BATs with Google Sketchup

[smithnya1 0]

Hey guys, I've been rying to get started creating some BATs with gmax. The process is a bit too complicated for me, at least it is at the time that I have no experience using gmax. So my question is, is it possible to create BATs using a program like Google Sketchup? If it is, are tehre any good tutorials you can point to?

[Evillions 552]

Just try GMAX and look at tips and hints in the Omnibus, you'll find great stuff around there like how to make a simple house or office.

[simcity4fan12 13]

You can use sketchup to make BATs. I do it alot. There isn't any tutorials yet, I want to write one but time and procrastination prevent me at the moment. If you are going to use sketchup and need help, just PM me.

[madhatter106 3,903]

Originally posted by: smithnya1

Hey guys, I've been rying to get started creating some BATs with gmax. The process is a bit too complicated for me, at least it is at the time that I have no experience using gmax. So my question is, is it possible to create BATs using a program like Google Sketchup? If it is, are tehre any good tutorials you can point to?

quote>

Just work through phillipbo's tutorial in the omnibus - it's not difficult, it just takes a little patience and time.  Of course opening gmax and BATting from scratch is going to be "too complicated," because as you yourself have said, you "have no experience using gmax."  The omnibus tutorials should help with that.

As for Sketchup, I can't really say, but the stuff I've seen imported from Sketchup has left me less than impressed.  (Personal preference, you understand - you Sketchup disciples don't jump all over me, haha)  And it adds another un-necessary step to the process, in my opinion - taking it from Sketchup to gmax, rather than just working in gmax to begin with.

[nathanthemayor 1,261]

Yes, there is a video on utube on how to do it.

[Cockatoo 2,256]

I'd argee with Madhatter. SketchUp made models are generally un-impressive and low quality - it really is the cheep and easy way to BAT.

If you're serious, learn to model with Gmax or Max. It'll take longer, but you'll be grateful in the long run. Any serious BATer will tell you that.

[nofunk 1,933]

I have created BATs using gmax, 3ds max AND sketchup (my Kingsley Arms was a sketchup model), and I haven't found sketchup to be any easier in the end. I would agree that it is faster and easier initially to model a building in sketchup, but then you have to import it into gmax or 3ds max anyway to light it up and export it for the game. Textures don't seem to transfer over very well, and re-texturing a sketchup model in gmax or 3ds max can be a real pain, because neither program imports model geometry in a coherent fashion. (Different elements that have nothing to do with each other can get merged together erroneously, forcing you to texture each face individually).

There are a few people on this site who have been using sketchup to make BATs, and they have had generally good results. But the truth is that the most prolific BATers on here have used gmax or 3ds max. Take the time to learn gmax; and go through the tutorials on the Omnibus. It really isn't such a complicated program once you've spent some time figuring it out.

Good luck!

[Nomadic 23]

I used Sketchup once to make a base model for a building but thats about it.

The google version was meant to be used with Google Earth to create low poly meshes. Sketchup Pro is more advance but still a very simple program.

Learn GMAX, it will help in the long run.

[SimFox 802]

if SketchUp support any kind of scripting then it should be possible to make Bat4SketchUp, as there is absolutely nothing MAX/GMAX specific in the export process. It should work on any 3d package that has render capabilities be it Maya, SketchUp Pro, Modo, Blender.

The quality of the result will mostly be down (with modern packages as opposite to ancient GMAX) to the skill of one making it rather then package used..

[kokanee44 0]

ya google supports scripting .. on pro 7 ...  Google has a lot of plugins and scripts .. so  i dont for see any probs doing Bat4SketchUp .. there is alot out for sketchup to convert rendering , lighting and so on .. plus u can go back and forth between many 3d programes .. and u can get sdk file for free .. plus thers ruby script creator for free also ..

[SimFox 802]

so, why don't you start assembling such a script... I could help you with advise on the inner mechanics of the BAT, at least on how it is realized in Max

[SimFox 802]

so, why don't you start assembling such a script... I could help you with advise on the inner mechanics of the BAT, at least on how it is realized in Max

[kokanee44 0]

if i knew how to do it   

[tomfoolery_79 85]

I have used sketchup in the past, but not for BAT's. I always thought the program was incredibly simple. A tutorial would be nice for BAT's using this program.

[kokanee44 0]

the link shows how this guy imports from sketchup in to 3d max 

http://3dsmaxrendering.blogspot.com/2008/09/sketch-up-to-3ds-max-does-work.html

[LivingInThePast 364]

I C&P'd a "tutorial" from ST, cleaned it up some, and reposted on my blog (I did cite it)

http://ps3dsc4.blogspot.com/2009/09/from-sketchup-to-gmaxa-brief-tutorial.html

Note that you need SketchUp Pro to export properly.

[SimFox 802]

newest version of 3ds Max (+connectivity update) could open Sketchup files directly, I hear... May be someone could give it a try...

[MTT9 187]

I have SketchUp Pro, and the only problem i've noticed is:

As you can see in the pic when you place an omni light in one side of the model, all the sketch up faces facing the omni will light up, even a face behind another one, will light up.

Up to now, this is the only problem, although, it's a pretty big one...

Matt

[simcity4fan12 13]

Well, that in my experience with sketchup, I've noticed that that isn't really sketchup's fault. I had a simliar problem with a Gmax made model.

[MTT9 187]

And is it possible to solve it?

Matt

[SimFox 802]

OK, I'm just fishing here... but.. have you turned on Shadow generation for that omni you've put in your scene?

[simcity4fan12 13]

Just to prove my point that that error doesn't only happen with sketchup models.

^gmax shape.

Simfox, I don't really have much problems like this, but I would like to know what you meant by that. That doesn't sound familar in Gmax....

[SimFox 802]

I mean in GMAX by default Shadow generation is turned off in the lights properties. So they "shine" through objects. Basically it is 't really light t all it is just a matter of brightening the surface that is turned toward the light, So naturally shadows is an extra thing in such a setup. Extra that has to be enabled separately.

[gutterclub 2,729]

Just a quick video showing 3Dsmax 2010 -> Sketchup

http://download.autodesk.com/us/3dsmax/connection_extension/stretchup/3ds_max_stretchup_820x510.html

[MTT9 187]

@SimFox: Thanks, that solved the problem. Although i'm embarrassed, it was so easy to solve...

@gutterclub: I've seen this video before, but for what i know this feature was never released.

[SimFox 802]

No problem.

As for the SketchUp importer it is released. But it isn't a part of 3ds Max2010, rather it is an extra that is available for the subscribers (meaning people paying extra). And it isn't 3ds Max2010 -> SketchUp, it is SketchUp -> 3dsMax 2010