|
Post by Mebyon on Mar 2, 2004 13:50:43 GMT -5
I've just managed to get a copy of 3ds max 4 from a local lad who "just couldn't be having with all that complexity!" I went to a splendid site to download some of their free training videos: sv2.3dbuzz.com/There is some really useful stuff on the site and it's all free, BUT........ 1. You need a fast line to get the videos, (some are 70Mb and have a play time of over an hour) 2. You need to download a free copy of DivX to decode and play the videos and the free version results in you having Gator Ad software installed so you have the dubious pleasure of receiving loads of advertisments! (Actually I think I've screwed that little scheme by denying access to Gator through my firewall; but I only did that out of pique, see item 3 below!) and 3. You can only get the first set of videos. Then they insist that you earn 'a star' to be allowed to download any more. You earn a star by mooging about on their site, posting advice to people who are trying to learn 3ds, (hang on, I'm on the site because I want to learn!) It seems almost impossible to get a star, there are people who have made over 800 posts and they still haven't been awarded the magic star! And no, you can't then offer to pay for the remaining lessons because, wait for it, they're FREE! I got given a star here as soon as I registered!
|
|
|
Post by Calislahn on Mar 2, 2004 14:38:25 GMT -5
I got a promotion here just by being the first one registered. HeWhoWatches is very generous ;D
What i need is a tutorial for idiots, with max of course i don't mean i need to learn how to be an idiot.
I thought Zenorf's sword tutorial was well done, easy to understand and simple. That's the kind i like.
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Mar 2, 2004 14:50:05 GMT -5
Cali: Try that link to 3dBuzz. I found the movies really very useful but there are the downsides I mentioned.
I'm still looking for tutorial stuff. Most, like Zennorf's, seem too advanced for my level but I'll keep posting any decent links here.
|
|
|
Post by motoki on Mar 3, 2004 15:10:49 GMT -5
I definitely would reccomend those tutorials as well. They are long but well worth it and Calislahn they start out with the first one for absolute beginers and show you how to use the max interface so if you need a 'dummies' style tutorial these will definitely be for you. I have a more direct link to the files: sv2.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/uunr_vtmlist.php?c=2
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Mar 3, 2004 16:15:38 GMT -5
But Gawd! I that star system is such a pain in the proverbials!
|
|
|
Post by Calislahn on Mar 5, 2004 7:11:54 GMT -5
I told HeWhoWatches about this earlier but thought you guys might appreciate it as well. There is a max script called chilli skinner which helps to uv map an object, i have found it very useful although it doesn't work 100% of the time it works probably about 99% which is good enough for me ;D You can get it and many other helpful scripts at ScriptSpot.comAlso a little tip about pivots, i have been having a problem getting my staff to be held in the middle, moving the handles pivot just wasn't working, so i attached all parts to make it one object, adjusted the pivot and it worked perfectly.
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Mar 6, 2004 14:08:58 GMT -5
Does anybody know of a 'legal' way to get round the 3dBuzz restrictions on getting the free tutorials?
I've asked if I can TEXT download the rest of the 3dsMax stuff but, once you have downloaded even one you're b*gg*red. They won't even let you buy 'em!
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Mar 6, 2004 14:11:18 GMT -5
That word TEXT was supposed to be in italics.
Ah! Got it, you highlight and then format and then edit. So this should be bold and italic
For TEXT read please
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Mar 7, 2004 14:08:14 GMT -5
This is turning into a one-man thread! Straight 3ds question now. Having sucessfully made the gladius from Zennorf(?)'s avi tutorial. I thought I'd like to make a more complicated weapon. img14.photobucket.com/albums/v42/Mebyon/subtle_knife_small.jpgThe Subtle Knife from the book by Phillip Pullman, - I just liked the pattern on the hilt/handle, (the bit you hold!) All going well but I'm having real problems with the guard thingy, (the bit that sticks out at right angles). (I just don't know the correct names for the parts of a knife apart from the blade!) I've tried a torus plus bits of cones and spheres to make that structure but it all looks a bit of a mess and I suspect the poly count is going through the roof. Any ideas?
|
|
|
Post by Calislahn on Mar 7, 2004 15:49:45 GMT -5
If you followed zenorf's tut you must have a bit of a guard already (something's called a pommel, the handle i think) can't you just select the verts at the edge then pull them outwards on either side, Have to do one side at a time though. then perhaps you can widen them near the end to give that kind of shape on your picture. The guard on my sword is fairly flat but slightly wider at the sides. In case you didn't see it in the staff thread here's another link to the pic. AmarthYou can see that i widened my blade slightly to make it look more elvish.
|
|
|
Post by HeWhoWatches on Mar 7, 2004 16:09:39 GMT -5
I tried to imagine what the crossguard would look like in three dimensions from the picture you showed. Now, bear in mind this was a quick job and the dimensions are all wrong, but how about something like this: The middle section is a flattened circle, with two cones and two hemisphered circles at the ends. Simple really - too simple for what you wanted?
|
|
|
Post by Calislahn on Mar 7, 2004 16:13:34 GMT -5
Yes but surely a nice texture could make all the difference. My Staff of Magius looked dreadful without the texture on.
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Mar 7, 2004 16:25:21 GMT -5
Right! I'm on top of it now. Thanks HWW, I'll poke your cross grip thingy through the torus I already have and I think that'll do it. I've given up on poly counting, I'm only doing for fun anyway! Cali. I tried changing the hilt on Zennorf's gladius but ran into all sorts of lumpy things. You're quite right about the texture though. I've spent a long time working in Photo Paint to 'unwrap' the grip pattern so I can wrap it round the model. Yet to do the blade pattern; (don't know if you have read the book but the blade is asymmetrical, one side steely and bright, 'tother silvery and cloudy). Watch this space! BTW found a link for names of parts of swords: www.historicalweapons.com/swordparts.htmlWe can now start using words like Quillions and Riccasso!
|
|
|
Post by Calislahn on Mar 7, 2004 16:37:01 GMT -5
I haven't read them yet, my sister got me the trilogy for my birthday last month. It was featured on the bbc's big read and sounded very interesting. It came third out of one hundred, LOTR was first of course. Pratchett had five books in the top 100 more than anybody else ;D
This is totally off topic though so just to get it back on, Quillions.
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Mar 7, 2004 16:43:01 GMT -5
But 'Off Topic' is right next door! We've just popped over here for a breather.
Oh, OK. You're one of the bosses here so Riccasso.
|
|