Importing and Exporting 3D Models with Blender

You may start a project in one program and later realize that you don't have access to that same program at a later date. For example, if you started a 3D model in Autodesk's popular 3D computer graphics software Maya and want to work on it later at the SMDC, you might be upset to know that our computers only have Blender installed.

A solution to this problem is to export your models as an .fbx, .dae, or an .obj in addition to saving your project in the program's native file format (.ma and .mb for Maya). These three file formats are considered to be universal formats, and most 3D computer graphics programs offer the option to import and export these file types.

If you want to import/export these file types in Blender, simply select File > Import or File > Export from the top left drop down menu. While .obj and .dae file types are nearly identical, .fbx is better suited for animation.

Have fun and keep on making stuff!