You can import Static Mesh Levels of Detail (LOD) into Unreal Engine from external 3D modeling applications, such as 3DS Max, Maya, or Blender. Although 3DS Max and Maya are used to illustrate this lesson's goal, you can import Static Mesh LODs into Unreal Engine from any 3D modeling application with a save feature.
Prerequisites
You have access to a 3D modeling application.
You have a model with LODs created.
Objectives
After going through this guide, you'll know:
How to set up Static Mesh LODs from external 3D modeling applications.
How to export Static Mesh LODs from external 3D modeling applications.
How to import Static Mesh LODs into Unreal Editor from external 3D modeling applications.
The Unreal Engine FBX import pipeline uses FBX 2020.2. Using a different version during export may result in incompatibilities.
Choose Your 3D Art Tool
Autodesk 3ds Max
Setting-up Static Mesh LODs
Select all meshes, from the base LOD down to the last LOD. The selection order is essential for ensuring the LODs are added in the correct order of complexity. Then select the Level of Detail > Group command from the Edit menu.
![Maya LOD Export Select]( "Maya LOD Export Select")
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All meshes are now grouped under the LOD Group.
![Maya LOD Group in Outliner]( "[Maya LOD Group in Outliner")
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Select all of the LOD meshes (the order is not important) and then select the Group command from the Group menu.
![3ds Max Group LODs]( "3ds Max Group LODs")
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Enter a name for the new group in the dialog that opens and the click the
![3ds LOD Ok Button]()
![3ds Max Group Name]( "3ds Max Group Name")
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Click the
![3ds Max Utility Button]()
![max_utility_more_button.jpg]()
![3ds Level of Detail Utility]( "3ds Level of Detail Utility")
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With the group selected, click the
![max_lod_create_button.jpg]()
![3ds Max LODs List]( "3ds Max LOD List")
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Exporting Static Mesh LODs
In Maya, select the LOD Group and any collision geometry.
![Maya LOD Export Select]( "Maya LOD Export Select")
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Go to the file menu and select Export Selection.
![Maya Export Selection]( "Maya Export Selection")
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Choose the path where you want to save your mesh. Make sure to give it a name, choose FBX as the file format, and enable the export of animations in the FBX exporter properties. Enabling animation is required for LODs to be exported.
![Maya Save Export]( "[Maya Save Export")
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In 3ds Max select the Group of meshes that comprise the LOD Set and any collision geometry.
![Maya LOD Export Select]( "Maya LOD Export Select")
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Go to the file menu and select Export > Export Selected.
![3ds Max Export Selection]( "3ds Max Export Selection")
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Choose the path where you want to save your mesh. Make sure to give it a name, choose FBX as the file format, and then save.
![3ds Max Save Export]( "[3ds Max Save Export")
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In the FBX Export window enable animation under the Animation properties. This is required for LODs to be exported.
![3ds Max Enable Animation on Export]( "3ds Max Enable Animation on Export")
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Importing Static Mesh LODs
Importing Static Mesh LODs is done a few ways. One option uses the Content Browser, as shown below, and the other is from within the Details panel in the Static Mesh Editor. To learn how to import LOD from the Static Mesh Editor, refer to the Creating and Using LODs documentation.
In the Content Browser, click the Import button.
![Import Button]( "Import Button")
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Locate and select the FBX file you want to import.
![Import Dialog Box]( "Import Dialog Box")
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Click Open to begin importing the mesh file to your project.
In the FBX Import Options dialog box, choose the appropriate settings, making sure the Import LODs option, under Mesh > Advanced, is enabled.
![Import FBX Option]( "Import FBX Option")
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There are two import buttons available to us in the FBX Importer. The first option is the Import button, making it possible to import the currently selected FBX file with your specified settings. The second option is the Import All button; this imports all of the currently selected FBX files with our specified settings.
For more information on the settings in the FBX Importer, refer to the FBX Import Options Reference documentation.
Click Import or Import All to import the mesh to your project.
![Import FBX Dialog Box]( "Import FBX Dialog Box")
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When importing LODs, the name of the imported mesh will follow default Naming Conventions. Refer to our FBX Import Dialog documentation for additional information about all of the settings.
Your imported mesh will show in the Content Browser, along with any Textures and Materials applied.
![Imported Static Mesh]( "Imported Static Mesh")
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Double-click the Static Mesh to open the Static Mesh Editor. By viewing the imported mesh in the Static Mesh Editor, you can cycle through its LODs using the Auto LOD dropdown.
![Cycle through LODs]()
Now that you have reached the end of this guide, you've learned:
✓ How to set up Static Mesh LODs from external 3D modeling applications.
✓ How to export Static Mesh LODs from external 3D modeling applications.
✓ How to import Static Mesh LODs into Unreal Editor from external 3D modeling applications.