Houdini plugin - MXS Reference (OBJ)

Owned by Peter Horvath (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 09 Jul, 2013Version comment
3 min read

It is possible to reference external scenes in MXS format and have Maxwell load them at render time. This is useful in many scenarios, such as:

  • creating a library of ready-to-render props complete with materials which you just reference into new scenes
  • shortening export times in an animation by referencing the static objects and only exporting the animated parts at each frame
  • reducing scene complexity and improving viewport performance by referencing heavy objects

The MXS Reference operator is located in the TAB menu of the obj network or can be added to the scene via the Maxwell Render shelf.

The MXS Reference operator has only a few parameters, the most important is the MXS Path where the referenced scene can be defined. Maxwell uses the geometry and materials found in the MXS file, it does not load environment settings, camera parameters or render options. By default, the objects use the materials they have in the referenced scene, but a new material can be applied on the Material tab. It is not possible to override the material on only some objects from the referenced scene, or apply different materials to different objects. It is also not possible to use only a subset of the referenced scene; all the objects will always be used.

Object

  • MXS Path: the path to the referenced scene file. Sequences can be referenced using the $F syntax in the path (e.g. /path/to/sequence_$F5.mxs)
  • Object ID: specifies the color to identify the referenced objects.
  • Hidden From Camera: specifies the visibility of the referenced objects.
  • Hidden From Reflections/Refractions: reflected or refracted objects are hidden.
  • Hidden From Global Illumination: the referenced objects will render but will not affect lighting.
  • Hidden From Z-clip Planes: if this option is selected, the referenced objects won't be cut by Z-clip planes.

Transform

Basic transform settings, same as any Geometry operator has.

Display

  • Enable Display: enables displaying the referenced geometries in the viewport.
  • Level of Detail: controls how many polygons to load and display in the viewport.

Material

  • Material: overrides the materials of the referenced objects.

To export an MXS file use the Export MXS files (no render) flag on the General Settings of the Maxwell Render ROP node and define the selected objects on the Objects tab.