Overview

In game development, Digital Content Creation (DCC) tools are essential for creating, managing, and integrating game assets, including models, textures, animations, and other unit elements. The DCC Tool Unit Setup provides developers with a streamlined way to import and configure units—such as characters, vehicles, props, and interactive objects—directly from DCC tools (e.g., Blender, Maya, 3ds Max) into a game engine. This setup process ensures that assets are optimized and compatible, retaining fidelity and functionality as they transition into the game environment.

Purpose of DCC Tool Unit Setup

The DCC Tool Unit Setup aims to simplify the transition of assets from the DCC tool to the game engine, reducing the need for repetitive adjustments and minimizing errors. By organizing unit settings—such as scale, collision properties, animations, and textures—developers can ensure consistency across assets and maintain efficient workflows. This setup is particularly valuable for large-scale projects, where units need to be highly optimized for performance and quickly accessible for iteration.

Blender Unit Setup

1. Open Blender and Access Scene Properties

1. Launch Blender.
2. In the Properties panel on the right side, select the Scene Properties tab (depicted as a cone, sphere, and lightbulb icon).

2: Set the Unit System

1. Scroll down to find the Units section.
2. Set Unit System to Metric (Sceneri typically uses meters as the default unit for length).

3: Define Unit Scale

1. In the Unit Scale field, set the value to 0.01.
   • This scales 1 Blender unit to 1 centimeter in the Sceneri game engine.
2. Adjusting this value ensures that objects will appear at the correct scale when imported, preserving the real-world dimensions set within Blender.

4: Confirm Length Units

1. Under Length, select Meters.
   • This makes it easier to work with real-world dimensions and facilitates consistency across assets.

Maya Unit Setup

1: Open Maya and Access Preferences

1. Open Maya.
2. Go to Windows > Settings/Preferences > Preferences to open the Preferences window.

2: Set the Working Units

1. In the Preferences window, select Settings from the left-hand menu.
2. Under Working Units, set the Linear unit to Centimeter.
   • Sceneri uses meters as its base unit, and 1 meter in Sceneri is equivalent to 100 centimeters in Maya. This ensures that 1 Maya unit equals 1 centimeter in Sceneri, making it easy to scale objects correctly.

3DS Max Unit Setup

1. Open 3ds Max.
2. Go to Customize > Units Setup to open the Units Setup dialog.
3. In the Units Setup window, click on System Unit Setup.
4. Set System Unit Scale to 1 Unit = 1 Centimeter.
   • This setup will ensure that 1 unit in 3ds Max equals 1 centimeter in Sceneri, maintaining consistent scaling.

Centimeters vs Meters

When you configure the unit scale of the DCC tool to match with Sceneri, setting the unit value scale to cm or m is asset related.

• If you are working with smaller assets like rocks/pebbles/grass it would make your life easier in centimeters.
• If you are working with larger assets like houses/buildings etc., set the unit scale to meters.

Size References

Standard Measurements

• Table Height: The tabletop is positioned 75 cm above the ground.
• Chair Height: Seat level is 46 cm from the floor.
• Step Height: Individual steps are 18.75 cm high, adding up to 75 cm over four steps.
• Box Size: Each box measures 60 cm in length, 40 cm in width, and 40 cm in height.

Interaction with Cover Objects

• Prone Cover: Objects shorter than 120 cm provide suitable cover for AI lying flat.
• Crouch Cover: Objects over 120 cm tall allow AI to use them as cover while crouching.
• Standing Cover with Movement: Objects taller than 180 cm serve as cover for standing AI, allowing them to strafe sideways when needed.

Jumpable Heights for AI Movement

• Standing Jump (without hand assistance): Objects between 30 cm and 50 cm high are jumpable.
• Running Jump: Suitable for objects from 50 cm up to 100 cm in height.
• Side Jump with Hand Support: Objects between 120 cm and 150 cm tall allow for a sideways jump with hand use.

Conclusion

With DCC Tool Unit Setup, developers can save time, reduce workflow complexity, and maintain high-quality assets that are ready for interaction and customization within the game engine. This setup process is fundamental for creating efficient, scalable, and visually cohesive game environments.