Texture blurring

[Hawk]

I'm having a bit of a situation that I can't quite figure out.
A texture applied to a single face gets kind of blurry at most angles, but looks fine straight on.



Talking with another developer, apparently it has to do with mip error bias but this developer uses 3DMax and I'm using 3DC so he couldn't tell me how to set it.

I've searched the 3DC forums and a couple of other forums and the only thing I've found was that it needs to be adjusted in the GeoPcDx file instead of within 3DC.
Apparently you can open a GeoPcDx file using RS Tools Pro but is there another way to adjust this in 3DC that I'm missing?
Is there a way to open a GeoPcDx file without RS Tools Pro?

[inc3pt]

I started a thread over at ts a bit ago that hopefully can be of some assistance to you:

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/showth ... p?t=285331

I would copy the relevant parts over here but I can't say for sure what all could help.

[Hawk]

Well, I know it's not LOD's so how do I edit the GeoPcDx file? Is RS Tools Pro the only way to open it?

[Hawk]

Apparently there's a new update to 3DC only for Trainworks users that apparently handles the setting of the mip error bias. I'll probably download it and give it a try.

[Bananarama]

Isn't there a way of setting the error bias for textures within 3D Canvas?

[rgarber]

I dunno but I wished I started working with 3D Canvas sooner... I'd have 3D Studio Max by now...

[Hawk]

Isn't there a way of setting the error bias for textures within 3D Canvas?

If there is I haven't found it yet, and from what I've read at other forums the answer is no, but apparently that setting is available in the latest Trainworks release of 3DC. I'll most likely install that today and see what happens.

[Hawk]

Whelp, I got the new version installed and there's no difference. Still get the blurring.

Back to the previous question; how do you edit a GeoPcDx file? What do you use to open it?

On another note; Anyone got about $3k laying around they don't need? Maybe 3D Studio Max will allow me the options to achieve the perfection I so desire.

[Capt_Scarlet]

I think that file can be opened by RW tools but don't quote me.

John

[Hawk]

What about RS Tools?

[Capt_Scarlet]

What about RS Tools?

Yep, that too, but don't ask me how as I dont have a clue but have a look in the RS tools help files, it is mentioned there on how to open them.

John

[Hawk]

OK!
Guess I'll have to go download RS Tools.

[longbow]

RS Tools will probably work for file editing but best to donate a few well deserved bucks to Mike Simpson and get RW Tools instead. For RW file editing there's also a freeware tool called KRS Bin Convert which allows you to use a third party script editor such as ConTEXT.

The default settings for 3DC are supposed to be -3 for main texture (ie blurs slowly), -1 for bump maps and 0 for everything else although all my models seem to have values of 0, which leads to noticeable blurring on anything with large lettering. As far as I know you can't alter the default settings inside 3DC.

Omce you have the GeoPcDx file open in RW Tools, search for the MipLodBias for the relevant texture and try lowering this to -1 or -2. Use this sparingly as lower settings take more computer power and can have undesired side effects such as shimmering.

[Hawk]

If RS Tools can do it, then that's what I'll have to use. I don't have RW, only RS.