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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!

I have a some what large, detailed mid-rise building model that I have created in Gmax. I exported it as a MD3 file and converted it with deep exploration to a obj file. I have successfully imported it into 3ds 2010 with little problems but when I try to preview it in day it almost burns out my quad core and my memory and doing so at a snails pace and that's only when it is computing final gather points. Ultimately I have to cancel the rendering. I am relatively new to 3ds max; the mental ray setup for day preview just cannot render my scene. I have been messing around in render setup (F10) :mental ray Renderer-> indirect illumination a bit, I enabled final gather and set the FG precision presets to draft. This did help a little bit it got past cfgp and it started to render but my processor still runs at 100% and the render takes 20min. Has anyone else had this problem? If anyone could suggest a possible fix for this issue you would make my day. Solution : When Importing the obj file into 3ds max deselect "import materials" Go figure lol. It also helps to deselect "Flip ZY-axis". If Anyone in the future has this problem, this will likely be your solution. Happy bating

*Thank you! 10/10*

Keep up the great work. If you have time one of these days you should create a post with links to all the bats and lots used in your cities, that is asking a lot I know. Looking forward to your next update and replies.

I would like to make a request for a bat tutorial on bating high-rise towers Co or Res it doesn’t matter. I see so many beautiful high-rises and I get discouraged when I think; how did they bat that? I do have a vague idea of how to go about it but I would rather get off on the right foot so that I can do it right the first time. I am sure I am not alone in this. I would $ PAY.00 for it if I had too. Thank you in advance.

The Bat essentials tutorials are missing pages, every time you click on the pages you get directed to Omnibus not the Bat essential pages. Can anyone help me? Thank you in advance. I think this happend after the recent update to the site.

The Bat essentials tutorials are missing pages, every time you click on the pages you get directed to Omnibus not the Bat essentials pages. Can anyone help me? Thank you in advance. I think this happened after the recent update to the site.