PolyTrans-for-Maya - Importance of the Okino .bdf File Format

This help section describes the importance of the Okino .bdf Transfer File format to your data translations. This file format is the best way to move data between Autodesk Maya and other 3D packages which read/write the Okino .bdf Transfer File format directly, such as the Okino stand-alone PolyTrans/NuGraf programs, Autodesk 3ds Max or Maya (the latter two which have native PolyTrans plugin support). If you don't use these programs then this section will have no bearing on your 3D data translations.

First, it should be explained how PolyTrans works. An import/export process in PolyTrans proceeds in 2 stages. For export, the data must first be transferred from the internal Maya database to the internal PolyTrans database; the PolyTrans internal database is one of the most extensive of any 3D program as it can natively store data from most 3D packages, such as 3ds Max, Lightwave, Softimage, Maya, etc. Once the Maya data has been successfully mapped to equivalent entities inside the PolyTrans database, the selected export converter module (such as the PolyTrans Wavefront OBJ exporter) walks through the PolyTrans internal database and exports the data to its particular file format, in this case Wavefront OBJ. This 2 step process is necessary to make the PolyTrans exporters independent of whatever program they are accepting data from. For an import process, this 2 step process is reversed in such way that the import converters feed data to the PolyTrans internal database, then the PolyTrans internal database is mapped/copied into the Maya internal database.

Now that you understand the concept of the PolyTrans internal database, you will understand why the Okino .bdf File Transfer format is significant. In a nutshell, the Okino .bdf File Transfer format is a complete snapshot of the internal PolyTrans database saved to a disk file. Thus, this .bdf file contains the most complete description of the Maya translated database. Now, if two programs cannot be connected together directly (such as Maya and 3ds Max), then the .bdf file format can be used to create a pseudo-data pipeline between the two programs, just as if they were connected directly through the PolyTrans internal database.

Tell me when the .bdf file format is applicable to my data translation work?

The Okino .bdf Transfer File format will only have significance to you if you wish to transfer data to/from Maya and one of:

• The stand-alone PolyTrans/NuGraf programs
• Autodesk Maya (which has native PolyTrans plugin support).
• Autodesk's 3ds Max (which has native PolyTrans plugin support).
• Or, any 3D program which has native .bdf file support.