3D Buzz - 3ds max

New to 3d (Robot character)

Cortes — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:28:54 GMT

Sup peoples. This is my first model in 3ds max 09, which I came to know a month or so ago. I'm modeling, texturing, and animating this little dude and would like feedback and critique.

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/t...y/robotv22.jpg
http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/t.../robotv223.jpg
http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/t...lfwaydone1.jpg

I made simple ball joints for the arms and legs. The unwrapping process was pure hell at first, lol. Max didn't seem to help with a lot of that, but nonetheless I succeeded in my first unwrap!

Things that are still giving me problems in the modeling area is the hand and the helmet. I am having a really difficult time modeling cone shaped horns to cleanly protrude out of this rounded helmet shape. I made the helmet by selecting polys on the head, shift extruding, and using the shell modifier. But all the methods I've tried aren't producing a satisfying enough result. I've tried cutting a circle/diamond into the helmet with snaps on, extruding vertices, and other methods I've forgotten, but it just looks... eh. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I also am unsure about the hand. Right now the fingers and all the limbs are constructed with simple ball joints. However, I feel that they are too simplistic looking and so I want to model a little more detail into their design but making the mesh deform around the joints is obviously proving to be difficult. Suggestions on that would be cool too.

It's sort of fun fiddling around in photoshop and I am still learning about how to paint textures. I am interested in making simple intersecting lines across the mesh and giving them depth with specular maps, but am not sure how to go about it yet.

Finally, the eyes and spheres on the chest need some more work done. I would like some advice on how to model/texture more detailed, glassy type orbs for the eyes and detail as seen on many other robots modeled in Max. I am not sure how to begin to produce that effect on my own.

Looking for tutorials on how to style hair using Max's Hair and Fur

Jeremy — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:33:17 GMT

Does anyone here know of a good tutorial for styling different kinds of hair and fur in Max? I'm working on a WIP image and am having trouble getting the hair to do what I want it to do. I was able to get the hair right for one of the characters (using spline guides) because he only has a little hair on his head, but the platypus character has fur all over, and right now it's going just everywhere.

I specifically need to find out how to isolate different parts of the underlaying mesh and style the hair for just those sections (I have some areas that are close together) but I could use a tutorial that builds a little stronger foundation in how to use hair and fur in general.

Curve Network possible?

BushAV8R — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:56:42 GMT

Hi,

I am a member sponsor and had a look at the Maya modeling videos, even I am a 3ds Max user. I watched a few videos, where Zak was using a curve network as a reference for modeling. This looks like an awesome method, and I would like to use it in 3ds Max as well.

Is anyone of you using it in 3ds Max or does someone know, if it is possible to use the same approach as in Maya. Sorry for asking, but I never used CV or EP nurbs curves in Max.

Thanks for reading!

-Pete

can anyone give me a really detailed tutorial on advanced modeling please ?

matan_tsu — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:33:27 GMT

well the title says it all ...

2009 model destroyed by 2011 upgrade

captainpuglet — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:14:34 GMT

I was working on a 3D model of the SCAR assault rifle a few weeks back, I was posting the progress in the WIP section some of you might have seen. Anyway, right before I started to texture it I splashed out on a brand new system for university work. I also upgraded most of my software with the latest student versions.

Anyway, this was the high poly model I had created:
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7956/hipoly.jpg

I formatted my HDD, installed Windows 7 upgrade from Vista and 3Ds Max 2011 (previously using 2009).

At first I actually couldn't open any of the project files for the model in 2011 which bugged me since I thought I'd completely lost it but I was able to open a recovery file of it that max 2011 created after crashing out from being unable to open the original.

So I open up the recovery file that max creates from the original and the mesh of the main section of the gun is all deformed and ruined... There's also another section completely missing and all the detailing on the main section is also gone.

This is how it looks now:
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/6130/gunruined.jpg

Is there any way I can resolve this issue or is my model doomed?I could remodel the deformed areas but that's a bit of a bitch and I think I'd rather start something new.

Additional unnecessary rant:

Logitech Revolution mouse. Biggest pile of crap I've ever bought. Seriously, �70 for a mouse that doesn't even have middle click functionality... Can't do any modeling until my new Logitech Performance MX arrives which is really annoying me. I don't care about hyperscrolling crap I just want to navigate my scene! >.<

vray properties box

migfyeh — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:58:19 GMT

hello
vray object properties box is missing from the quad menus. any solution?? though all other functions of vray are working just fine.
3ds max 2011
vray 1.5 sp4

Vray backburner problem - stitching error - please help

JMCGINN24 — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:38:52 GMT

We have been using vray 1.5 and max design 2011 for about six months with no problems until about a week ago. The problem happens when we use backburner for a network rendering. The job runs fine but when it is stitched together the image doesn't match. It appears like some of the machines are not getting the same lighting information from the scene. It happens if we use two severs or all seven. If we run the a single frame (no network render) it runs fine, but as soon as we send it through backburner it gets messed up. All of the machines have exactly the same specs and software, we have also tried reinstalling all the machines, no luck. These are the same files that worked fine two weeks ago, we have tried several files and they all produce the same results. We do occasionally get an "invalid image file header error" (this is rare) I have attached an image if anyone can help it would be great.

Attached Images

AAAA.png (1.70 MB)

Geometry Loader - A 3ds max animation

Mnemonix666 — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:27:15 GMT

Over the past week I have been bored with a laptop, and no mouse.
I decided to put my newly learned knowledge of the link constraint to work and to also have a practice with rigging and I eventually came up with a short animation.

I'm looking for feedback / advice, as I plan to do something far more detailed when I get home. Consider this just to be a proof of concept.

Geometry Loader

I'm still learning so be harsh, I want to know where I am going wrong :)

Thanks for watching!

modeling problem. please hlep !!

matan_tsu — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:11:00 GMT

the problem is :

'Vert 1' is connected to 'Vert 2' BUT it isnt a actual 'Edge' so i cant remove it i already tried to 'Detach' the Verts but it dosent work !!
please help !!!!!!!!!!

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8286/128315216762.jpg

Smoothing Groups Problem ?

DarkAng3L — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:09:31 GMT

I am new to 3d modeling and there still is a lot i don't know, but about the problem with my model, as you can see in the pictures bellow there is something wierd going on with the polys at the nose of the plane.

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/1...highlights.jpg
http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/4...htsedgedfa.jpg
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9334/renderc.jpg

Ii think it's because of Smoothing Groups, but I tried everything I know to correct the problem and no matter what degree of smoothing I set (high or low) it's still the same...so does anyone know a way to help me out ? :)

How to snap a vertex from a mesh to a CV nurbs curve in Max?

stealthcoder — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:33:25 GMT

jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

Free ArchViz MaxScripts from DigitalXModels

John Pruden — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:54:01 GMT

Hey everyone,
I just finished another maxScript called Ceiling Grid Generator. It's a free script that will quickly create 'metal' ceiling grids that you normally see in commercial interior spaces.

This script allows you to set custom sizing for the tile openings, the width of the grid, the height of the grid, and also creates the strips along the border for a nice finished look. You can also shift the grid side to side or up and down as well as rotate the grid. You can then preview the final grid, or go back and make more changes before committing to a grid that fits your space perfectly.

You can access the script on my website: http://www.digitalxmodels.com/produc...ator_maxscript
and there is a video demo here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXVnnkT2KMY

I also released another script 2 weeks ago called Displacement Roof Surfaces. For the moment the script focuses on barrel tile roofs only, however future updates will include other types of tile, metal roofs, and shingles. It works by creating the materials and displacement maps and then applies proper UV coords to your existing roof geometry. After the script has run you can interactively change the tile color, contrast, and tile size as well. There are a couple video demos on Youtube.

The script can be accessed here (you will need to register to download it):

http://www.digitalxmodels.com/produc...aces_maxscript

And the videos are here (you may need to turn up the volume):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JteWV9TurCI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dilYS...eature=channel

Enjoy!!!

John Pruden
Digital-X

finished 3d renderings

ensann — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:16:50 GMT

http://www.shanghaiarchi.com/uploadf...5131036571.jpg
http://www.shanghaiarchi.com/uploadf...5130941103.jpg
http://www.shanghaiarchi.com/uploadf...5130857747.jpg

How to create objects on the Z plane first?

Dvoyles — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:54:19 GMT

I have recently been watching the 3DS Max video for modeling the AT-AT, but I am confused as to how he creates his objects. I am up the part on the first video where they are creating the cylinders for the legs, however I've noticed that when they create the object, it appears flat at first (in that, you can see the face of the object) then they extend the depth.

For me, it always appears to go from front to back, so I have a difficult time seeing how large my object is initially.

I guess the most simple way to explain it would be to say that when they create an object such as a cylidner, they create the height first, and then the gurth, where I create the gurth and then the height.

Looking for the best Hair system Plugin????

chess4thestupid — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:34:35 GMT

Yo guys and gals,

I'm curious about any experience anyone has had with plugins for hair and fur in Max.

I gotta do fuzz like on a wool blanket... and a few other oddities...

Any opinions? Experiences??

Just seems a little hard to do with Max's Hair and Fur... I could be wrong about this as well... I don't usually do hair that much beyond simple stuff.

Any input AT ALL would be much appreciated.

~ Chess