Artwork Plugins for MAX 2010?

[MaineLines]

I have begun work on a RailWorks version of my 40ft Boxcar using 3ds Max 2010, unfortunately the available Max 2009 plugins don't seem to work for 2010. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this?

Larry

[longbow]

RSC have said they have no plans to update the RW plug-in for 3ds 2010. I have heard that adapting plug-ins for new 3ds versions can be as simple as changing a header in the plug-in code, but I've no idea if that would work in this case.

If the plug-in can't be made to work I guess the only route into RW will be via another program with RW export capability ie 3D Canvas Pro or Blender.

Do let us know if you find a solution.

[MaineLines]

Thanks for the input longbow. That is dissapointing news since I much prefer texturing in Max rather than 3D Canvas.

[Derek]

Hi Larry,
I was told by kuju the plugins should work for 2010. I have not tried them yet, but I suspect they will, just have to get the files in the right place, and if there is a bug we will fix it.

regards

Derek

[MaineLines]

Thanks Derek,

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Larry

[Derek]

These are almost ready, can someone who has max2010 and is interested, pm me their email address please for some beta testing.

regards

Derek

[MaineLines]

PM sent

Larry

[MaineLines]

I installed the Beta plugins and Max2010 did not complain about them on startup, but still I could not get them to work on my system. It looks like maybe the educational version of Max that I have differs from the commercial version in the way that plugins are installed.

As a backup I have started looking at both Blender and 3D Canvas as means to apply the required Kuju materials and generate the .igs shape files.

Apparently Wavefront .obj is the preferred format for transferring Max files into Blender and I have been able to import both shape and textures successfully. Unfortunately smoothing is lost in the process. I have tried a Blender add-on script written in the Python language that is supposed to generate RailWorks .igs files. Unfortunately the script is apparently very sensitive about which version of Python you have installed on your machine, and so far I have been unable to find a combination of script and interpreter that works. There is another Blender utility for Railworks export in the works but not yet available.

I am now looking at 3D Canvas which I used years ago to import cabooses drawn in Rhino 3D into MSTS. So far I have been able to transfer via .obj from Max to Canvas (again maintaining the textures but loosing smoothing), apply the Kuju materials and export into the Railworks Asset Editor. I am currently trying to determine why the YZ directions get flipped on export to RailWorks.

I wish I could spend more time modelling and less time fiddleing.

[Sly]

Hi

I know it is probably not a lot of help, but I do have the 2010 plugins working without problem.

If there is a difference between the student and retail versions it will be a first as far as I know,

If I can help in any way.......... I am more than willing to help you through getting the plug ins installed and working...


Here is my install

Plug ins went in a kuju folder within the plugins folder
EG C:\ Program files| Autodesk\ 3DS Max 2010 \Plug ins \ kuju

plug in Cfg went in
c: Users\Paul\AppData\local\Autodesk\3dsmax \2010 32 bit \enu\plugcfg on a win 7 system

the plugin UserSettings file within the enu was edited to read

[Directories]
Additional MAX plug-ins=C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2010\PlugIns\Kuju
[Help]


Sly

[MaineLines]

Sly

Thanks very much for the help. My problem was that I could not find "AppData\local\Autodesk\3dsmax \2010 32 bit \enu\plugcfg" on my system. After reading your post it finally occured to me that this file might be hidden and that a standard Windows search would not find it.

Larry

[Derek]

Hi Larry, let us know how you get on.
Everyone I have sent it to says it works.
I will put it up on RS.com soon for all.

regards

Derek

[MaineLines]

Got it working. Was able to texture and export to the Asset Editor with the new plug-ins. Lighting is totally different than in Max but that is another task.

TruckinRW.jpg

[Sly]

Hi Mainlines

is that a max export or 3DC ?

Sly

[MaineLines]

Sly
That is a Max 2010 export with the default Kuju TexDiff material settings.

[MaineLines]

Re-exported in the correct size and with "export lights" unchecked and the results look better.