Which 3dmax do you want to use?

[SuperKungFu]

We know that ED plugins are for 3d max 7 and 8, and let's face it that software is getting a bit outdated. So I just want to hear from you guys, which 3dmax version should the next plugin support? version 9, 2008, 2009...etc?

[SuperKungFu]

I see a lot of people has voted for 2009, is that the current version people are running on now? Please don't pick it just because its the latest software- we want to get the vast majority.

[VireVolte_tigrou]

Blender !! :)

[golfsierra2]

I'll stay with Max 7 and 8, outdated or not. If you invested weeks to handle it, you don't easily change to a newer version were many menues have changed - see the different Windows versions for example.

 

And for the time being, Max 8 is doing fine for creating models for Lock-On / FC / BS.

 

Why change ??

[SuperKungFu]

This is for future purposes.

[Grimes]

Each of them are fine considering the poly tools havn't changed much in a while. I have noticed that these versions are much more stable than 7/8.

 

Max 2009 does include the Flight Studio Plugin for free with the software. I'm not sure if its useful at any level to ED, but it does add an extra file format for import/export. So that could be a plus.

 

Also I picked 09 because its what I have and what we use at school.

[SuperKungFu]

lol wow fancy school that they supplied the latest 3d max

[Dany90]

I would like a plugin for 2009 its more stable it has more tools than older versions and I have problems when exporting for older versions.

[MadMaxter]

I would have to agree with Volt. Blender is a powerful imaging program and can only grow more and more versatile. It is already being looked at by the MSFS community as a replacement for Gmax. A preliminary plugin has been written for FS infact.

 

Plus, 3ds Max is cost prohibitive in these hard economic times. Many talented modelers are denied the chance to import into games like Lockon, simply because they cannot afford ANY Max version.

 

Blender is free and open source, which makes it beneficial to the modeler and the game company. Licensing is covered and Blender can grow, even as DCS grows to support such cool effects as bumpmapping.

 

I use Blender. I am currently working on the following addon for MSFS. I considered putting it into LOMAC. However, it would have to be rehashed through Max and that only adds work to the model. I may do that in the future, but for now, this baby is going somewhere I can directly import it in for testing.

 

Here it is: Note: Completely done in Blender.

 

As you can see, the program is quite powerful and growing in popularity and capabilities.

 

Just something to consider.

 

Max

[MadMaxter]

Come to think of it, there is another reason I don't like 3dsMax. They come out with a new version every year that is only slightly different than the previous version. They could have easily provided patches or addon software that did the same thing at a much more affordable rate.

 

But every year, the latest and greatest, which is only slightly greater than the previous greatest, gets release for a whopping 3 thousand dollars. Not good. I don't like getting raped annually.

 

Sorry, but there is a better way. Let's put some talent on getting a blender lom exporter for DCS and LOFC.

 

Max

[VireVolte_tigrou]

I'm with you, dude !

[RED9R1pper]

Hi MadMaxter, where did you find those awesome plan views with profile dimensional drawings of the F-4B % N. I'm into modelling and could defo do with future images like that for working with.

 

Here's my current project near completion: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=40113

 

RED5|R1pper

http://www.virtualredarrows.com

[Aeroscout]

Blender FTW

[Grimes]

To each their own. If school taught me Maya, Softimage, or Cinema 4D I'd be suggesting them for a plugin too.

 

But I do see your point. Honestly the more plugins the better, especially if you get one for a free app. Many more modelers would be interested in modding the game.

[MadMaxter]

Blender FTW

 

what is FTW?

 

Max

[MadMaxter]

Hi MadMaxter, where did you find those awesome plan views with profile dimensional drawings of the F-4B % N. I'm into modelling and could defo do with future images like that for working with.

 

Here's my current project near completion: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=40113

 

RED5|R1pper

www.virtualredarrows.com

 

Good work on that Hawk, Ripper. I pmed you the addy for the plans that I used for the Phantom.

 

Perhaps we can help each other, since I will need some help when I export to max and begin materials, animations, and LOM export.

 

Good luck to you.

 

Max

[Grimes]

what is FTW?

 

Max

 

 

for the win.

 

Generally means the subject of the sentence has large quantities of "epic" and "win"

[MadMaxter]

PHEW! thought it was wtf backwards... lol

 

Seriously though, watch for Tigrou's release of his gripen as the first example of what can be done in blender. I can't wait to see it myself.

 

Max

[empeck]

It would be nice to have some kind of converter from other formats. I don't know how complicated is developement for LockOn or DCS, so I don't know if it would be possible to make an application that loads one of the standard 3d format (obj, collada, fbx...), and converts it to internal LO/DCS format.

 

There are many people who make planes to other sims, and they just can't afford 3dsMAX, so they are using freeware and cheap alternatives like Blender, 3dCanvas, Softimage ModTool, and many more. Most of them have enough tools to make a complicated 3d models for a simulator/game.

[luckybob9]

Guys, dont forget that it probably took a long time and a lot of money to create the initial plugins for max. Reworking them somewhat so they work with a newer version of max is far easier that creating an entire new set of plugins from scratch.

[VireVolte_tigrou]

Empeck's solution looks perfect ! :)

[empeck]

Guys, dont forget that it probably took a long time and a lot of money to create the initial plugins for max. Reworking them somewhat so they work with a newer version of max is far easier that creating an entire new set of plugins from scratch.

 

I know that. But alternative 3d software may bring more modders to LO/DCS communities.

 

There is a train simulator called Rail Simulator, it comes with 3dsMAX plugins too, but Rail Simulator devs have been working with 3dCanvas (a cheap 3d software) author on exporter, and right now you can make 3d objects (scenery, wagons and locomotives) for Rail Simulator with 3dsMAX, and 3dCanvas. It's great solution for those who can't afford 3dsMAX.

[VireVolte_tigrou]

In the same way, Condor simulator provides an exe which converts 3ds files to condor files. A good way to follow. :)

[joey45]

im trying to get my head round blender first....

 

not everyone can aford these high class 3D programs.

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

WOW, that Blender stuff .... I went to Amazon to check on books. There is dozens of books on Blender animation, drawings ....

 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw_1_7?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=blender+3d&sprefix=blender