Dear community,
I recognized that some of the labware 3D data models are stored as .x and others as .hxx files.
I can access the 3D of .x files, but .hxx files seem to be special.
Do you know what the difference of these data files is and if there is a way to convert .hxx into .x files?
Thanks in advance and best regards
Martin
It is a special compressed file with .x files and texture image files
What is a good way to view and create .x files? that is something i’d like to look at soon in the future. Blender?
Old version Blender
is there any solution how to transform .hxx to .x?
To the Hamilton guys: are you able to share your internal procedure to create these files?
Direct X (.x) files can be exported by versions of Blender 2.79b and earlier, which is a free and prevalent software widely used for generating 3D models, renderings and animations. You will need to activate an internal plugin to enable export of .x files.
Blender supports import of tons of different drawing file formats, so you can use pretty much any modelling software you want/have access to in order to generate the drawing if you don’t want to use Blender as the primary modelling software. Just be sure your model is properly scaled in mm.
Once generated, you can associate the .x file as a 3D model in any .rck, .ctr, .lid, or .tml labware definition. Dragging the definition on deck will allow you to view the drawing and see if it meets your desired standards. Sometimes I just copy an arbitrary labware definition and associate the .x file I am interested in and use the deck editor as a viewer. If you wanted to use an alternative method, a quick google search will likely yield tons of free online file converters.
Regarding generating drawings in modelling software, there are tons and tons of online resources (youtube) that provide exhaustive tutorials.
Hope this helps!
-Nick
Note that the data within the .x file is used purely for cosmetic and rendering purposes. The data within the file has absolutely no impact on the labware definition parameters, and cannot be used as a substitute for defining the labware.
-Nick
Hi Nick
Thank you so much. Could you also give some insights on the .hxx file format?
Cheers
Max
We’re looking into this and will update the thread once we have more info!
I’ve downloaded the “old” version of blender, but it doesn’t seem to have the ability to natively import .x files:
Is there a perhaps plugin required?
This allows exporting .x files, but still no import. I’ve made some custom labware for which I would much rather edit an existing file than start from scratch.
I have tried creating DirectX files from Blender 2.79a on Windows, but the model fails to render in the Hamilton Deck Editor. The rectangles representing the labware template positions are there, but the 3D model is not rendered at all.
Looking through the Blender settings and DirectX plugin settings, I have a few questions:
(1) Should I set the units to “Millimeters”? The model was originally made in a CAD program with the units defined in mm.
(2) What is the proper orientation of the model? When I imported the model into blender (it was exported from CAD as an FBX file), the model was oriented such that “up” was in the negative Y direction. Should the model “up” orientation actually be in the +Y direction?
(3) For the DirectX export options, which options need to be selected? Are the defaults OK? If I have the the “Up Axis” option as “Y”, then should my example model be rotated 180-deg in the Z-axis so that my model “up” orientation is in the +Y direction (see last image)?
