What is the best way working AC with 3ds max?

[Anonymous]

Hi all!

What is the best way working AC with 3ds max?
When i save the project as a .3ds file i have some problems in 3ds max:
- walls and windows are joined when u save it by "layers"
-when u save by " native output" everything is saparated but editing them in max like a tortment.
....etc
i have a plug-in for importing AC outputs in max but it is important to save the project with correct method in AC.

So what is the method of working with 3ds max?

[Anonymous]

If you have Maxon Form add-on for AC, the best way to migrate 3D models in to 3DSMax, is to, bring your model up in the 3D window, than >select all<, and than, >edit selected elements in Maxon Form<, when in Maxon Form choose >export<, and than FBX format.
In other words FBX is your best format for 3D migration between programs.
Unfortunately AC does not support FBX directly.
All other formats such as 3DS and OBJ are somewhat limited (in the sense that they require additional "clean-up" after transfer) and migrate geometry in somewhat inefficient manner, which is a cause for frustration.

[Anonymous]

Thank you Tamir,
Actually i haven't known the format FBX. It is really interesting exporting AC file to the max. It sounds very difficult is it the one way or the best way? is there any different script or add-on for this job? i'll try to use the maxonform for it.
Or should we use only Artlantis or Lightworks Engine for AC ?
Is there anybody using 3ds max and AC together efficiently?

[Anonymous]

There is a plug-in available for transferring models from AC to 3DSMax but I never tried it.
We use almost all the modeling tools out there, so we constantly migrate models between platforms.
We found that FBX is superior to any other format we tested, (that goes for the geometry and UV's). There are other formats of course, and each has its benefits, but none of them seems to manage geometry and UV's as well as FBX.
So to you’re question is it the only way? No.
Is it the best way? Probably.
In any case the combo of AC+Maxon Form, is most likely better than AC+3DSMax, so if you migrating models to 3DSMax for purposes of advance modeling or superior rendering, I suggest you give Maxon Form / C4D, a try.
You will find that the flow between those two (AC - C4D) is very smooth.

[Anonymous]

No need to use Maxon form for this. It can be don easily in AC!
From the 3D window Save as 3ds by Material . If your windows have a different material than walls, as it should be, you will have different entities in Max. If you work in cm you should set the drawing units to 1000 mm.

[Anonymous]

Thank you Kliment,
I tried it, its ok.
Is there any strategic points when you're working with larger projects or any work by this method?

Have a good design...

[Anonymous]

Usually there are not any problems with large models.

I once had a very comlpex steel fence which had 5 times more faces than the building. So I turned off the layer and saved them both separately. When assembled in Max they preserve their coordinates.

[Anonymous]

Hellow Ogabson,

The trick is as explained, that you export based on materials only. But it is tricky because if you have same material on different part of your model (especially if you have a complex and big model) you export the model in parts. say windows and doors, walls, roofs, etc.

Then you will merge the files on max. It is a good practice to rename the different objects to names that are easy to understand, ex: use 'walls' instead of Object 0...;

Another thing is you should change materials based on rendering engine you are using, eg vray materials (for vray render) or architectural/standard (for scanline and Mental ray).

Do not use ligths from ArchiCad, create your lights in Max (again light type depending on rendering engine).

In summary this is what I find to be easy and give good render quality in reasonable time.

Hope this is helpful to you and all,