BAT4Max v.5

[mntoes 270]

Can anyone help please?

I have an installation problem.

I am running windows 7 64 bit OS.

Gmax is istalled in the default directory "c:gmax" Bat is also installed "c:gmax/gamepacks/bat.

When I run the install script (3DS Max 2012 installed in the default location) i receive this error report

Edit:- sorry should have read the instalation instructions further!

  Edited May 13, 2012 by mntoes  

[gutterclub 2,729]

A question of HD.

As far as I understand Zoom 6 was created at the expense of Zoom 5, is there, or would there be anyway(in future releases or change to script) to sacrafice Zoom 1 at the expense of Zoom 6 instead of Z5?

[Cockatoo 2,256]

No, I don't think that'd be possible.

Zoom 6 is a blown-up zoom 5 under regular conditions. HD works by switching that around, making zoom 5 shrunk-down zoom 6. So this technique only allows us to mess with 5 and 6, not the other 4. People always say that HD buildings look horrible at z5, but I tend to disagree. If you want to show extra detail at z6 on a smaller building, I'd say go for it.

[alt 21]

Hello fellow 3ds BAT artists, this is a detailed 3ds max/bat4max 5 "Exporting LODS" and Export to SC4MODEL File guide for anyone that was confused like me.

- If this is the wrong way to do this or if there is a simpler way please PM me to let me know and I will take this down but it did work for me.

Requirements:

-3ds Max 7 or newer up to 3dsmax 2013 (That I know of)

-Gmax with SC4 B.A.T plugin

- BAT4Max 5

- SimCity 4 Rush Hour or Deluxe Edition

-*Patience

Step 1

Create your LODs for your scene (automatic or custom) in the LODS rollout (you will find these options in the utilities rollout in the command bar). Once created go to the “Export Sequence” rollout and click the "Export LODS" button. From there it will export your LODs from your scene as “yourMaxFileName.3ds” to location; C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT.

Step 2

Now before you get hasty and click the "DayExport" or "NiteExport" button. You first have to open up Gmax-sc4 bat ( Do Not load A Scene, as you want this scene to be empty) from here go to the "file" dropdown in the main menu bar (top left hand corner) and scroll down and click on the "Import" option. When the "Select File to Import" window opens up go to "C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT" (Make sure that the “files of type” dropdown is set to "3D Studio Mesh (*.3DS,*.PRJ)" so that you can select your 3ds file), from there find your “MaxFileName.3ds” file, select it and hit "Open". At this point the "3DS Import” window will open up and you will want to deselect "Convert units" then select "Completely replace current scene" and hit "OK". You should now see your LODS in the scene. From here go to the Utilities rollout in the command panel and click on “B.A.T.” from there find the “Export” rollout and select the quality of the export, then click the ”Export” button.

Your SC4MODEL File is now created!

Step 3

The only thing left to do now is to open up 3ds max, load your scene, then head for the “Select Target Model” button in the “Export Sequence” rollout (in the utilities command bar), then select your “MaxFileName.SC4MODEL" File and click “Open”. Now you can finally select your export of choice (“DayExport” or “NiteExport”) and click away.

You have now successfully exported your scene out of 3ds max into a SC4MODEL File to be seen in game!

[WC_EEND 9]

I ran into an issue, I downloaded BAT4MAX from the STEX, unzipped it and ended up with an .mzf file (whatever the hell that is). Is this normal as I seem to recall this not being the case for previous BAT4MAX versions.

[mntoes 270]

WC_EEND Its a script file. Check-out page one for the complete insatallation instructions. But here is the bit about how to run the script file:-

4. In the menu select MaxScript -> Run Script and navigate to the location you have unzipped downloaded archive (see #2) and select BAT4Max5_Installer.mzp and follow on-screen instructions.

(you may find yoy need to run it as an administrator)

Regards

Mntoes

  Edited June 13, 2012 by mntoes  

[WC_EEND 9]

^^ Thanks

[RagtimeMan1888 0]

I have the 2012 version of 3dsMax, and am trying to export a fairly large building (about 300k polygons). I exported the LODs into gmax and created a SC4model file with them, and did a Day Export using that file. Since the building was bigger than anything I did before, I assumed it would take a while to render all the views, and let it run overnight. The first view that shows up is a zoom 4 view, but when I check on progress the next morning, the renderer still shows that view, with the progress bar at the bottom staying at around 17%. Is there something that's not going right, or is this just how the export process normally goes, and I have to give it more time?

[harishna 847]

rendering times are affected by the number of polys but also depend on other factors like the size of the model and materials applied, as well as how good is your machine...haven say that the first view should be zoom 5 not zoom 4, and if it gets stuck at 17% well it probably means it got stuck, did it render the first view completely?

  Edited June 30, 2012 by harishna  

[RagtimeMan1888 0]

The first view was complete, except that it appeared kind of pixelated. My computer has 8 GB of RAM and an AMD A8-3500M Processor and is running Windows 7.

[mave94 14]

While installing the BAT4MAX script I got this message:

I have the latest version of 3ds max (2013) installed, so I assume the nightlights of bat4max might not be compatible with 3ds max 2013 yet?

  Edited August 1, 2012 by MrMAvE94  

[Odainsaker 2,134]

You need not worry over that message. It is indicating that the Maxis night light textures and buttons that are a legacy from the gmax BAT gamepack are not compatible with Bat4Max. All versions of Bat4Max allow for superior nightlighting techniques anyway, so you will not need these old features.

  Edited August 1, 2012 by Odainsaker  

[mave94 14]

OK, thanks. I have got another question.

Is there a way to render objects with a modifier from the World Space Modifier ? It says that it is not able to render a WSM.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I'd have to check which ones, but some things can't be rendered with an orthographic camera, they need a perspective camera. Which modifier are you trying to use?

[mave94 14]

I am trying to use the Hair and fur modifier to make realistic grass.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Yeah, the hair and fur modifier only works in perspective.

You can search google for "grass mental ray" or something like that to find tutorials about making grass.

Although unless it's tall grass, you would get much better results using a texture. Grass is so small and thin that everything that happens (the blades, the shadows they cast, the sense of depth from the top of the grass to the soil, etc.) happens at a scale smaller than a pixel, and your result will just be a big flat, maybe blotchy looking green area. It will look horrible.

[mave94 14]

Thank you for the quick response. I was trying to make a ditch, which has generally tall grass next to it. I have already tried applying a grass texture to the edges, but it didn't give me the result I wanted. I could try to make the surface more irregular and so creating a tall grass affect. I will see what I will do. Thanks for the help.

[unrisenstar 43]

I have a problem with a preview - it's rendering the image but i have to zoom in a couple of times to see the building, any ideas what the problem is? To me it seems like something with camera settings.

I have installed max on different partition than gmax, version of 3dmax 2010 64/Windows 7

edited:

Camera Z5 looks like Z1 in gmax or it shows things even further

Ok - I've found out what was the problem - I had grid set to 1m, now when it is 10m it looks ok.

  Edited October 2, 2012 by unrisenstar  

[siso43 13]

a question what is better, the simcity4 bat or the 3ds max to creating buildings or somthing else, for simcity4?

[harishna 847]

The BAT tool is a plugin for gmax, gmax is an old, out of date, limited version of 3ds max. Indeed you can create awesome content with gmax however 3ds max gives you more tools and better lighting, materials and renders.

[adityagusetyawan 85]

I've installed for 3Ds Max 2013, and i also wanna install BAT4Max 5. But i failed to install it. Maybe anyone could give me a solution for it ?

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Reading the contents of the pop-up box, it doesn't look like anything is wrong.

[adityagusetyawan 85]

Reading the contents of the pop-up box, it doesn't look like anything is wrong.

Yes, firstly i think it doesn't anything wrong, but after i clicked "OK", appeared this "error" messages

[Cockatoo 2,256]

^ Are you running Max as an administrator? Programs can't copy stuff to program files unless you are.

[adityagusetyawan 85]

- Cockatoo = Yes, i did it. How can I do to solve it ?

[Cockatoo 2,256]

Right click 3dsMax on your desktop > run as administrator. Then try to install BAT4Max again.

[adityagusetyawan 85]

- Cockatoo : Yeah, it works well. Thank you very much. It appears box to select the plugin folder. Must i place it in C/program files/maxis/simcity 4 deluxe edition/plugins or i can place it everywhere ?

[Cockatoo 2,256]

No, select your C:\...\My Documents\SimCity 4\ Plugins folder. The same place you install custom content to.

If you select the program files plugins folder, you'll run into more problems.

[adityagusetyawan 85]

No, select your C:\...\My Documents\SimCity 4\ Plugins folder. The same place you install custom content to.

If you select the program files plugins folder, you'll run into more problems.

OK, thank you very much Sir Cockatoo. It's really help me. Nice to know you Greetings from Indonesia

[art128 4,618]

So I installed 3dsMax 7, tried to install bat4max but got this error:

I have 3dsmax installed in c/3dsmax7 and gmax in c/gmax with gamepack and all.

What is wrong?