The first step is to set up a cloth simulation in Blender 2.8. This involves creating a mesh object, adding a cloth modifier, and adjusting the cloth settings such as stiffness, damping, and friction. Once the cloth simulation looks satisfactory, it’s time to prepare it for export.
To export the cloth simulation, we need to convert it into a cache file called the Vertex Cache. This cache file stores the position and rotation data for each vertex of the cloth mesh at each frame in the animation. To do this, select the cloth object and go to the “Physics” tab in the Properties panel. Under the “Cloth Cache” section, click on the “Bake” button to bake the simulation.
Once the simulation is baked, we can proceed with exporting the cloth simulation to the MDD format. To do this, select the cloth object and go to the “Object” menu in the 3D viewport. From the “Export” submenu, choose the “Vertex Cache MDD” option. This will open the file browser, allowing you to choose the location and name of the MDD file to export.
Before confirming the export, make sure to adjust the frame range in the export settings. By default, Blender exports the entire animation range, but you can specify a specific range by entering the start and end frame numbers. Additionally, you can choose whether to export the cloth’s shape keys and UV maps, depending on your requirements. Once you have set the desired export settings, click on the “Export MDD” button to save the cloth simulation as an MDD file.
After exporting the cloth simulation to an MDD file, you can import it into other software applications that support the MDD format. For example, popular software like Maya and 3ds Max have plugins or built-in functionality for importing MDD files. By importing the MDD file, you can retain the cloth simulation and continue working with it in the desired software environment.
In conclusion, Blender 2.8 provides a convenient method for exporting cloth simulations to the MDD format. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can easily export your cloth simulations and utilize them in other software applications that support MDD files. This opens up a world of possibilities for creating realistic cloth animations and effects. So go ahead and experiment with cloth simulations in Blender 2.8, and unleash your creativity!
