3D Studio Max BAT Version 2 Released !!

[Ryanr 15]

Well after not playing with this for a month or so I decided to take another go at it. I still can't seem to get it to work. Everything seems to work fine until I add night lights. I've tried to see if it it happens at a certain number of lighst , and it seems that it is fine until 30 enabled lights. Yet sometimes it fails with 30, and sometimes it works with 30. The only thing that is constant with the failures is that it renders zoom 5 and 4 then fails. I'm wondering if it is just something wierd I am doing. Can someone else try and render the model for me. So I know if it is the model screwing things up or my install is. The model can be found here .
Thanks

[joerg 278]

Ive been playing around alittle with 3ds and the bat today, and ive ran into 2 problems. 

 

Ok first let me say that this whole thing is amazing and you guys deserve a huge pat on the back for this.

 

Anyways onto the problems first is that i cant seem to figure preview out. I can change the rotation and the zoom but i cant click the night or day buttons. So all i have been able to do is use the acctual 3ds renders and not the bat but doing this i have no idea how to get nigh lights to work.

 

Next problem is that i cant seem to get the batch cmd commands to work right. I rendered my lods in gmax then pasted the model name in the export pannel. After the render was done i went down to batch cmd and clicked fsh batch build wish seems to work. Now in my output files dir i have a folder for the model and about 100 folders with in it aswell as some tgi files and each folder has a bmp and an alpha aswell as a fsh file. Next is where i run into some problems. I click the Dat fsh insert button and it says that fsh files are created after rendering. I dont have autoexecute selected so i dont understand what its telling me. I then opened the model in dat gen and all the textures are still black.

[aothe 20]

Well, i m still messing with 3Dmax6 but ... that is my methode ( probably not the best)
1

[dudyconstructor 40]

where can i download BAT for 3D studio Max?

[Ryanr 15]

You can find it in the mods section.

I've given up hope for now. Bat for Max seems to have a mind of it's own. I can't seem to get it working with night lights no matter what I do. Maybe by some act of god I'll be able to figure out a pattern, or it will magicly fix itself.

[aothe 20]

So finaly ... after a loooong time passed to Renderer/Destroye few attempt.. i got one ... (just an excuse to play with transparency; reflexion, Chrome effect etc.. and all the Powerfull Options)

 

 

 

it looks like this ingame...

 

 

And  The Must .. i have found (i think) the problem with the Red_Blue_Green square ...  in fact like i m terrorized by the utilistaion of Deltree.exe ... heheh i delete all the file manualy ... except those create by Insert dat ... so now i delete them too and till now each attempt are Ok !!  )

 

[dudyconstructor 40]

i had a problem that 3D studio Max couldn't open my BAT project

i saved as .3DS didn't work i attempted to open saving as plasma didn't work

i dunno if i installed BAT for 3D max right but i got frustrated and i unintalled it

i spent 1 hours trying to do things but it was a waste!

[aothe 20]

You need a programe named Deep Explorer to export your Gmax files into m3d files .. and then in 3Ds ...  But the best is to forgot your old  Gmax project and start new project with 3DMax6 ..

(personal meaning).

 

Edit: U can try the file include with the patch BatformaxV2, there is a zip named

M3Dimp.zip,  exctract the file in you Max plugin.

 

It doesnt work for me,  maybe cause the Sub language asking is  English_Us and not French so i got an Error message ..cant load **.dli  Error Code127.

 

Someone know a tips on How to import M3d in  Max6 ? Thnx ?

 

[dudyconstructor 40]

i guess i will export my project in GMAX BAT because i can't and i don't have time to start all over again.

[Djohaal 121]

I got some questions:

1: my windows XP pro came from the store with it installed, so I don't havew the deltree.exe, I would like to know if the dangers of using the deltree included in the zip of BAT, are them dangers due to itself being an 98-edition deltree or becuase the part that goes in the front of the pc (aka human) is not experienced with MS-DOS (in my case I know how to use dos)

2: I need to put the deltree into the folder where BAT is, right? (in the readme it was not very well explained

3: if I don't have deltree, will just I get a mess of files in my plugins folder or the render may not work

and finally 4:

4: can I make a containement folder for my BAT, eg, the target of the plugins folder would be somewhere else, in D:\BAT stuff\ for example, and then I would (after making everything) just copy the .sc4model into the plugins folder.....

Thanks in advice

[couchpotato 8]

Props created with MaxtoBat don't throw shadows.   Is there someway to change the lighting rig script and fix this?   The shadows are missing in GMax too.  

[xannepan 513]

Couchpotato; did you set the Isgroundmodel to TRUE in the plugin manager? If not, that may be the cause of the missing shadows.

[joerg 278]

Hey guys im still not able to preview anything and i cant seem to get the images to load into the sc4model files either. See above post. Sorry to post this again but it seems to be ignored and im quite a ways into a large 3ds project. With out the ability to preview nightlighting though im stuck and past that i wont even be able to get it into the game.

[couchpotato 8]

Thanks xannepan.   And no, its not set to true.  Bummer.   I have a ton of props out there without shadows.   Never even saw that little setting.

 

Joerg.  There is no night preview in CycleDogg's program.   It's on the list of improvements to make.  Once in the Reader, remove the old fsh files and then click to insert/compress new ones.   Choose the new fsh files that don't have a TGI extension and hit enter.  They should all import into the Reader.  While still in the Reader, check your new fsh files and make sure they look OK.   It actually sounds like everything is going well except the building didn't render ok.     

[KCtheDestroyer 14]

He..
This is really great work you did guys/girl(s). Im a $%&^! at modding, but I read you can work with the model file itself. Is it posible to create a moving prop that way? (or just motion within the prop?) Like a scrolling text on an infoboard (thinkng about Time [], NYC)?
For the rest... I dont have any things to add.. Im going through the tutorials first... Get back to comments on the B4M later. Hope I can make some Nice Neon letters for my Van Lanschot Tower

[JohnB 66]

I have a question why does it say that I need deltree.exe in order to install bat for 3ds max? I know that deltree.exe is used to wipe out your windows. I dont wanna use it unless I know why I need it.
Thanks.

[xannepan 513]

Hi people. I tried to use 3dsmax on my new cathedral. But I need some more info on how to export a gmax model to 3ds max. Hre's what I've done sofar

 

1) export to M3D

2) open it in 3d-exploration

3) export to 3ds

4) import in 3dsmax (version 6)

 

Now step 3 has a lot of options.. does anyone know which options are the best to use?

Step 4 often gives errors in some .cpp file... Sometimes it works but in that case unfortunately all objects are converted into editable meshes, even though in gmax I have use mostely splines with extrude and editable mesh modifiers. The result is that the 3dsmax6 file has a filezize 10 times bigger then the original gmax file and I'm not able to handle  it anymore in 3dsmax6.

 

-than(x)annepan

 

 

 

 

[couchpotato 8]

I don't think anyone has exported GMax to 3ds.   Also, when I export 3ds max files into GMax, they are always converted into editable meshes.  Did you try freezing your model in Max. 

Edit:  downloaded a plugin to export to m3d and already have Deep Exploration.   Converted the JENXCornerBuilding from GMax to 3ds Max with no problems.  All textures are removed but the model comes out great. 

[JohnB 66]

I have converted my cacti into 3ds max format. Its an easy process really.
First, go to the following link http://www.dsmith.gmaxsupport.com/downloaditems/md3exp.zip
and download the .md3 exporter. Unzip this and put it in the stdplugs folder C:\gmax\stdplugs
This will allow you to export in .md3 format.
Just export in gmax and select .md3
Next,go to this link http://www.righthemisphere.com/support/downloads/download.php
and fill out the order form and select Deep Exploration for the product name. Be sure to give the correct email. Then in about 5 minutes(I dont know it was 5 minutes for me)you will recieve a confirmation email with the link to the download site. You can also try to go this direct link, but it might not work unless they send you an official email.
Also try this direct link, it might work
Anyway download Deep Exploration and install it. After you exported your model in .md3 format, run Deep Exploration and open your .md3 model. The model will be located in the folder you saved it when you exported in Gmax. After opening the model in Deep Exploration you should be able to see the model in the 3d interface, and also the number of Vertices,faces, etc..
Then all you need to do is, go to Save as in Deep Exploration and select the 3DS MAX DCOM (*.max)
and then save the model. After that it will bring up a menu
3DS MAX DCOM Export Properties. Dont touch anything on the menu, unless you think you need to. I have changed some settings one time and it did not make any difference.
After that it will probably bring up an install MAX DCOM plugin menu. Just click on auto install. If the install fails, go to manual install instructions and follow them. The plugin already comes with 3ds max, but it asks to install it anyway.(At least it did for me) If it doesn't ask to install the plugin, then 3ds max will open and sorta freeze for a while. Just wait for about a minute. Then close Deep Exploration and 3ds max will automatically close also.
After that you can open the model in 3ds max.
Important: When you export in Gmax,the textures will not be saved in your model. Also some of the fine details might be lost when you open your model in 3ds max. For example my cactus was an extruded star shape and it turned out kinda smooth after opening it in 3ds max. This might not happen to your model. I dont know. Try it and see.
Good Luck!!!!
Johnb

[r3b00t 42]

Any way to render without gmax? Gmax won't run on my computer, since they are with turbosquid of whatever gmax doens't run anymore, giving errors etc. So I can only use 3dsm, and it would be a shame that I won't be able to render my props.

[JohnB 66]

Date:7/17/2004 6:33:14 PM
Author:aothe

Well, i have just installed the trial version of 3Dmax6 plus the BatformawV2.
i got my eyes scotched to the screen and the BatForMaxInstruction.txt... i did everything correctly ( modification of the differentes *.ini, moving the 2 files from the ..atscriptstartup to the 3dmax6scriptstartup... Installation of the Deltree.exe in the Bat directory ...

 

I have create a simple square with 3Dmax to have the LODs... i have selected them and only them and 'save the selected in 3ds format.

 

I have Imported the *.3ds file with Gmax and got a *.SC4Model in my plugins folder, so i found the file .. F2... Ctrl+C and so ...

 

I have reopened 3Dsmax6, i have reopen my model (the simple square create with 3DSmax), i have selcted the Hammer icon and 'Export' menu... i did a brave  Ctrl+V in the box under SC4Model Name... and ... and ...

 

Poof!

 

Maxscript error: *.SC4Model cannot be found in the plugin directory C:Documents and SettingsaotheMes documentsSimcity 4Plugins.

Please check the path SC4PluginPath=in the BATFORMAX.INI and the Model Filename is correct.

So... ) i have re re re re check everythings ... and everything is fine..

 

Can you help please ? 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

quote>

I have the same exact problem as aothe, except that putting a backslash at the end of the word plugins in the .ini file did not solve my problem. I have followed the instructions perfectly. I have reinstalled 3ds max and bat for max 3 times and all 3 times it did not work. I tried all kinds of things, that I thought might be responsible for this error, but nothing works. Below are some pictures that might help you in figuring out what my problem is.

Yup i have tried, my *.3ds file is named: test2.3ds,
My Gmax exported file is named:
 
test2-0x5ad0e817_0x6deff8fd_0x530000.sc4 model
 nothing strange in it i think ...

My Plugins folder path is C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins

The path in the *.ini is :C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\

It makes no sense why I would get this error. Please Help

[Equinox 1,209]

Problem time! I made my model, i followed the intructions, but i cant render my lods. It stops at 13 % and goes white screen, like so:

 

I can leave it for hours and it will not render, and its only quite small, about 4x2. any suggestions guys?

[rafarivera 17]

Hey all... I also have problems when rendering using the night light textures option... and yup, when it's over 30....   but still I'd rather work on 3ds 10000 times than on gmax, waayy more stable and fast    guess I'll have to leave my 3ds projects without nightlights haha

 

 

edit:   I can now render successfully using omnis, spots, target, whatev... but not maxis-style window lights...  

[sunsp0t1 0]

I'll be rendering my first BAT in about a week or so. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for all your effort.

[joerg 278]

Ok i just got my Sun Dome project rendered although i still cant figure out how to get my fsh files into the sc4 mode. The bat created a batch file to do that but the batch file isnt working when i click on it. So im kind of stumped. I know all the file names are correct and the fsh files are there aswell as the sc4model file in my plugins folder but i cant get the fsh files into the model file. As for doing it manually i havent tried nor do i intend to as there are around 400 fsh files i would have to import.

[JohnB 66]

I am sorry to rush you guys, but i have posted this message a week ago and no one helped me yet. Someone please help. I am making something cool that will be a first in sc4 but I need bat for max to work. 

[sunsp0t1 0]

 

Date:8/23/2004 12:57:13 AM
Author:JohnB

I am sorry to rush you guys, but i have posted this message a week ago and no one helped me yet. Someone please help. I am making something cool that will be a first in sc4 but I need bat for max to work. 

quote>

The same thing happened to me. I am NO expert at this, but maybe what caused my error message is what's causing yours. When you copy the new .model file in your C:\  *** My Documents\SimCity4\plugins to paste into 3ds max BAT, are you copying the .model extension, as well? I know this is silly advice, but I can't think of anything else. Your filenames are either not identical, you've changed the filename format of the gmax export, or your paths in the .ini files are wrong.

Good luck. 

[sunsp0t1 0]

I just finished my first test BAT (first BAT ever) and I haven't really had a major problem. Once, max quit half way through a render, but I refitted the LODs and the render was fine after that. I do need to make sure the Output folder is emptied after rendering, remove the meshes, etc., but otherwise everything works great. I don't think I'd be able to BAT on my dinky laptop without help. Thanks. BTW this render had 500 000 polys and took 19 minutes. Yes, it's a glossy lump.

 

  

 

OK-- it is so way late, in fact, it's now morning. I've been up all night trying to figure out how to get nightlights to work. As I was about to dispair sometime around 730 I figured it out! Or at least one way for one type of lighting. And then you know what? The bl**dy thing wont show up in the game and only shows in the left panel of lot editor.  Aargh!  Does anyone have a quick answer to this problem? (It's probably earlier in this thread and I'll backtrack and see.) I have bldgprop V 1&2 etc...

 

BTW. I'm removing files after all is done w/out deltree. Could this be a problem?

 

EDIT: *giggle* it's supposed to only show up on one side of Lot Editor isn't it? Still, the BAT won't show in-game.

[JohnB 66]

I have solved my problem. 3ds max rendered my object perfectly. It seems that my problem was that I had the Hide file extensions for known files option selected and had theshow hidden files and folders option selected in the folder options in windows explorer. That is why I did not have the .sc4 model at the end of my file. That was the main problem. Wow  bat for 3ds max is very sensitive to even the slightest change you have in windows explorer. Thanks a ton to all the people who helped me.

[oppie 487]

There's a bug in the nightlighting system, as I recently found out when rendering the night lighting for my first 3ds max BAT project: The Firenze Duomo. I first tested the night lighting on the small battistero building which I exported as a prop (it's smaller so it renders more quickly). Anyhoo, as you can see the nightlighting is quite overdone. I tried lowering the 'multiplier' to a value as low as 0,1, but it still gave the same result.