Remote Rendering with MagicaVoxel

Foxel can use MagicaVoxel as an alternative renderer for frames, image sequences, and GIF animations.

This option is available through the Render with MagicaVoxel setting in the render dialog.

Requirements

To use remote rendering, MagicaVoxel must be installed and configured in Foxel's preferences.

Foxel expects a compatible MagicaVoxel version and needs the path to the MagicaVoxel executable.

How It Works

MagicaVoxel does not provide a command-line render interface, so Foxel controls it through its user interface.

During remote rendering, Foxel exports temporary .vox files, opens them in MagicaVoxel, triggers the render process, and waits for the result to be completed.

Why It Is Experimental

This feature is marked as experimental because it depends on MagicaVoxel's current user interface and timing behavior.

Changes in MagicaVoxel, differences between systems, or user interaction during the process can cause the render to fail.

Limitations

Remote rendering with MagicaVoxel has some limitations:

• Transforms
  MagicaVoxel does not support Foxel's full transformation system, so voxel data is transformed before export when needed.

• Lights
  Foxel light objects are not transferred to MagicaVoxel.

• Materials
  Foxel and MagicaVoxel use different material systems, so material results will not match exactly.

• Color and Material Capacity
  Foxel supports many more color and material combinations than MagicaVoxel, so complex setups may need to be simplified.

Recommendations

For more reliable results:

• close MagicaVoxel before starting the render,
• do not interact with the MagicaVoxel window while Foxel is controlling it,
• and avoid interruptions from other applications during the process.

Remote rendering can be useful when you want a different visual style or want to use MagicaVoxel's renderer for final output.