Importing Lightscape Files

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Just as you can export a Lightscape Preparation (LP) file, you can also import one into Autodesk VIZ. You can also import Lightscape Solution (LS) and Lightscape View (VW) files.

Note: This feature is being retired. For more detailed information about Lightscape export and import, you can refer to the Autodesk VIZ 8 reference. You can download the v8 reference from the Autodesk Web site: go to www.autodesk.com, choose Support, pick the product Autodesk 3ds Max, and then choose Documentation.

The steps to import a Lightscape file include:

Accessing the import dialog.
Choosing to replace the current scene.
Choosing how to group the imported objects.
(LS files.) Specifying a prefix for imported Lightscape objects.
(LS files.) Choosing which Lightscape objects to import.
(LS files.) Choosing the conditions for importing Lightscape lights.
(LS files.) Choosing the radiosity mapping settings.

Note: The Lightscape importer does not convert Lightscape layers into Autodesk VIZ scene layers, because it was written before that feature was implemented.

Procedures

To import a Lightscape (LS, VW, or LP) file:

Choose File > Import.

The Select File To Import dialog is displayed.
Choose Lightscape (*.LS, *.VW, *.LP) from the Files Of Type drop-down list.
Use the dialog's controls to browse to the directory that contains the file you want to use. Highlight the name of that file, and then click Open.

Depending on the type of file you chose, an Import Lightscape Preparation dialog or an Import Lightscape Solution dialog is displayed.

No dialog is displayed when you import a Lightscape view (VW) file.

To replace the current scene:

When you import a Lightscape Solution or Preparation file, you can choose to add the imported objects to the current scene, or to replace entire scene.

In the Import Lightscape Preparation dialog, turn on Replace Current Scene.
In the Import Lightscape Solution dialog, turn on Replace Scene Contents.

To group imported objects:

In the Import Lightscape Preparation or the Import Lightscape Solution dialog, use the controls in the Entity Grouping group to choose how imported Lightscape objects are grouped.

See each dialog's description for details about these options.

To get version information about the Lightscape file importer:

Access the Import Lightscape Solution dialog.
Click About.

An About Lightscape LS File Import dialog is displayed. This shows the version of the importer that is currently installed.