The CityEngine has advanced functionality to export generated 3d models into any kind of modeling or rendering application. Samples can be downloaded here. Please note that the CityEngine export works like a batch process: every building (or street entity) can individually be generated, optimized and exported. Several options are available to control the file and mesh granularity of the exported geometry.
With the introduction of CityEngine Pro 2009.1, a new scripting feature using Python is available which allows for the scripting of complex export processes. For example, a scene can be automatically exported in different level of details to different formats at the same time.
The following formats are available:
Format | Features/Typical Usage |
Wavefront OBJ | One of the most common formats in the 3D industry. Transfers textured models to any DCC tool or rendering engine. |
Autodesk FBX | Provides export into Maya, Max, MotionBuilder and other DCC tools equipped with an FBX importer. Includes layered-texture support. |
Autodesk 3DS | Very mature format for export into Autodesk LandXPlorer, Google Sketchup and many older DCC tools. |
COLLADA DAE | Exports into a large number of DCC tools and rendering engines with support for asset-instancing, layered-textures & file-referencing. |
MentalRay MI | Direct export into MentalRay or RealityServer with support for instanced assets, flexible shaders and file-referencing. |
Renderman RIB | Direct export into any Renderman compatible renderer with support for delayed RIB loading, flexible shader calls and multi-texturing. |