Hi,

I have a prop I modeled in a 3d Application. It contains many parts. I exported all of  the pieces as an .obj. When I import it into Poser it distinguishes it as 1 object even though it consists of over a dozen pieces. Is there a way to import an object containing multiple pieces or do I have to individually import every part.

Thanks for any help.

The answer lies in how you exported model and from what application (not just "a 3D application).

Also when you say "pieces", do you actually mean groups?

A lot depends on what your intent is.

If the seperate pieces are meant to operate independently, you will need to import each one individually (and then use the hierarchy editor to make parts dependent on each other). If the idea was to use different materials on certain parts, just doing grouping will accomplish what you want to achieve.

Which 3D Application? What sort of object is it? Clothing, prop, humanoid figure?

It is a room exported from maya containing lots of props. I want to be able to move and position the props within poser. There are just to many to export individually. Nothing was grouped, the objects are separate labeled polygon surfaces. Other 3d applications like 3ds max seem to import the .obj fine. Would grouping the polygon surfaces help for poser?

Nope.  You need to import each movable piece separately.   Poser treats every imported object as one whole piece, regardless of what you do to it prior to import.

ugghhh.... Okay thanks now I know

Try this,  open the scene in Poser and then open up the "Grouping Tool".   If the grouping tool lists the separate poly-surfaces, the you can use the Grouping Tool's  "Create Prop" button  to create a copy of each object or just the ones you want to move ( hopefully including the materials as well).

come back

Okay thanks for the help. Do you know how would I rename my materials. Many of my objects share mutliple materials and when I imported the .obj they were given names like lambert1SG. Its seems like there would be a simple way to rename a material in the material room but I cant find an option to do that. I dont want to assign a new material in the setup room becuase it assigns a new material to the whole object.

are all the OBJ's in 1 folder?

if so

www.philc.net/forum/viewtopic.php

batch OBJ import by PhilC.

AFAIK, Poser can't do that.

Sure enough, the Grouping Tool will allow you to create props but you'll be left with the original obj plus props.  Seems like a tedious waste of time when it's simpler to split them all up first and assign meaningful material names in your modelling app.

But that's just me; I don't like unnecessary work.  :) 

ok thanks everyone for all the info and help, I appreciate it.