Imported 3D model.
Although Moho is primarily a 2D program, it is possible to import 3D models and use them in a Moho animation. This tutorial will show you some of the things you can do with 3D models in Moho.
First, we'll try importing a basic 3D model. Start Moho and create a new, empty project. Next, select the File->Import->OBJ 3D Model menu command. Moho will prompt you to select a file - choose the file named "3dmodel.obj" located in the "Tutorials/6 - Effects" subfolder within the main Moho folder. Moho will import the model into a new 3D layer, and you should see something like this:
Imported 3D model.
Use the Orbit Workspace tool to rotate around the scene. As you rotate around the object, notice that it never appears flat from any side (like a vector layer) - it is a true three-dimensional object. This object was created in a program called Wings 3D. Whether you choose create models in Wings 3D or another 3D program, be sure to export them as OBJ files. OBJ is a common 3D file format that most 3D programs support, and is currently the only 3D format that Moho can import.
Side view of 3D model.
The colors of this model have been defined in the file "3dmodel.mtl" - this is a "material" file that Wings 3D created along with the model itself. You cannot change the colors of a 3D model within Moho. However, you can change the color and width of the outline in the Layer Settings dialog, under the "3D Options" tab.
Next, we'll show an example of how you can use a 3D model in the construction of a character's face. One of the limitation's of Moho's 2D nature is that it is difficult to rotate a head in 3D space. Using a 3D model can solve this problem. Open the file "Tutorial 6.8" located in the "Tutorials/6 - Effects" subfolder within the main Moho folder. This is a completely finished animation - play it back to see what's going on.
Face pointing up and right.
Now pointing down and left.
Notice that unlike most faces in Moho, this one can freely turn from side to side. This is because the head and nose (the major 3D structures in a face) are built as actual 3D models. The mouth, eyes, and ears are all 2D vector layers that have been arranged in 3D space around the head.
The only other trick involved in getting this character's head to work was sorting the head and ears. Notice that the main 3D head shape and the ears are grouped together. This is so that those three shapes can be depth-sorted. As the head turns from side to side, one of the ears often needs to go behind the head layer and then come back in front, depending on the head's angle. Depth sorting is used to easily accomplish this reordering.
Moho can also make use of textures on 3D models. You can't create the texturing within Moho itself, but if your imported 3D model uses texture maps, Moho will use them when it imports the model. Now open the file "Tutorial 6.8_2" located in the "Tutorials/6 - Effects" subfolder within the main Moho folder. This scene makes use of the 3D model "simple_scene.obj", which in turn uses a texture map file:
A textured 3D scene.
One of the things you may notice in this scene is that the scenery has detailed shadows and shading on it. Moho does not provide lighting and shading for 3D models. Instead, these effects are part of the texture map for this 3D model. In this case, a separate 3D program was used to calculate the lighting effects and "bake them into" the texture map.
Of course, the other element in the scene is a regular Moho 2D animated character. Although this character is composed of 2D vector layers, it can be positioned in true 3D space, so it is quite easy to integrate it into the 3D scene.
We've looked at just a couple possible uses for 3D layers - with a little thought you can probably come up with many more. Keep in mind that Moho is still primarily a 2D program, so don't expect Moho to replace a true 3D modeling and animation program. However, for limited uses, like background scenery or a few parts of a character, 3D layers in Moho can be very useful.