---
title: "Geometry"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/FFBXIMPORT-FBXIMPORT_GRP_GEOMETRY.html"
section_path: "Configuration > Preferences > Import/Export > FBX Import / Export > FBX Import Settings > Geometry"
element_id: "FFBXIMPORT"
group_id: "FBXIMPORT_GROUP"
description: "Enable this option if you want to import Subdivision Surfaces saved as TypeCatmull-Clark (incl. weighting) in an FBX file. Otherwise only the cage object …"
---

## Geometry

### Subdivision Surface

Parameter ID: `FBXIMPORT_SDS`

Enable this option if you want to import Subdivision Surfaces saved as **Type**Catmull-Clark (incl. weighting) in an FBX file. Otherwise only the cage object will be imported.

### Deformation

Parameter ID: `FBXIMPORT_ACTIVATE_JOINTS`

When enabled, the deformations from the FBX file will be assumed.

### Normals

Parameter ID: `FBXIMPORT_NORMALS`

This refers to point Normals that are stored in a tag. Enabling the option can result in better rendering results when importing mesh from other 3D applications.

Parameter ID: `FBXIMPORT_CONVERT_TO_PHONGTAG`

Existing Normals will be converted to a Phong tag with edge breaks and no Normal tag will be generated. The original Phong angle cannot be recreated but the geometry will receive the same shadows and is therefore completely modifiable (which would not be the case with a Normal tag).

### Vertex Colors

Parameter ID: `FBXIMPORT_COLORS`

If this option is enabled, [Vertex Colors](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/TVERTEXCOLOR.html.md) saved in an FBX fila as a Vertex Color tag (with a correctly defined **Vertex Color** option) will be imported.

### Grayscale to Vertex Maps

Parameter ID: `FBXIMPORT_COLORS_AS_VERTEX_MAPS`

If this option is enabled, any vertex grayscales contained in the FBX file (i.e., a grayscale assigned to a point that, for example, is used as weighting) will be imported into Cinema 4D as a vertex map (grayscale). If this option is disabled, grayscales will also be imported as Vertex Color tags.

### Flip Z Axis

Parameter ID: `FBXIMPORT_FLIP_Z_AXIS`

### Up Axis

Parameter ID: `FBXIMPORT_UP_AXIS`

Due to its popularity, the FBX format is used by a wide range of applications, some of which have a different axis system from Cinema 4D. These settings can be used to compensate. If a scene is imported from a given application that rotates the back side to the front, the **Flip Z Axis** option should be enabled. The **Up Axis** settings will import the respective axis in the FBX file oriented upwards. For clarification: the FBX file's vertex sets will always be mirrored or rotated. The object point axes in Cinema 4D will always point in the usual directions (Y up, X right, Z rear).