Autodesk FBX

Autodesk FBX
Autodesk® FBX® technology is an open-standard, platform-independent 3D data interchange solution that gives you access to content authored in any supported software package.

-Provides universal 3D asset exchange, removing barriers to data compatibility and giving users the freedom to build the most efficient pipelines
-Enables facilities to open their pipeline to multiple 3D applications, including in-house applications
-Gives users access to content authored in any software package supporting the FBX format, including Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk® Maya®, Autodesk® MotionBuilder®, Autodesk® Mudbox™, and Autodesk® Flame® software
-Supports the development of new workflows—for example, between authoring tools and middleware, such as Autodesk® HumanlK® software
-Facilitates easy enhancements—Autodesk FBX plug-ins and other select downloads are available at no charge

Features
Are you looking to switch 3D packages while continuing to use legacy content? Do you want to expand your pipeline to include multiple 3D applications? If so, Autodesk® FBX® technology can help. FBX is a widely used and supported platform-independent 3D data interchange solution.

The FBX API layer supports a variety of 2D and 3D data types and has a customizable scene graph optimized to represent complex animated 3D scenes. The processing and transport layer includes technology and algorithms that convert geometry, animation, and rendering to and from the FBX object model and publish to various file formats such as .fbx, .3ds, .obj, and .dae (COLLADA). The FBX file format (.fbx) is a sophisticated, extensible, binary/ASCII format that enables you to store, convert, and transport 3D scenes as well as 2D data, audio, and video. Use it to exchange data between applications, and to publish scenes from asset creation tools to level editors, game engines, and interactive viewers.

Core features of FBX enable you to:
-Use multiple 3D tools to realize your creative vision in the most efficient manner possible
-Support a wide range of 3D and 2D data
-Enjoy high-fidelity data conversion
-Exchange digital assets with other studios whose pipelines are standardized on tools different from yours
-Integrate off-the-shelf and proprietary toolsets
-Transfer custom data between applications
-Access legacy content after upgrading your pipeline

Detailed Features
FBX Plug-Ins
Autodesk® FBX® 3D conversion technology plug-ins are included with Autodesk® Maya® and Autodesk® 3ds Max® software. Autodesk® MotionBuilder® software supports FBX files natively. In addition, Autodesk® Softimage® software can read and write FBX through Autodesk® Crosswalk software. This technology offers a high level of interoperability between these packages. The FBX plug-in for Apple® QuickTime® 7 application program is a component plug-in for the Apple® QuickTime® viewer. This plug-in allows you play back and interact with 3D files from major 3D applications inside QuickTime.

Support for a Wide Range of 3D and 2D Data
FBX enables the acquisition and exchange of 3D assets and media from a variety of sources more quickly and easily. This means you can interchange major NURBS and polygon surface types, plus Maya subdivision surfaces, keyframe and mocap animation, shapes and morph targets, materials and textures, lights, cameras, hierarchical information, and character animation data: inverse kinematics (IK), envelopes, and deformations. We expect the list of data supported to grow with each new release.

High-Fidelity Data Conversion
Enjoy robust, accurate data translation. An intelligent conversion library enables precise conversion and transfer of production data between various applications. FBX delivers a particularly high level of interoperability between Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Softimage, MotionBuilder, and Mudbox.

FBX Software Development Kit
The FBX software developer kit (SDK) is a free*, easy-to-use, C++ software development platform and API toolkit that allows you to manipulate information stored within FBX with minimal effort. The FBX SDK is particularly useful for application and content vendors and for in-house development teams.

Robust Conversion Capabilities
The FBX SDK offers robust conversion capabilities, including the ability to convert animation and geometry data across multiple data structures. It also offers the ability to parse data files of various origins into data structures you can then access via the application or tool you are writing.

Multiple Formats, Multiple Platforms
The FBX SDK gives you the freedom to work on your platform of choice—Microsoft® Windows®, Mac OS® X, or Linux® operating systems. Plus, the SDK can read and write multiple formats, such as .fbx, .3ds, .obj, and COLLADA, without additional plug-ins. So you can access to these formats without having to learn a new API.

FBX Extensions Software Development Kit
The FBX Extensions SDK contains source code, instructions, and examples to enable you to customize various aspects of FBX.

Plug-Ins of Plug-Ins
Add your own abstraction layer to the import/export mechanics of the FBX SDK and current plug-ins, making it easier to wrap custom data inside the FBX file format for transport to other applications. So you can focus on implementing your custom code, rather than on managing interoperability issues between applications. The FBX Extensions SDK has examples for Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max, as well as instructions for modifying the FBX 3ds Max and Maya plug-ins to add your custom data.

Published Source Code
The FBX Extensions SDK also includes source code for the FBX and COLLADA readers and writers.

FBX Converter
The FBX Converter lets you convert OBJ, DXF™ files, and 3DS files to and from the FBX file format (.fbx) in order to more quickly and easily transfer project data between applications. It's available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems.

Website: http://usa.autodesk.com