BAT4Max v.5

[Jasoncw 11,840]

If it's a scene from an older BAT4Max, then that scene has an old camera rig xreffed in. You can go to file>xref (I think anyway)>scenes, and you can remove the rig there that's missing. See, the cameras are actually in a different scene that's "referenced" "externally" (xref). But if the scene with the cameras in it is missing, then of course it won't be able to find the cameras it's looking for.

One of the BAT4max buttons might automatically remove the xreffed scene but idk tbh, since on the odd occasion that I've had to I've just done it manually.

Anyway, after that press one of the rotation or zoom buttons and it will set the camera rig stuff up again.

[Maglor 0]

I have just tried to install BAT4MAX 5 and it is installed in 3dmax 2010, but when I try to install it for gmax I get --Runtime error: Feature not available: "DOSCommand. I have Windows 7 64 bit and I think it is down to not having DELTREE, does anyone know a workaround for this.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

GMAX + BAT

GMAX + SC4Bat installed into default folder (eg C:\GMAX) is must! First of all without GMAX + SC4Bat you wouldn’t be able to export anything. Default installation path is required because during setup of Bat4Max v5 some files will be updated in your GMAX SC4Bat as well.

[Maglor 0]

Trying to reinstall on Windows 7 64 bit after hard disk failure.

Everything worked fine with BAT4MAX4.5 but I have been unable to locate a copy. So tried to install BAT4MAX5.

3dMax and BAT were working properly before attempting to installing BAT4MAX5.

attempted to install BAT4MAX5 via MAXScript > Run Script > BAT4MAX5_Installer.mzp

got dialog

[html]no previous versions etc[/html]

got dialog

[html]MAXScript FileIn Exception

-- Runtime error: Feature not available: "createFile"[/html]

Closed BAT tried to reopen BAT

got dialog

[html]MAXScript Auto-load Script Error- 'path to script'

-- Runtime error: fileIn: can't open file-"C:\gmax\"[/html]

After failed install

[html]C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\scenes\CamLightRigs
TB2_CameraLightRig.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRig.max
TB2_CameraLightRigBig.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRigHuge.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRigMedium.gmax

C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\scenes\startup
gmaxstart.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRig.gmax

C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\scripts\startup
CPTB2Startup.ms
TB2Startup.ms
BuildingMill.ms
CameraRig.ms
CPBuildingMill.ms
CPCameraRig.ms
CPFileUtils.ms
CPModelNames.ms
CPScriptUtils.ms
CPStringUtils.ms
CPTB2Main.ms
CPTB2MainUI.ms
CPTextureUtils.ms
FileUtils.ms
ModelNames.ms
ScriptUtils.ms
SF_ConverterFunctions.ms
SF_LtbL_functions.ms
SFBatPreview_func.ms
SFCameraRig_HD.ms
StringUtils.ms
TB2Main.ms
TB2MainUI.ms
TextureUtils.ms

C:\gmax\ggmaxggamepacksBBATsscenes\CamLightRigs
TB2_CameraLightRig.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRigBig.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRigHuge.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRigMedium.gmax

C:\gmax\ggmaxggamepacksBBATsscenes\startup
gmaxstart.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRig.gmax

C:\gmax\ggmaxggamepacksBBATsscipts
SFCameraRigHD.ms
TB2MainUI.ms[/html]

By removing these files BAT works again

[html]C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\scenes\CamLightRigs
TB2_CameraLightRig.max

C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\scripts\startup
CPTB2Startup.ms
CameraRig.ms
CPBuildingMill.ms
CPCameraRig.ms
CPFileUtils.ms
CPModelNames.ms
CPScriptUtils.ms
CPStringUtils.ms
CPTB2Main.ms
CPTB2MainUI.ms
CPTextureUtils.ms
FileUtils.ms
ModelNames.ms
ScriptUtils.ms
SF_ConverterFunctions.ms
SF_LtbL_functions.ms
SFBatPreview_func.ms
SFCameraRig_HD.ms
StringUtils.ms
TB2Main.ms
TB2MainUI.ms
TextureUtils.ms

C:\gmax\ggmaxggamepacksBBATsscenes\CamLightRigs
TB2_CameraLightRig.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRigBig.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRigHuge.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRigMedium.gmax

C:\gmax\ggmaxggamepacksBBATsscenes\startup]
gmaxstart.gmax
TB2_CameraLightRig.gmax

C:\gmax\ggmaxggamepacksBBATsscipts
SFCameraRigHD.ms
TB2MainUI.ms[/html]

So it appears that one or more of the scripts in BAT4MAX5 may not be compatable with Windows 7 64 bit.

Anyone know where I can get BAT4MAX4.5.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I don't know what's wrong, but it does work with 64 bit windows 7, since that's what I use.

Good luck.

[Maglor 0]

Thanks I will try re installing system at least I now have hope of getting it working.

[Maglor 0]

Done a full re-install problem remains the same.

MAXScript Listner

Welcome to MAXScript.

-- Error occurred in FnTB2FileInOnce()

-- Frame:

-- filePath: "C:\gmax\"

-- guard: undefined

-- filename: ""

-- Error occurred during fileIn in <File:C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\scripts\startup\CPTB2Startup.ms>

-- Error occurred during fileIn in <File:C:\Users\NiJoMi\AppData\Local\Temp\mzptmp13\newInstaller.ms>

After further investigation the file that the installer cannot create is bat4max.ini

  Edited December 18, 2011 by Maglor  

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Looks like you are trying to install BAT4MAX in gmax? That is VERY wrong. All of those files you have in your C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\ directory do not belong (except for the ones installed with gmax/bat).

I will repeat again, you do not have to install BAT4MAX5 in gmax, the installer you run in 3dsmax will install the files for gmax.

[Maglor 0]

Thank you SimHoTToDDy, all fixed now.

[Cockatoo 2,256]

So you were actually trying to install BAT4Max... in gmax?

Whatever your problem was, I'd just recommend a careful re-read of the instructions.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

According to the C://gmax/gamepacks/BAT/scripts/startup folder and it's contents, it was installed in gmax. Obviously, it didn't work.

There should only be one file in there by default (TB2Startup.ms), at least that's what I have with a fresh clean download & install.

Glad to hear you got everything working though.

[MTT9 187]

I'm having a problem in 3ds Max 2008 32-bit.

When i press the glare button this happens...

Is my 3ds max version too old or theres something else wrong?

Matt

[Cockatoo 2,256]

Glare doesn't work in 2008. If you want to use it, you'll need to update your Max version.

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Simfox, got a question about TruNite: is it just a new way of doing the traditional Maxis night view or is it DarkNite only? I'm just getting back into working with 3d models after an extended break, so would like to try my hand at some 3d models -- so I'm actually quite curious about TruNite for SC4 night views.

[MTT9 187]

Cockatoo: Thanks, guess i'll just have to update.

Shadow Assassin: TruNite also works with the maxis lighting. The only thing is that the building will change from day straight to night and won't change gradually as gmax buildings. Other than that is great and, as i said, works for the traditional Maxis night view and for DarkNite too.

Matt

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Shadow Assassin: TruNite also works with the maxis lighting. The only thing is that the building will change from day straight to night and won't change gradually as gmax buildings. Other than that is great and, as i said, works for the traditional Maxis night view and for DarkNite too.

Cheers, thanks for the response.

Meanwhile, while installing 3dsmax '12, I was asked to download SP2 - I assume it has the hotfix so won't need to download that separately?

[MTT9 187]

So... I installed Max 2010 and tried to make a render and got this...

Any ideas? And i thought that the whole glare thing was going to be easy

[Cockatoo 2,256]

Now that one, that one is a real pain.

It means you're out of memory. You've got four possible solutions...

1. Make your scene less complicated. Reduce your poly count and remove unnecessary lighting. Simplify your materials and reduce your render-intensive settings.

2. If you're on a 32-bit OS with less than 4GB of memory, get more.

3. If you're on a 32-bit OS with 4GB of memory (maximum), enable the 3GB switch.

4. If you're on a 64-bit OS, get more memory.

[MTT9 187]

Cockatoo, your fast anwsers amaze me The scene is actually pretty small, 1382 polys and i still can render it in max 2008. Does max 2010 needs that much ram? Maybe i should try reinstalling max 2010.

[Cockatoo 2,256]

I just happened to be online when you posted.

So, the problem obviously isn't the poly count then.

Max 2010 is a much larger and more resource-intensive version of the program than 2008 is, I found that out first hand when I switched to 2010. If you're on a low-end system, almost all of your resources could be getting chewed up by the program itself leaving it nothing left to play with. How much ram do you have? Do you meet the minimum specs? Personally, I wouldn’t recommend running 2010 on anything less than 3 or 4 Gig. You've gotta remember that Max is a professional program designed to run on powerful systems.

It could also have something to do with the other things going on in your scene that can chew through your resources. What sort of lighting / materials are you using? Anything ridiculously complicated?

[MTT9 187]

If you go through my bat thread and see what i'm triyng to render you would laugh, so it must be that my 2gb are not enough I'll have to stick to max 2008.

[Cockatoo 2,256]

Oh well, your only option other than sticking to 2008 is going to be getting more ram. It's pretty cheap and any idiot can install it. Upping it to 4GB with the 3GB switch on should give you ample power. Of course, it's up to you to decide if it's worth it.

[Amthaak 1,501]

Glare doesn't work in 2008. If you want to use it, you'll need to update your Max version.

It seems that glare works with my 2008...!

It's a test I made with max 2008 when I first worked on Peninsula nitelites, maybe it's because I was using bat4max4.5...!?

[Cockatoo 2,256]

That's strange. Every time I tried it (with BAT4Max 5), I got the same message as Emmotic did and no glare.

Perhaps it's just the glare button that doesn't work? Have you tried setting it up manually?

[MTT9 187]

I've managed somehow to make max2010 work. However, even if i press the glare button, it doesnt work. And the whole "setting it up manually" thing escapes my knoledge as i'm just learning about 3dsmax and actually use sketchup to model.

  Edited January 12, 2012 by emmotic  

[rottenart 1]

OK all, I'm hoping someone can help me out here...

I have followed all the installation instructions to a T: installed both gmax and 3ds max 2009 into my root folder (c:\), merged my scene with a brand new default scene, deleted TB2_Camera_Handle, and NOTHING seems to work. No matter what, I get a"couldn't find 'camera z5'" error. I've also tried setting the path to the camera rig scene correctly. It's very frustrating.

Additionally, every time I delete the Xref path and the TB2CameraHandle and try to redo the LTBT, it replaces them immediately. It makes no sense to me. I really, really want the ease of BAT4MAX but I wonder if I should reinstall and then install v4.5 instead? I should say that I'm a totally beginner when it comes to BATing, both with 3ds and gmax, so perhaps I don't have the details down for what I need to do...

Thanks for any help...

[Jasoncw 11,840]

The xref scene has the cameras in it, and the tb2camerahandle is "connected" to the xreffed scene. When you change the rotation, BAT4max rotates tb2camerahandle, thus rotating the camera rig. After you delete tb2camerahandle and remove the xreffed scene, once you press the bat4max buttons again it should set them back up again, but the hope is that when it sets them up again they get set up correctly. The error that you're getting is telling you that it can't find zoom 5's (the closest zoom's) camera. The cameras should be in the camera rig scene that is xreffed.

Since you've manually confirmed that the rig scene is correctly xreffed, try opening the camera rig scene itself to see if there are really cameras in it. I can only imagine there would be, but who knows.

[rottenart 1]

The xref scene has the cameras in it, and the tb2camerahandle is "connected" to the xreffed scene. When you change the rotation, BAT4max rotates tb2camerahandle, thus rotating the camera rig. After you delete tb2camerahandle and remove the xreffed scene, once you press the bat4max buttons again it should set them back up again, but the hope is that when it sets them up again they get set up correctly. The error that you're getting is telling you that it can't find zoom 5's (the closest zoom's) camera. The cameras should be in the camera rig scene that is xreffed.

Since you've manually confirmed that the rig scene is correctly xreffed, try opening the camera rig scene itself to see if there are really cameras in it. I can only imagine there would be, but who knows.

So, if I open the Xref'd scene and the camera is not there, then can I add it manually and save the scene? Or perhaps link to a different camera rig scene that does have it (I think I've seen like 4 with the same name..)? I'll try it, and let you know. Many thanks...

[rottenart 1]

So, I went to open the TB2Camera_Rig.max scene and it wouldn't even open up. I don't know if something I did corrupted it or what's up. I'm doing a complete uninstall and reinstall of 3ds max to try and fix the problem, but it's really bizarre.

I have another question: if I can't get BAT4MAX to work properly and decide to just create in 3ds, export as .3ds, then import into gmax, will there be big problems with the things that gmax can't do? I'm thinking like lighting and reflective textures, specifically, but I'm sure there's a whole host of bells and whistles that 3ds max has over gmax. I was really looking forward to the ease of exporting directly from 3ds max, but c'est la vie, non?

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Yeah, it sounds like that file was corrupt somehow. And if that one was maybe others were too and the installation didn't work right or something. Anyway, yeah if that's the case then reinstalling BAT4Max should fix it.

You can import things into gmax to export them for the game, but it doesn't really work unless you go through and readjust all the textures.

Here's my Scarab Club BAT, in its original 3ds Max form, and then imported into gmax. I didn't change any material settings from what was exported, which is why some of the plain colors are so dark in the gmax version.

Because of the lighting environment the colors are all very different. So if you used 3ds max in your workflow I would only use it for modeling and not texturing, because that's all that would transfer over in any meaningful way.

You can see though, that you really want to get BAT4max working, lol You can imagine if I adjusted the textures the gmax version would still be a good BAT but the 3ds max version is still a lot better