Page 1171 - Chief Architect Reference Manual

Creating VRML Files

• Check Copy Images to Export Folder if
you plan to share the VRML with others. It is best to keep all .vrml files in a folder
This copies texture bitmaps with the .wrl separate from your normal Chief Archi-
file so that they render correctly when tect files, since all textures used in the model
exported. also export to the same folder. This could add
a significant number of files, creating poten-
3 Specify how Lighting is exported. tial organization problems.

VRML Use of Texture
• Turn off Ambient Lights turns off the
default lights that are used to light a and Image Files
scene. In order for textures to be rendered correctly,
• Turn off Fixture Lights turns off the the texture and image files associated with an
default lights that are generated for fix- exported VRML file must be in the same
tures and used to light a scene. directory as the .wrl file.
• Night Sky/Ground Colors darkens the VRML files do not support the use of .bmp
ground plane and sky to create a night- textures or images. Instead, compressed file
time appearance. formats such as .gif, .png, or .jpg files must
be used.
4 Options
If you wish to use custom textures or images
• Walk Through Surfaces allows you to in your VRML file, you have two options:
walk through walls and closed doors • Make sure that they are saved in a format
from room to room, instead of stopping other than .bmp before you bring import
when you reach a wall. them into Chief Architect. This is the rec-
• Run Default VRML Viewer starts the ommended option.
.vrml viewer and opens the new .vrml • Create a .gif file with the same name and
file as soon as it is generated. in the same directory as the .bmp file.
When you export the .wrl file, Chief
Once the general parameters have been
selected, click OK. Name the .wrl file and Architect automatically substitutes the
save it in the desired folder and click Save. .gif for the .bmp file. Whenever possible,
you should use a supported file format
instead of using .bmp and .gif pairs.

For more information about .vrml players,
visit chiefarchitect.com.

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