username]\Documents\Autodesk\VRED-[internalVersion]\ScriptPlugins , where [username] is your Windows user ID, and [InternalVersion] represents the version of VRED you have installed.
For complete details on how to find this path, see VRED documentation on creating, editing, and using scripts .

You can also use the VRED Terminal window to help you find this path. Open the Terminal by selecting View > Terminal from the main menu, then look for lines that begin with the text: Looking for script plugins in . For example:
Restart VRED.

Exporting to Datasmith

When you have your VRED scene the way you want it, and you've registered your variants, export the scene to FBX:

From the main menu in VRED, choose:
- File > Export > Export to Datasmith... (for VRED 2018)
- File > Export Scene Data > Export to Datasmith... (for VRED 2019)
Browse to a folder and choose a file name.

The exporter creates a .FBX file in the location you choose.

End Result

You should now be ready to try importing your new .FBX file into the Unreal Editor. See Importing Datasmith Content into Unreal Engine 4 .

The exporter also creates additional files next to the .FBX :

A .lights file that contains additional information about the lights in your scene.
A .var file that contains information about your registered variants.
A .clips file that contains the animations.
A .mats file that contains additional information about materials.

These files contain information required by the Datasmith importer. If you move your .FBX file to a new location, make sure to keep these additional files at the same relative path.