I thought the worst limit for the 3DS format was 65K polygons max?

-Will

Hi Will,

>>I thought the worst limit for the 3DS format was 65K polygons max?

For a single mesh yes. But not for file size. If the mesh size of 65K is reached then the mesh will be split. (the last 3ds file size output I made was 63mb)


- manz

I can't believe Autodesk hasn't done something to fix this. It's laughable at this point... I'm guessing that Max also triangulates your mesh?

jonah



>>If the mesh size of 65K is reached then the mesh will be split. (the last 3ds file size output I made was 63mb)

Hi Jonah - well .3ds is a legacy format, it is the format from the old DOS version of 3D Studio. 3D Studio "Max" does not use it as its primary file format.

The .3ds format itself hasn't changed in like 15 years or so.

Really the biggest problem with it is that it does not support vertex normals for shading.

- Michael

WOW!
Thanks for all that info.
It all clears up that "I wonder if I should" that builds up in the mind.
Brian

Ahhh. I see. So what's the deal with their current primary format? No other software is able to I/O that one?

jonah

Hi Jonah,

> Ahhh. I see. So what's the deal with their current primary format?
> No other software is able to I/O that one?

They've never documented their primary format.

Basically they set it up as just a container for plug-in data, and plug-ins do all the work reading and writing stuff to the file. So they claim that you can't read the format without the plugins running, that's basically the excuse anyway.

It's a somewhat valid excuse for some things, but also somewhat bogus as well, because there are some common standard plugins that ship with Max which provide basic mesh objects and stuff like that. So it would certainly be possible for them to document at least a core set of information.

But they heavily advise people to write plug-ins to run inside of Max to deal with .max files instead of supporting anyone trying to read or write the format from an external application. So that's what everyone does.

- Michael

Interesting and surprisingly unsurprising. I see no advantage to this, except to keep people using Max... :\

update:-

Hi Steve, it's looking great - now it's got enough details that it looks very real.

The higher res screenshots are a lot lighter and look nice.

- Michael

WOW Steve - Nice model !

I'm really looking forward to seeing it rendered in Carrara if thats your plan ?

All the best,

Hi Michael,

>>it's looking great - now it's got enough details that it looks very real.

Thanks, it is getting there.

>>The higher res screenshots are a lot lighter and look nice.

I have been changing the default colors. It does save quite a bit of time taking the high res image directly in MoI, rather than having to mess around exporting/importing/ setting scene etc etc in a renderer.


- manz

Hi Paul,

Thanks

>>I'm really looking forward to seeing it rendered in Carrara if thats your plan ?

Yes, but I was also thinking of maybe giving it a try in Bryce, as I may add a tree or 2, and I like the trees in Bryce.


By the way, I know you have been playing with Carrara6 pro, just wondering if you have seen the current offer at DAZ. You can get Carrara6 pro/ Hexagon/ Bryce and other software, all for $200 (about £100). http://forum.daz3d.com/viewtopic.php?t=84695


- manz

That model is looking really great - hella inspiring, BRAVO!

-Will

Hi Steve,

I'm sure whatever package you use the result will certainly have the WOW factor !

Thanks for the tip with Daz the package does look impressive for the price. I'm finding it hard at the minute with time to play in Carrara
my needs as a renderer are straight forward compared to most..I just want a simple scene and the ability to replace a model every time?

I'll look out on this forum for your Villa....If this is something you're having built im guessing its not here in the UK..LOL.

Keep smilin'

Hi Paul,

>>my needs as a renderer are straight forward compared to most..I just want a simple scene and the ability to replace a model every time?

Do you really need a renderer then?
If for example you just want a clean simple output for presentation, then why not simply use the high res output directly from MoI, it is what I have been using for the images I have recently posted to thread. (the color of model etc can be changed in the MoI ini file)

Info for high res capture http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=1049.5
Currently I have it set as 3200 x 2400, then I reduce in graphics program down to 800 x 600

- manz

Another update.

Not much more to do now.

India song ;)
It's free for listening ;)
http://www.deezer.com/#music/result/india%20song

Hi Pilou,

India song? Sorry, I did not stay at the site you link to, due to attempted redirects from that site to "Valueclick"

If you are referring to Indian music (for whatever reason) then I admit little knowledge, but, I do like a lot of the remixes of western + Indian music that is about now.

- manz

it was more like that , and the mythic music of Carlos d'Alessio (this link must work)
http://lioulilliehook.vox.com/library/video/6a00e398cc6521000200f48d01b8ff0001.html
Similar mood that your architecture :exotic romantic bluesy :)