3ds Max - Troubleshooting & General Discussion

[Jasoncw 11,840]

This thread is for asking questions and troubleshooting for 3ds max and BAT4Max.  This is a continuation of the old thread, so look through the old thread for your question before asking it here.

This thread is for troubleshooting.  To talk about future BAT4Maxes, how the features of 3ds max can be applied to BATing, and more things along those lines, post in the 3ds Max Think Tank thread.

[Running Naked in the Snow 2]

Originally posted by: Jasoncw Hello, 

So you've already reinstalled Gmax?  Maybe your BAT installer got messed up somehow, try redownloading that, and trying again.  I don't really know how to fix the problem.  Also check the Sim City site for FAQs or troubleshooting for it.

3ds max 9 should work, as long as you install it in the right directory (it should be in my computer, not program files (the default), check out the 3ds max troubleshooting thread).  But doesn't the educational version have a watermark on the renders?  If so, then there will also be a watermark on your BATs. 

For Sim City purposes, you'll need BAT4Max, which can be found in the modds and downloads section on this site.quote>

A quick question re: BatforMax... I have 3ds Max 9 and i m trying to install this, but im stumped at this part:

5. Find your 3dsmax.ini file (in your 3ds max root directory) and back it up somewhere, so you can easily bring it back if the next step causes problems in your 3dsmax setup.  (It didn't affect mine.)

Theres no 3dsmax.ini file or any file that ends with .ini in the whole root directory. Liek I said earlier, i think this instruction is way outdated. Any help with this would be more than appreciated.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Running Naked in the Snow:   I think it might be a hidden file. Make sure you're set up to see hidden files. Also, make sure you're looking for it in the 3ds max folders, not the BAT4Max folders.

[Running Naked in the Snow 2]

Originally posted by: Jasoncw Running Naked in the Snow:   think it might be a hidden file. Make sure you're set up to see hidden files. Also, make sure you're looking for it in the 3ds max folders, not the BAT4Max folders.quote>

show hidden files is enabled (have been since i got this computer; I like to feel a little omnisecent while tinkering with my computer), and in the 3dsmax root folders, no .ini to speak of. I m a little concerned about this, infact. Everything I see is .dlls, and no file comes close to the file mentioned in the step I pasted above.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

There are a lot of .dlls in that spot, but there should also be a few .inis. Try using the search to search your computer for the filename, and see if something comes up. If nothing does, try reinstalling 3ds max.

Does 3ds max open when you open it? I'm pretty sure that file tells what the program what to do when starting up, so if the program is acting fine, then the file should there somewhere.

Also, there are a lot of files there, so make sure you didn't miss it. Sort the files by type or by name or something to help you find it, if you didn't do that already.

Also, I think the file is updated every time you open 3ds max, so if you open 3ds max, it should be the most recently modified file there, so you can sort by that too.

[Running Naked in the Snow 2]

The search suggestion worked-- it was not in the root directory, but the documents and settings\user\application data directory on XP. not sure if its a change in the file structure of the new version or not.

Thank you! it works on version 9, now Im off to test this HSRP model I have!

[onlyplace4 603]

I have a major problem. I am using BAT4Max in 3ds max v9 and have a building ready to render at 595m. I have exported the LODs in the usual way, but everytime I try and Export the LODs ready for the render from BAT4Max I get an error code = 6. I have successfully exported at 500m before, and I seem to recall having done a test export of LODs at 600m, but for some reason these LODs will not export. Could it be the width? They are 120m+ square at the base.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Code 6 again!

I have a small building.  I start exporting, the progress jumps to 24% and then 20 seconds later it says there was a code 6 error.

Last time this happened, I reworked my night lights, and it worked.

However, this time, I've actually deleted all of my lights, and there is still the error.  Also, I only have 7 omnis, 7 spotlights, and 4 directional lights, in addition to the lighting rig, and this is a small building, so I don't think those would be a problem in the first place.

I'm using Mental Ray in 3ds max 8.

Does anyone have any ideas?

And also, what does code 6 mean?

[Mascri 0]

Hello everyone. Nice to meet you!!

All of before. I don't speak English well. so I talk with a transration machine site.

Please understand it. Thank you.

I hava a question about 3DSmax with "BatforMaxV2"

I using 3DSmax8.(windows XP Home SP2)

I want to use a "Preview" just same B.A.T(Gmax).

The panel does the blackout, and buttons cannot be pushed.

Can I use it ?

and I don't know hou to see a previer each appearance in "Night" and "Day".

Please teach me how to correct usage a "Preview" just like a B.A.T(Gmax).

(By the way. I was compleat make a .SC4Model already)

Thank you. 

and I'm sorry my bad English.

[onlyplace4 603]

As far as I know there is no way to get the preview to work like it does in BAT. You can zoom in and out using the zoom slider on your perspective viewport and then do a normal 3ds max render.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I've made a post about the previews in the BAT - Mega FAQ.  Both are possible in 3ds max. 

Edit:

Here's some progress on my problem.

I've re-exported and exported some new LODs, and tried again, but the same problem.  The progress jumps to 24%, thinks for a while, and then tells me there is a code 6.

I've noticed that it turns all of the lights on my roof off, but deleting those lights does not solve the problem.

The LODs have not been changed or deleted.

I've downloaded the "new" MSBuildingmill.ms (or whatever that file is named) from the old thread, but that didn't help.

[Mascri 0]

Thank you very much!!

I'd serch a keyward only "3DSmax", so I could not find these good thread.

Thank you again onlyplace4 and Jasoncw your usefull post!!

[Jasoncw 11,840]

You are welcome Mascri.

I've noticed that in the bottom corner of the screen, just before it displays the processing time, it gives a description of the error.  It said "Error Occured Somewhere" (very useful, lol).  But I searched the CPBuildingMill.ms file, and the error is from the following:

gCurStepCP = 126

                gCameraRig.SetCam zoom rot updateViewport:true

                gCameraRig.SetupRenderViewport curShell

                local shellNode = FnCreateLowPolyShell curShell modelName doNight:bHasNightMats

                if (shellNode == undefined) then         -- Create shell may fail

                (

                    local errorMsg = ("Failed to create low poly shell!\n" + (FnZoomRotInfoString zoom rot))

                    messageBox errorMsg

                    throw errorMsg

                )

               

                success += 1

               

                success += 1

            )

        )

        success = -1

    )

    catch

    (

        print "Error Occurred Somewhere"

    )

    --prograssUpdate 100quote>

That looks like it's having problems with my LODs.  I don't understand what though, since I exported my LODs from 3ds max to BAT, and then exported them from there without changing anything.  The LODs I need are custom ones, but I also tried it with the automatic LODs, and the same thing happens.

I don't really understand what is going on, lol.

Edit:  I've also tried doing it for a simple teapot, and the same thing happens.

[nofunk 1,933]

(X-posted in the old thread currently. Jason, feel free to delete that one.)

All right, I'm sure this has been covered before, but I've paged through over half of this thread and haven't come across it, so I'm going to ask. I've tried to export in 3DS MAX 8 a few times now, and every time it locks up at 24% done. I'm not getting any error messages, and it doesn't appear as though the program is locking up (it doesn't say "Not Responding" in the Task Manager) but it is clearly getting stuck. Any ideas?

P.S. SimFox, thanks for the help above. I've gotten past the lighting errors, but still haven't gotten the snaps to work properly. Oh well: you win some, you lose some. 

P.P.S. Stop moving threads, Jason!

[Mascri 0]

Thank you very much Jasoncw for your good  "BAT - Mega FAQ"

By the way, May I one request to your FAQ about "How to make Night Windows" at 3DSmax.

I tried to make(export test) objects that It shine only night.

I renamed a object "Night_xxx", "xxx_night", "xxx_nite" "xxx-nite"....etc.

but I have never succeeded it.

however, I could succeeded make a "LIGHT(nitelite_xxx)"

I have no idea anymore....

by the way.

I look the error code=6 many times, me too.

I think that most of the cause about this problems is "Night Lighting".

I hope everyone's new information and attestation.

Thank you.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I have added a post about night lighting into the BAT Mega FAQ for you.  It is a good question. 

[Mascri 0]

Wow!! Thank you!! 

Thank you very much Jasoncw for your  answer and great topic a quickly

....but if there is no self-illumination in the -night library material, it won't show up in the game unless a nitelite is shining on it to light it up. quote>

I have understood this meaning well thanks to you.

You are not "Local HERO" now, You are really "HERO" of us

ok,

Your FAQ are very significantly!!

If you hava a free times, Please add topics that guide of function added by "BatforMAXV2".

("Randomize Night Window" ,  "Randomize Window Color" and How to use them correctly.)

Thank you again Jasoncw your great helps.

and reading my bad English messages too. 

[Jasoncw 11,840]

You're welcome Mascri! 

I do not know how to use those functions ("Randomize Night Window" and  "Randomize Window Color"), so I can not write about them yet. 

The part you quoted is not what you think it is.  Self-illumination is something you can do with materials, and is part of a different way of making nitelites.  I have not learned how to use this different way yet, but someday I will, and I will write a post about it when I do.  But I do not know when I will learn it.

Your English is bad, and funny to read, but it is easy to understand. 

For some reason, 3ds max has started telling me that my code error is 410, at location 6 (I just started using the new building mill script, found in the old 3ds max thread, although that was last week), and the the error code 410 is:  "Rendering problem for daytime render (may be 3ds max or memory problem)."  Now I know that I'm having a problem with my daytime render, lol.  But I do recall that this was the same as an error I had in the past (with Chase Tower I think).

[SimFox 802]

Jason, I can not say much from this information... send me the offending model I try to export it and see what happens...

[Mascri 0]

Hi Jasoncw again.

Yeh,Yeh...My quote was my big misundestanding thing....

I began just to use 3DSmax. so I'm very confused to that a difference with BAT(G-Max).

and It's very difficult for me who doesn't understand English well to look for specific information from among the barrage of informations. 

so Your MEGA-FAQ is helps to me(us) very much. I hope to you keep do it please!!

Thank you Jasoncw. and your best teaching !!

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Thanks SimFox!

Hello Mascri.

Gmax is a free, weakened version of 3ds max, that was made so that casual game players could make things for their games.  Certain games let you download "gamepacks" for Gmax.  The BAT is for Sim City, and lets you make Sim City buildings.  Other games have other gamepacks.

But the BAT did not work for 3ds max, it only worked for Gmax.  So some people recreated the lights and the cameras for 3ds max.  Then they made a way to make .FSH files (open a .SC4Model file in iLive's reader to see what a .FSH file is) out of the 3ds max render.

In 3ds max, you have tools that are not in Gmax.  You also have freedom with how you render things.  You have the ability to make higher quality renders compared to Gmax.

Many Japanese people use 3ds max, although not very many people use it for Sim City.

[Mascri 0]

Hello Jasoncw and everyone

I want to your help about rendering Higher-Buildings(over 300m) today.

About modeling in the building of height that exceeds 300 meters. 

It could not work correctry well.

( The part that over about 300m be black (shadow?).) 

I think that CameraLightRig is a cause in it.

I could not found though I remember the file connected to it was in STEX. 

Do you know that where is that file? or Do you have any idea about it??

Thank you very much every times Jasoncw.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Mascri, your problem has happened before, but I do not know how to solve it.  Ill Tonkso had the problem before, and he solved it, but I don't know how.

I'm having a problem with one of my buildings, VanWingerden Plaza.  It thinks that the nitelites aren't nitelites, but normal day lights.  It renders those lights during the day as if they were normal lights, and then there is no night time render, as if there were no nitelites.  Otherwise it is working fine.

I'm also having a problem rendering one of Nofunk's buildings.  Error 6, location 490, "Problem enabling/disabling nitelites".

Does anyone have any suggestions for either problems?  To me it seems like they are the same problem, except it's only being reported for Nofunk's.

[Mascri 0]

Thank you again Jasoncw for your reply.

OK, I see.

 I'll send a PM and talk to with ill tonkso later about this problem and how to solved it too.

Fortunately, I don't have seen that error yet. (about Error 6)

I pray for a solution of the problem being found.

by the way, 

I'm looking forward to completion of your "Snow Modd" !!

(I can't forget this your joke. I liked it !)

Thank you.

[nofunk 1,933]

*sigh* I just want to get back to BATing...

I installed 3ds max on my old PC (running XP) with no problem. I recently installed it on my new Vista laptop, but was getting some graphical glitches, so I decided to reinstall.

Now I can't get it reinstalled. I get 99% installed and then receive this error:

Error 1920. Service 'RaySat_3dsmax8 Server'

(mi-raysat_3dsmax8) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.

It asks for me to Retry or Cancel. Retry prompts it to think a little bit longer, only to bring up the same error; Cancel uninstalls the program.

I'm not sure what the problem is. Could it have anything to do with the previous install I did? Are there old registry keys screwing this up or something? Any ideas how to fix it would be greatly appreciated!

Please help me get productive again!

[SimFox 802]

mi-rayserver is a rendering engine from Mental Ray 8mi = Mental Images)

Try to install is as administrator. What version of Vista do you have?

Graphical glitches are due to the Vistas Aero interface. You can choose to disable it for the duration of MAX running.

Yes there will for sure be old registry keys. Vistas architecture is quite different from that of XP, it doesn’t (at least in some versions) allow access to it’s core to any programs. So older programs may not function properly at some point or another. May be y7our uninstall problem is just that.

Long time ago when Vista was at beta stage I’ve tried to install MAX8 on it and it worked just fine. Max9, though, didn’t… but Vista has been changed since then. MAX9 now work almost completely fine (some very minor graphical glitches remain but they are really tolerable…

[nofunk 1,933]

I tried running as administrator last night and again today and got the same error.

Putzing around the net, I found this on Autodesk's official site: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=6030343&linkID=9241177

I implemented the fix offered there, but I'm still getting the error.

I also read on a few message boards about a program called MaSai Installer, that allows you to disable the start service to bypass the step of installation that generates the error. However, the MaSai program is old and I can no longer get a trial activation key.......

I haven't tried the manual registry fix, but I'm not sure I can on Vista (I assume the registry is secure behind lock and key now) and quite honestly, I'm not very comfortable messing with my registry.

*sigh* Am I SOL??

[6underground 11]

Hey, I seem to be having a problem in exporting a model from 3DSMax 9. I'm not getting any error reports at all in the process, or afterward. in both GMAX (for LODs) and 3dsmax, both end with "export successful", but when it comes to the LOT editor, the whole thing is blank, as though 3dsmax didn't apply the rendered images onto the LOD's.

I checked the output files and sure enough the images of the basic model i wanted to look at in simcity were present:

So, for whatever reason, whatever is being rendered is not being applied :s

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Make sure that the units are the same for both your gmax LOD scene and your 3ds max scene.  Try making new LODs and reexporting. 

[6underground 11]

Still no effect i'm afraid, it's just not being applied to the LOD's since the filesze remains at 11kb, and does not change after I render in 3ds max.