Convert PHY to FBX

Understanding the phy and fbx file formats

PHY files are typically used in game development, especially with Valve's Source engine, to store physics data for 3D models. These files define how objects interact physically in a game environment, such as collision boundaries and mass properties.

FBX (Filmbox) is a popular 3D model file format developed by Autodesk. It supports a wide range of 3D data, including geometry, textures, animations, and more, making it a standard for exchanging 3D assets between different software platforms.

Why convert phy to fbx?

Converting a PHY file to FBX is useful when you want to transfer physics-enabled models from a Source engine environment to a broader 3D workflow, such as animation, rendering, or use in other game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.

How to convert phy to fbx

Direct conversion from PHY to FBX is not straightforward, as PHY files only contain physics data and not the actual 3D geometry. Typically, you need the associated SMD or MDL model file, which contains the mesh, and then combine it with the physics data.

1. Extract the model: Use a tool like Crowbar to decompile the MDL file and obtain the SMD mesh and PHY physics file.
2. Import to Blender: Use the Blender Source Tools add-on to import the SMD file into Blender. The physics data from the PHY file can be referenced for collision shapes or rigid body properties.
3. Export as FBX: In Blender, go to File → Export → FBX to save your model in the FBX format. You may need to manually recreate physics properties if needed.

Recommended software for conversion

• Crowbar – For decompiling Source engine models and extracting SMD/PHY files.
• Blender (with Blender Source Tools add-on) – For importing SMD files and exporting to FBX.

Summary

While there is no direct one-step converter from PHY to FBX, using Crowbar and Blender together allows you to transfer both mesh and physics data into the versatile FBX format for use in other 3D applications.