> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lightcraft.pro/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Importing Unreal scenes
> Export a scene from Unreal Engine as a Gaussian splat and USD file for use in Spark Story
Export a scene from Unreal Engine as both a Gaussian splat (for the environment) and a USD file (for foreground mesh geometry), then bring them into Spark Story.
## 1. Separate foreground elements
Identify which objects in your scene need to stay as mesh geometry — anything with fine detail the splat might miss, or elements you may want to shoot through (railings, stairs, furniture).
1. In the Unreal Editor, open the **Layers** panel.
2. Add a new layer and name it **Mesh**.
3. Drag the foreground elements you want to keep as mesh geometry into this layer (e.g., tables, chairs, railings, staircases).
## 2. Add scene locators
Scene locators mark positions in the scene where you want to place actors or quickly jump to during previs.
1. Add an empty actor to the scene.
2. Rename it using the naming convention `Scene_Lock_01` (replace `01` with a descriptive name or number).
3. Position it where you want the first locator.
4. **Alt+drag** the actor to duplicate it and create additional locators at other key positions.
5. Add the scene locators to your **Mesh** layer so they export with the foreground elements.
## 3. Install the USD exporter plugin
1. Go to **Edit > Plugins**.
2. Search for **USD Importer** (this plugin handles both import and export).
3. Enable the plugin.
4. Restart Unreal Engine.
## 4. Export as USD
1. Select the **Mesh** layer (double-click it to select all its contents, including the scene locators).
2. Go to **File > Export Selected**.
3. Choose **USD** from the file type dropdown.
4. In the USD export settings, enable **Bake Materials**.
5. Expand the material settings menus and remove any generated elements you don't need.
6. Click **Export**.
## 5. Render a panoramic 360 image
Render a single panoramic frame from Unreal Engine to use as the source for your Gaussian splat.
1. Go to **Edit > Plugins** and enable **Additional Render Passes**.
2. Add a **Camera** actor to the scene and position it in the center of your environment.
3. Open the **Sequencer**, drag your camera in, and set the in and out points so it renders a single frame.
4. Go to the **Media Render Queue** for the sequence.
5. In the render settings, delete the default **Deferred Rendering** pass.
6. Go to **Settings > Panoramic Rendering** and enable **Allocate History Per Pane**. Without this, the render will come out too dark.
7. Add any anti-aliasing settings you need.
8. Set the output resolution to **4096 x 2048** (2:1 aspect ratio).
9. Render the frame.
## 6. Convert to a Gaussian splat with World Labs
1. Open [World Labs](https://www.worldlabs.ai/) and choose **2D Input**.
2. Drag and drop your panoramic render into World Labs.
3. World Labs generates a Gaussian splat from the image, preserving the lighting from your Unreal scene.
4. Download the result as a **PLY** file.
## 7. Import into Spark Story
Bring both the Gaussian splat and the USD foreground elements into Spark Story.
1. In Spark Story, click **Add** and choose **Location**.
2. Upload your PLY Gaussian splat file. This becomes the environment background with baked lighting.
3. Click **Add** again and choose **Object**.
4. Import your USD or USDZ file containing the foreground elements (tables, chairs, staircase, etc.).
The final scene combines mesh detail for foreground elements with a Gaussian splat background that preserves the original Unreal Engine lighting.