Exporting W3D files from 3D Studio Max
3D Studio MAX can export Shockwave 3D files. To export Shockwave 3D files from 3D Studio MAX Release 3.1, or Character Studio 2.2 or 3.02, theSWD_Exp.dlefile must be located in your 3D MAX "Plugins" folder.
SWD_Exp.dlecan be found in the 3D Translators folder on your Director 8.5 installation CD (see below for exact location). 3D Studio MAX Release 4 users must install the version ofSWD_Exp.dleto be available for download from the 3D Studio MAX exporter page.
Installation and usage
| 1 | Download the 3ds max 3.1 exporter, or copy it from the Director 8.5 CD located in 3d Translators > 3D Studio Max > 3D Studio MAX r3 Exporter > Exporter. Note:This exporter is for3D Studio MAX Release 3.1 only. |
| 2 | Put the SW3D_Exp.dle into the 3D Studio MAX "Plugins" folder. |
| 3 | To launch the exporter from within MAX, select File > Export, and choose Shockwave 3D Scene Export (*.W3D) as the export file type.A directory box appears.
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| 4 | Enter a valid file name, choose a location to save the file, and click OK. The Shockwave 3D Scene Export Options dialog box appears. |
| 5 | Select any desired options and click EXPORT. The Shockwave 3D File Analysis box appears. |
| 6 | Click OK. Your 3D model is now ready to import as a *.W3D file into Director. |
Exporting tips:
Listed below are some basic first steps to follow before exporting out of 3D studio MAX and Character Studio
Grouping
Grouping is necessary for models with hierarchies to animate. You need to group objects in hierarchies in order to prevent animation from collapsing to the root parent. This means that every child in a hierarchy that contains an animation must be in a unique group to prevent the animation from collapsing. Also, all versions of Character Studio 3 (3.02, and 3.12) need the mesh and it's corresponding biped in the same group. The same goes for bones animation with Character Studio 3.
Bones workaround
The W3D exporter will only support 3DS MAX 3 bones. Although 3DS MAX 4 cannot generate MAX 3 style bones, it does have the controls for manipulation bones from an old MAX 3 file. You do not need MAX 3, but you do need a file with MAX 3 bones in it if you wish to use bones in your animation. If you merge bones from a MAX 3 file to a MAX 4 file, you can fit the bones to a mesh, copy them, add constraints, end effectors, handles, etc. Then use Physique to bind the mesh to the bones skeleton.
Viewport
Always export from Camera or Perspective Viewports. Export from any other viewport will cause clipping.
Character Studio incompatibility
Character Studio is compatible with previous versions as long as you don't group models with Bipeds. Make sure to save an ungrouped version of your file if you want to use it in new versions of MAX and Character studio.
Importing Animations
To import animations that where created in a previous version of MAX, the animation must be ungrouped or it will not be editable in MAX. Make sure to save an ungrouped version of your file if you want to use it in new versions of MAX and Character studio.
Load file
Use loadfile to load an animation library onto a existing cast member.
The syntax is:
member(whichCastmember).loadFile(fileName{, overwrite, generateUniqueNames})
member(whichCastmember).loadFile("myName",FALSE ,FALSE)
Note:If you want to merge contents from the loadfile, then overwrite should be FALSE. If you want to eliminate redundant copies of Default Cam generateUniqueNames should be FALSE. Animation library
If you need multiple motions then export two versions of your file. One with just the model with bones, the other with animation in groups. For the exported file with just the static model, turn on all export options except for animation. For the animation file, only have animation checked.
Flipped normals
Stay away from any kind of procedural texture. Procedurals do not use pixels in a bitmap. Meaning, if you zoom in close on a model, you will not see any pixelation in the texture. This may cause the model to look inverted.
Two Sided materials
Two sided materials will not export to W3D format. Also, the exporter will not return an error message when exporting a two sided material to W3D.
Fullscene export hidden objects
All hidden objects will be exported as a visible object when exporting to W3D. If you do not want an object in your scene to be exported, we recommend that you delete this object from the scene.
When creating your own lights, do not use the word default in the name. It is a good habit to not use default in any 3D objects name.
Additional information
To reset the exporter's preferences, delete the sw3d_exp.cfg file from the 3D Studio MAX "Plgcfg" folder.
The exporter supports Character Studio versions 2.2 and 3.02. Exporting files that contain Character Studio elements works best for files authored in the version of Character Studio that is currently installed. The Discreet Web site offers support information should you run into compatibility issues when opening Character Studio 2.2 files in Character Studio 3.0.2.
The 3.0.2 updater to Character Studio is included on the Director 8.5 CD. You can also find the updater, and any subsequent updaters for Character Studio, at the Discreet Web site. To install the patch to Character Studio 3.0.x, close 3D Studio Max and then run the updater. See the updater ReadMe for information about the contents.
Users working with a model created with Character Studio 2.0 in Character Studio 3.02 may experience peculiar artifacts with the model. In these cases, it is best to correct or re-author the model before exporting as a W3D. For best results, it is recommended that a model created in a particular version of Character Studio be exported from that same version.
Note:Character Studio 3.0.2 is the only version of Character Studio 3.0.x that will work with the exporter. Using other versions of Character Studio 3.0.x may cause inconsistent functioning or crashes. If you are using a version other than Character Studio 3.0.2 you will need to update your version to 3.0.2.
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