# Importing VRED Files

> How to import Autodesk VRED .vpb files in Asset Transformer Studio

VRED models can be imported within Asset Transformer Studio, in order to optimize and reuse them in other virtual experiences.

Importing a \*.vpb file in Asset Transformer Studio requires `Autodesk VRED Pro` or `Autodesk VRED Design` to be installed (with a valid license) on the same computer on which Asset Transformer Studio is running.

> **Note:**
>
> Only geometries (meshes or BRep surfaces) and equivalent materials are directly imported inside Asset Transformer Studio's scene.

## Configuring Asset Transformer Studio

To start importing \*.vpb files in Asset Transformer Studio, the software needs to be configured first from the menu Preferences:

> 1. Press `F9` or go to [Edit](../../user-interface/menu-bar/edit-menu) menu > [Preferences](../../user-interface/menu-bar/edit-menu/preferences) > `IO` > `Import` > `Vred`
> 2. Fill the path in the `VredExecutablePath` field: browse to the `VREDPro.exe` file (most likely located in the `bin/WIN64/` directory).

![VRED configuration](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem366.png)

If the path is not properly configured, Asset Transformer Studio will prompt the following error message:

![VRED error](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem274.png)

## Importing a \*.vpb file

![VRED import](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem275.png)

### `PreferLoadMesh`: False

If the \*.vpb model contains NURBS data, you can choose to import these by setting the preference `IO` > `Import` > `PreferLoadMesh` to 'False'.

Because of how \*.vpb files are formatted, all the surfaces will be divided in different occurrences. This will considerably increase the import time and the number of parts.

We strongly advise to use [Merge Final Level](../../user-interface/menu-bar/scene-menu), followed by [Repair CAD](../../user-interface/menu-bar/cad-menu) (`orient` = 'False') functions after importing:

> 1. Importing (wireframe view): 94 235 parts, surfaces are not stitched together.![Import wireframe](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem221.png)
> 2. `MergeFinalLevel` and `RepairCAD`: 3 545 parts and surfaces are stitched together.![After merge](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem276.png)
> 3. **Tessellation**: 5M triangles.![After tessellation](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem277.png)

If the preference `IO` > `Import` > `PreferLoadMesh` is set to 'True', the mesh displayed in VRED will be imported (UVs and ambient occlusion are imported).

### `PreferLoadMesh`: True

**VRED Mesh**: 50M triangles:

![VRED mesh](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem278.png)

To import ambient occlusion as vertex colors, open Autodesk VRED and set `ExportVertexColors` to 'True' in **Preferences** > `FileIO` > `FBX` > `Export`:

![Export vertex colors](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem225.png)

### Importing Variants

If the preference `IO` > `Import` > `LoadVariant` is set to 'True', geometrical variants and material variants are imported:

* The [custom property](../../data-preparation-fundamentals/about-occurrences/occurrence-properties) `_PIXYZ_TRANSFORM_SWITCH_TAG` is added to the switch occurrences.
* The [custom property](../../data-preparation-fundamentals/about-occurrences/occurrence-properties) `<_PIXYZ_MATERIAL_SWITCH_TAG, *switch material name*>` is added to occurrences having a material switch.
* Material variants can be retrieved in the material library or in the `_Pixyz_MATERIAL_POOL` occurrence in the Product Structure:![Material pool](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem216.png)
* More information regarding the imported \*vpb materials and variants can be found in additional files (created at import). Their links are attached to the `Root` node as [custom properties](../../data-preparation-fundamentals/about-occurrences/occurrence-properties):![Custom properties](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem217.png)

### Importing animations

An \*.fbx file containing information on the \*.vpb animations is exported during the process (animations are preserved when importing a \*.vpb file). The link is attached to the `Root` node as a [custom property](../../data-preparation-fundamentals/about-occurrences/occurrence-properties):

![Animation custom property](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem219.png)

### Importing Realistic materials

Properties of VRED shaders included in a \*.vpb file can be retrieved at import as Custom Materials, by enabling the preference `ImportRealisticMaterial` in `IO` > `Import` > `Vred`.

Importing these Custom Materials will not create a VRED-like shader/material ready to display in Asset Transformer Studio. The purpose of keeping this information is for digital continuity.

For example, if a user wants to recreate VRED-like shaders in an application, they can use the `Custom Materials` properties to do so.

![Realistic materials](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem369.png)