New Scenario Creation in Blender

This tutorial explains how to create a new 3D scenario in Blender and make it compatible with our RIS optimization tool and Sionna ray-tracing tool.

Note

Please use Blender 3.6 or newer versions for scenario creation.

1. Design a 3D Scenario in Blender

   • Open Blender and design your indoor 3D environment (e.g., walls, floors, ceilings).

   • To assist with creating indoor structures like walls, you can use the Archimesh add-on.

   Note

   For details about the Archimesh add-on, visit: https://extensions.blender.org/add-ons/archimesh/

2. Define Compatible Material Names

   For the scenario to be compatible with Sionna ray-tracing tool, after creating walls, ceilings, and floors, assign radio material names that are allowed by Sionna.

   To assign material names:

   • Select each object (e.g., a wall) in Blender.

   • Go to the Material tab.

   • Change the material name to a valid radio material name.

   Note

   Refer to the list of Sionna-compatible radio material names here: https://nvlabs.github.io/sionna/rt/api/radio_materials.html

   Important

   If you are using Sionna version 0.19.2 (which our RIS optimization tool uses), you must add the prefix “itu_” to the material name.

   For example:

   • Wall material: itu_plasterboard

   • Floor material: itu_chipboard

3. Export the Scenario to Mitsuba XML Format

   After assigning correct material names:

   • Click File → Export → Mitsuba (.xml).

   • In the export settings on the right side:

     • Set Forward to Y Forward.

     • Set Up to Z Up.

     • Check the box “Export IDs”.

   • Enter the desired filename for the .xml file.

   • Click “Mitsuba Export” to save the file.

   Note

   If all materials are correctly named and the export settings are properly configured, the generated .xml file will be compatible with both our RIS optimization tool and Sionna ray-tracing tool.