Projects, Import, and Export
Save modeling projects and import or export mesh geometry.
Updated
Save a HardCuts project to continue editing. Export a mesh when another application needs the geometry.
Save and reopen projects
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
| File > New | Start a new scene. |
| File > Open... | Open a .hcproj project. |
| File > Open Recent | Reopen a recent project. |
| File > Save | Save the current project; Ctrl+S. |
| File > Save As... | Save under a new name or location. |
Use Save As for a separate modeling version before a substantial change. Saving and mesh import/export require a valid HardCuts license in the current build. The license dialog accepts Import License File... or Activate Pasted License.
Import a mesh
Choose File > Import Mesh... and select an OBJ or STL file.
The import options show mesh health information and a resolution recommendation. Review reported issues. Repair Selected and Repair Safe Issues act on supported repairable problems; not every issue has an automatic repair.
Choose the import representation
| Representation | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Preserve Imported Mesh + Build SDF | Keep the imported visible mesh and OBJ normals while preparing volume data for geometry operations. |
| Rebuild Display Mesh From SDF | Rebuild the visible surface from the prepared volume. |
SDF means signed distance field: the volume representation used for these geometry operations.
Target voxel sets the working voxel size. Smaller values preserve finer volume features but cost more memory and processing. Inspect the estimates and the smallest features you need.
Preserving the imported display mesh does not mean all later operations preserve its original topology or normals.
Export geometry
Select the object and choose File > Export > Selected Mesh... to write OBJ or STL.
Use Selected Mesh (Quad Remesh)... for a generated quad-oriented export. Review the target and sizing options in that dialog. For editable low-poly work and baking, use Retopology and Baking.
A mesh export does not replace the .hcproj project.
Choose the destination workflow
- Blender Bridge transfers linked modeling results to Blender.
- Preparing for 3D Printing covers print-specific export and preflight.
- File > Open in HardCuts Render transfers the scene for presentation rendering.