Did you save the CC3 project? Did you make a copy of the CC3 avatar before sending it to CC4? You have to be responsible to backup your creations.

As yepkoo points out, many software programs (not just iClone or CC) will not open items created in newer versions. So this is not about strong-arming anybody...:unsure:

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I don't think it's just about fbx.key.
In CC4, new features can be defined to the character and CC3 may not see these features or crash.
Many programs, not just CC, will not open older version files.
However, I don't know if it will be difficult as a solution, but the export option can be added to old versions. For example, exporting a word file compatible with old version office programs.
Of course, I don't know if this is possible.

However, I don't think the same thing for the live link we set up with CA4.
Because this link just imitates animations.
If iC8 Live Link works with UE4 and UE5, I think CA4's plugin will also work with a minor update.


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It has been explained many, many times on the forum over many years that once a character is saved in a newer version it can't then be taken back to an older version. This isn't new with CC4. This has been the case with every version of iClone and every version of Character Creator (and also Cartoon Animator).


                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

What is so hard about it? Let me give you an example:

1) Create a new character in CC3
2) Import that character / convert in CC4
2) Export character as .FBX
3) CC4 doesn't include .fbxkey (embedded)

So once you have converted a CC3 character to CC4, there is no going back. Say you are working with partners (as we do) that don't yet have CC4. You are out of luck if you have made extensive changes to their CC3 characters. There is no way back, not via .iAvatar, not via .FBX. 

I presume Reallusion never thought of this scenario. Or quite the contrary --- they are well aware and just trying to heavy-arm people into purchasing CC4. I will tell you this, as a result of this "problem", we are likely moving away from Reallusion altogether.

Need more explanation?

I don't understand what is so hard about the FBX key...:unsure:

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It may be right or wrong, I just write in my own opinion;

FBXKey verifies that the imported character is a Standard CC character and maybe includes some settings such as applied morphs.
However, since CC4 has 3DXChange feature, it will not need FBXKey when importing non-standard characters such as the character of the friend who opened the topic.
However, if a non-standard change is made on the CC character, it can still be imported as a non-standard character without using FBXKey.
Since the program knows that this is not a standard character, some of the features we use for standard characters will not be available for non-standard characters.
Of course, I cannot guess to what extent these limitations are.

Frankly, I searched the forum site and could not find a clear answer from any official about FBXKey, which everyone has been trying to make sense of for years.


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CC4 also uses FBXKey when used in the way I described previously, but you won't use FBXKey when importing non-standard FBX characters into CC4.


                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

Yes, you are right.
This is nothing new.
But it's a huge new feature for CC4.
Because CC3 does not support 3DXChange, so you cannot import your characters.
Maybe the purpose of FBXKey is to protect morphs as you said. But it can also be a precaution as you can't properly import your own specially equipped characters into CC3.
So it's not just morphs I'm talking about.
The CC3 program seems to be 100% dependent on CC characters.
After all, you can also apply morph using iClone.


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