# F13 — Import / Export FBX

> SkinLayer Studio **1.3.x Standalone** UI reference.  
> Practice: EP00–EP12 · Features: **F01–F17** (order 50+).

> **What is FBX for?**  
> Move mesh · skeleton (optional anim) as a package. Import when Pick fails.  
> Weights-only / same topology → [JSON](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-export-json?lang=en).

> SLS can **Import** and **Export** FBX.  
> When DCC **Pick / Get All** fails, you can temporarily Export FBX from DCC then Import here.

---

## Menu locations

```
File  →  Import FBX…
File  →  Export FBX…
```

![File menu — Import / Export FBX](fbx_file_menu.png)

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## When Pick fails (temporary workaround)

The normal flow is DCC connect → top **Pick / Get All**.  
If connect · Pick fails or is unstable:

```
1) In DCC (3ds Max, etc.), Export mesh(+skin) as FBX
2) SLS: File → Import FBX… to load
3) Once Skin Desk slots appear, paint · layer as usual
4) After work:
   - File → Export FBX… again
   - or Tools → Export Weights (.json) → Max connector Import
   - (if connected) Apply to Skin
```

Import creates a slot per skinned mesh in the file — **multi-mesh load similar to Pick All**.

> If axis · units look wrong, check **coordinate preset / unit scale** in the Import dialog.

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## Import FBX…

![Import FBX](fbx_import_dialog.png)

| UI | Description |
|----|-------------|
| **FBX File** + `…` | Choose `.fbx` |
| **Source coordinate preset** | Default: **Auto-detect from FBX GlobalSettings** — use axes written in FBX. Manual override only if DCC wrote GlobalSettings incorrectly |
| **Apply unit scale (convert to SLS cm)** | When ON, convert DCC units → **SLS cm** (recommended) |
| **Import** | Run import |

Imported meshes · skins become Skin Desk slots.

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## Export FBX…

![Export FBX](fbx_export_dialog.png)

Exports meshes loaded in Skin Desk as FBX.

| UI | Description |
|----|-------------|
| **Search / Select All** | Filter · select all meshes to export |
| Mesh check list | e.g. `Body_Geo`, `Dummy_Body`, … (`N / M meshes selected`) |
| **Target DCC** | Target DCC preset (e.g. **3ds Max**) — axis/unit matching |
| **Include animation** | Include baked anim cache when present (else static) |
| **Apply unit scale (cm → DCC units)** | SLS cm → target DCC units |
| **Single file (all meshes + shared skeleton)** | ON: selected meshes + shared skeleton as **one file** |
| **Save to (file)** + `…` | Save path |
| **Export FBX** | Export |

With Single file off, it runs in per-mesh file/folder mode.

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## Import vs Export at a glance

| | **Import FBX** | **Export FBX** |
|--|----------------|----------------|
| Direction | File → SLS | SLS → file |
| Use | Pick alternative load · offline import | Send mesh/skeleton to DCC · backup |
| Axis/units | Source preset + → SLS cm | Target DCC + cm → DCC |

For weights-only file exchange, JSON fits better.  
→ [Export / Import Weights (.json)](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-export-json?lang=en)

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## Related docs

| Doc | Contents |
|-----|----------|
| [UI layout guide](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-layout-overview?lang=en) | Top Pick / Apply to Skin |
| [Export / Import Weights (.json)](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-export-json?lang=en) | Weight JSON · Max connector |
| Practice EP02 Install | DCC connector |

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*Images: `fbx_file_menu.png` · `fbx_import_dialog.png` · `fbx_export_dialog.png`*  
*Written: 2026-07-26*