3ds Max Questions Thread

[furswift]

I am starting a 3ds Max questions thread for reasons I've stated here:
http://www.stexcalibur.com/forum/index.php/topic,4704.0.html

I just got 3ds Max (legally) and since I'm new to building models and very new to this program I'm going to have many questions which I believe the gurus on this site can answer.

So here's my 1st question: When building a model for export for Excalibur or Bridge Commander does every polygon need to have a targa file mapped to it or can some just be left as the material color. I know it seems trivial, but it could cut down on a lot of work and texture file size. Thanks.

[Black Patriot]

Sounds like a good idea, i downloaded 3ds Max a few days ago, been trying to remember how to do stuff (not that I was that great with it back in the day). It's an interesting question, but I'd have to assume that everything needs textures, I don't remember seeing any games that can do without textures (but I could be wrong).

[AricwithanA]

Awesome.  I was able to also legally download load it the other day and yet to have touched it.  I have never used it before, so I have lots to learn (haven't dealt with it in school yet).

So I'm a complete noob there.  School quarter is done after next week, so hopefully I'll get some time.  I have to get my LCARS UI for my phone finished up, documentation made and uploaded to share.  That comes first.  lol

[furswift]

Awesome.  I was able to also legally download load it the other day and yet to have touched it.

Beware! Once you start you won't be able to stop!

[AricwithanA]

Beware! Once you start you won't be able to stop!

That is what I am hoping.  I just got my schedule back from the college just a few min ago.  Moving from mostly online to on campus now (didn't need to go to campus to pass english, lol) and I'm happy to report that I Get to take the first of my 3D specific classes this next quarter.

So I am rather excited!

[Matt]

Beware! Once you start you won't be able to stop!

Its true about that, like with photoshop you keep finding new stuff that makes you want to do more and more.
Been a while since I did anything on BC but from what I remember when you don't have a texture assigned to the mesh it will come out white regardless of what colour you assign to it. I am sure it will be the same for excalibur, I am not sure because I simply don't have any part of model not textured

[furswift]

Its true about that, like with photoshop you keep finding new stuff that makes you want to do more and more.
Been a while since I did anything on BC but from what I remember when you don't have a texture assigned to the mesh it will come out white regardless of what colour you assign to it. I am sure it will be the same for excalibur, I am not sure because I simply don't have any part of model not textured

I tried an experiment where I deleted the textures of a ship and ran Bridge Commander and you're right, the ship appeared to be all white. Though it seems to be the same for Excalibur I guess it's better to be safe and just assign white to any surface that needs it. Since the texture can be arbitrarily small, it won't cost much memory.

[Jules]

So here's my 1st question: When building a model for export for Excalibur or Bridge Commander does every polygon need to have a targa file mapped to it or can some just be left as the material color. I know it seems trivial, but it could cut down on a lot of work and texture file size. Thanks.

Polies which do not have a texture on them in BC will appear white, in the Excal viewer black with a light aura around it, so you have to have textures on your entire model. Also, speaking for both BC and especially Excal, you should really learn how to make seamless meshes. BC's engine don't like seamed ones because of how it handles damaging, Excals case is the lightning anomalies it may make, as is the case with Legacy BTW, know that because one of the Legacy modders approached me with a mesh that had them and the reason was that it wasn't seamless.

Also, if you want to learn Max, I'm willing to answer questions. Best would be to add me to MSN.

[furswift]

Polies which do not have a texture on them in BC will appear white, in the Excal viewer black with a light aura around it, so you have to have textures on your entire model. Also, speaking for both BC and especially Excal, you should really learn how to make seamless meshes. BC's engine don't like seamed ones because of how it handles damaging, Excals case is the lightning anomalies it may make, as is the case with Legacy BTW, know that because one of the Legacy modders approached me with a mesh that had them and the reason was that it wasn't seamless.

Also, if you want to learn Max, I'm willing to answer questions. Best would be to add me to MSN.

Thanks for the heads up on the textures. I ended up putting textures on every polygon of my Excelsior. Could you tell me what you mean by "seamless" mesh?

[Steve]

any mesh referred to as "seamless" basically means its all one single pieces properly welded together. not just "attached".

[sman789]

Are you by any chance from Stargate: TEW, DaAan?

[AricwithanA]

Well I get to start my first day of learning 3DSM 2010 tomarrow (1/6/10).  I am rather excited!  School quarter started today (Intro to Film) but the 3D class is the one that I am waiting for.

Text Book:

3DSM 2010 Bible.  Kelly L. Murdock.  AND it comes with a full color, searchable PDF file of the book!  I AM SO HAPPY!  I wish all my books came with one, but this one specifically, YAY!  (Though using the comps at the school will be hard, I'm so used to dual screen, working on one screen with an unmodded Windows Explorer...grr...)

[furswift]

You're so lucky to be able to take a class for this. But I must admit that it's been a lot of fun learning from a book and trying to solve problems that arise. Good luck with your class!

[MR_7]

I've started learning with GMAX, if im any good i'll consider 3ds Max. As for classes, dude your i envy you.

[furswift]

any mesh referred to as "seamless" basically means its all one single pieces properly welded together. not just "attached".

I hope that doesn't mean all verticies must be welded. My Excelsior model has lots of parts that are merely "floating". I can't imagine building a model where every piece is welded together; that doesn't seem possible.

[Steve]

Are you by any chance from Stargate: TEW, DaAan?

yup i was on that mod

[Jules]

I hope that doesn't mean all verticies must be welded. My Excelsior model has lots of parts that are merely "floating". I can't imagine building a model where every piece is welded together; that doesn't seem possible.

It is possible. Both my Connie and Miranda&variants models are made like that. An exception to this rule would be my Novi Sad refit, where the buzzard glass are separate objects, because the inside of the collector is modelled, which closes the gap the buzzard glass makes.

[AricwithanA]

You're so lucky to be able to take a class for this. But I must admit that it's been a lot of fun learning from a book and trying to solve problems that arise. Good luck with your class!

I've started learning with GMAX, if im any good i'll consider 3ds Max. As for classes, dude your i envy you.

Thanks to both of you.  It is nice to have classes, but damn they are expensive.  This is the exact reason why I wanted to go to school, the rest of it is more filler/expand abilities in a couple different areas. 

The first day went well!  The regular Prof isn't going to be teaching the class.  He is a great guy and knows his stuff, but he is mostly just going to be in the class and speaking up and helping when necessary.  Some professional guy is teaching the class.  He isn't a teacher, but he knows the software and works in the industry. 

That is more than fine by me.  I get two teachers instead of one and can skip a lot of the school "fluff" since the class is mostly project orientated.

One nice thing is that there is so much one can learn, but only so much time for this class is that the class can kinda choose what we'd like to study further to tailor the learning to what the students want (that is beyond the normal things we have to learn of course). 

With that, I know the Prof is a Trek fan, so I'm going to bring up this project, the type of work it would fall under for study so that will be awesome.  I don't expect anything I make to be in the game, no no, but as a fan of Trek...I wanna make Trek Ships and have them fly around! HA!  I'm such a nerd.  lol

Since this is an evening class, the class is longer so today we covered basic shape creation, manipulation and textures.  Rendering of course.  How animation works, the tweening and the basics of bone structure/skin animation.

GAH!!!  Overload for me.  I've been wanting this for so long (mostly for my own personal project).  Already day one and I've gotten the basics of the animation for a machine/object in the world I'm creating.

After this class I have another specific class that is all a part of this also.

any mesh referred to as "seamless" basically means its all one single pieces properly welded together. not just "attached".

That is one thing I'm trying to wrap my head around.  I understand it in theory but trying to put the texture together just seems to boggle my mind.  lol  I'm sure I'll understand later.  lol

[Cyllus]

I like how every one has to include legally when they mention they got it.
>implying you didn't get it legally
not that i care or any thing i just find it ironic.

[sman789]

I think that's partially my fault