importing models to Gmax and B4MAX

[DazzaDazza 29]

am importing models from rhino to both Gmax and B4MAX,  
 when importing the Max programs give me 2 options 
1. Merge objects with current scene
2. Completely replace current scene 
witch one do i choose
also do I click convert units or not.  

also I would like to know how big a 1x1 lot is in Gmax and B4Mx what scale they use, so when I am  making the models in rhino I have a guide to work with so I don't have to piss fat around with it later in the max programs , witch I don't really know how to use, Gmax it only says generic, what size it that?  B4MAX, in meters but when I import the model is way too big. And there is no guide when you I scaling down, the grid in the back ground doesn’t mean anything. In rhino one square represents 1 meter / mm /inch what every sale you are working on,

how do find out the height of a object? So I know who much to scale it  

 

also if any one has some trips on how best to import that would be grate as well

[SimFox 800]

You should never go by grid (I assume that is what you call LOT), instead you should go by numbers. Metric once. Apart from the fact that this will give you same scale across any and all applications it is a convenient reference system. I mean if you want to know how big window should be you can just com to one and measure it.

As for the imports... At the beginning of the modeling process (eg when you scene in Max is still empty) it doesn't really matter. GBut once you have something in it, something you don't wanna loose you should merge content into it.

Conversion is, well could be tricky... It all depends what are you converting from. Some programs commonly use some "generic" units. These are just numbers without explanation what they are - meters, inches etc. In reality under the hood some real world unit is always attached to it. But many users have no clue which one. I know of some quite prominent BATers who still model skyscrapers that are only 100+ inches tall because of this. Naturally converting from such units into properly scaled Max scene will be disaster.

Another issue is that MAX has 2 sets of units - system ones that are used for all internal calculations and the display ones - these that user sees. And these could be different eg you display may be in Meters, while system unit is still in Inches. In this Duo the system unit is a king. When you converting something you do so from and into system unit.

So, the best way would be to go into your original scene and program and set all the units right there. Make sure that both system and display units are metric and meters (in this apply to Rhino)

[DazzaDazza 29]

 

thanks Simfox
so if I make every thing to sale I should not have a problem with size, as long as it is in meters, this is where I properly went wrong, I was making a model to sale but I was using a, millimeters, properly because 99% of architecture plans I read are in mills so it is just a force of habit to do the same. That’s why my lots where 100x to big, and I could not find them in lot editor.

As for the gird, it is a different set up in Rhino that it is in Max, the grid can be you friend, because you can set it to what ever distance you wont, rather then doing it in the AutoCAD way and drawing lines though measurement, you can simply just use the "snap" and draw the lines freehand, and just import pre-made windows / doors that I did earlier to the exact scale.  

[SimFox 800]

you display unit could be millimeter if you want, but your system unit must be meters or there will be exactly those kind of troubles. Although if you use mm that you models should be 1000, not 100 times larger. Also I'm a bit perplexed as to how did you manage to export such a model; unless it is something very small. GMAX will not output LODs larger then certain size and given that 1000x multiplier you'd hit that wall pretty quick.

As for the grid, well I guess it is a personal preferences but my main gripe with it is that it forces you to follow it rhythm rather then something else.