Morphs

<cat>Model.Advanced</cat>
<title>Morphs</title>
We will be using *"Blender"* as it is the most widely used free modelling program, but the guide mostly applies to every other program.

# FBX file format
## Exporting the mesh

1. Create the shape keys
<upload src="a4aaf/8d93962437800af.jpg" size="41445" name="1.jpg" />
<note>Avoid using underscores <key>_</key> in Shape key names, as they're used for Corrective Shape Keys; Further reading can be found in [this page.](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Flex_animation#Corrective_shapes)</note>

2. `Export` in **FBX** format, making sure to include the *mesh* and *armature*.
<upload src="a4aaf/8dad935a4928bef.png" size="21282" name="image.png" />
<warning>The model will need at least one bone, even if it's a static prop, because Morphs are animation driven and Animations need bones.</warning>
<warning>Reset all Shape Keys to 0 before export, as they will be applied, and change the default mesh if you do.</warning>

# Adding the morphs in ModelDoc

Morphs are animation-driven, even if morphs appear when importing the model, you won't be able to use them until there's at least 1 animation.

1. Import the Mesh in ModelDoc

2. Add any animation, use the model itself if it doesn't have/use any.

3. Add a material that supports morphs (in **"Material Editor"** check the `Morph Supported` box under *"Animation"*).


If you go to **"Morph Explorer"** and press `Enable Manual Slider Control` you will be able to manually drive the sliders, this is only a debugging tool, if you want to then see the animations drive the sliders, press `Allow animation to drive sliders`.
<upload src="a4aaf/8d93965a322ce25.jpg" size="228630" name="3.jpg" />

# Exporting Morph Animations in Blender
The animations are stored in the *mesh*, this guide will not go over how to create them, as it is commonly used and already widely covered.

1. Create your shape key animation

2. `Export` in **FBX** format, making sure to include the *mesh* and *armature*.

3. Import the animation in Modeldoc as a **"Simple Animation"**.

This will be the final result:
<upload src="a4aaf/8d9396ca05584ce.mp4" size="230449" name="9.mp4" />
*`Note the morph sliders moving because of the animation, they are not limited by 0 and 1.`*

# DMX file format
You will need the *"Source Export Tools"* plug-in.
## Exporting the mesh
1. Same as FBX

2. Go to **"Scene Properties"** and then *"Source Engine Export"*, change *"Export Format"* to **"DMX"**

3. Use the latest *DMX version*, as of writing this it's *"Binary 9"* and *"Model 22"*

4. Select the checked *"MeshName.dmx"* under *"Source Engine Exportables"* (in my case "citizen.dmx", check if unchecked)

5. Go to *"Flex Properties"* and press `Generate Controllers`

6. Press `Export` to export the model.
<upload src="a4aaf/8d939634d8baf38.jpg" size="119599" name="2.jpg" />

# Legacy Source 1 Morphs
This part of the guide was originally made by user [Divined](https://wiki.facepunch.com/sbox/~user:680267) as its own page.

## Exporting the morphs

After importing your .qc into Blender, simply bring up your head along with the .vta and select both and export it as a DMX like below: 

![Flexes](https://i.imgur.com/ILLMY9b.png)

<note>You are going to need the [Blender Source Tools](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Blender_Source_Tools) for this to work, or any other software where you can import your .vta and .smd and export as .dmx</note>

## Importing morphs in ModelDoc

Importing the morphs into ModelDoc is the same as importing any other mesh, just import the .dmx as a new mesh and your morphs will appear on the bottom right under morph explorer. If you want to play around with them, simply enable manual slider control.

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