I import from AutoCad to 3dsmax on a regular base, so you can say I have some experience with this.
When you import from DWG you will need to tell max how it needs to convert the AutoCad solids in to 3dsmax meshes. This is done in the import geometrie panel, by adjusting the "curve steps" (how smooth to convert curves) and "surface deviation" (how many polies it will create per mm or inch).
Don't check the autosmooth box, it is easier to do this with smooth modifier.
But as usual, you can find this in the help file.:)
thanks for the great tips, but i'm coming to the conclusion that it is all just product of error on my part way back when i began the project files.
while i had the display settings in autocad turned up the actual geometry creation for 3d objects was set down at defaults basically i was being fooled by auto-smoothing from the display settings, when my actual objects were much too simple.
also since all my objects are for the most part multiply lofted and boolean creations i have found no way yet to refine them. :(:(
i have begun a new version of the E (calling this one 6.0). i'm re-creating the nacelle first, using autocad. so i can see if my new program parameters will translate any better :cool: barring any other distractions i should have the CAD version done by tomorrow night, then we can see how it works out. otherwise i'll have to just start working it fully in Max
I've made an executive decision to just continue this one in autocad for the time being. i'll continue to work on a Max version now and then. but untill i develop my Max skills more it just isnt meant to be!
i'll be "book-ending" a few other projects in the next couple days, so maybe by this weekend i'll have some more to show once i get back into it!
no new work as yet, but my friend was in fact able to help me get this fully loaded into Max :cool: the filesize is already huge however, just under 105m
this is "as is" imported with no changes, and default lighting
Good news about the import, and bad about the size.
In max, try to play with the optmize modifier (new versions has a more efetive modifier, but I donAât remember the name), it can help you to decrease the size and optimize pollys.
btw optimizing the mesh made for easier manipulation and does free up a few hundred megs of ram whem working with it. but didnt help the filesize any.
in the end however it's not a big deal to re-create from scratch in Max to avoid the whole mess whatsoever. i've modeled 4 different versions in Cad (this being the fifth) so i can almost do it from memory alone! haha
I'm down to working on only 2 different projects right now, my X-Wing and the Dry-Dock. and as soon as the Dock is complete the E will take its place on my to-do list!
had a little help learning some new methods, and i have both simplified and refined it at the same time :devil:
i'm even considering leaving part of the wireframes on inside the deflector grid, instead of aztecing... we'll see
I did the same thing for the registry number on my model. *sheepish grin*
Your progress looks good so far. As for the aztec pattern, I think that's more of a specularity thing than just surface detail. The way the light catches different materials used in building the ship? It gives a model a higher level of complexity. Also: Eyecandy.
Nice work.
It's probably a bit late for this suggestions but...
You should try to avoid using the existing geometry when adding those circular shield-grid-lines.
The way you cut them into the hull now you loose the smoothness of the curved hull. You can see
it best on the saucer's underside - it looks rather segmented even though there is actually a fair
amount of polys.
cool, glad to see I'm not the only one crazy enough to try this
I'm modeling the enterprise in CATIA, just as a bit of a hobby, but its becoming an obsession now
its been about 7 months since I've even opened this project file, but I have finally decided what direction to go with the mesh. Instead of a completely anal screen accurate inside & out cutaway, I am just going to recreate this poster:
I also neglected to post updates over here the last time i was working on it earlier this year, so here's a couple new renders of where the mesh is at currently.
(warning, large pics)
and finally a quick "over the shoulder" screengrab of the saucer wireframe:
Posts
I import from AutoCad to 3dsmax on a regular base, so you can say I have some experience with this.
When you import from DWG you will need to tell max how it needs to convert the AutoCad solids in to 3dsmax meshes. This is done in the import geometrie panel, by adjusting the "curve steps" (how smooth to convert curves) and "surface deviation" (how many polies it will create per mm or inch).
Don't check the autosmooth box, it is easier to do this with smooth modifier.
But as usual, you can find this in the help file.:)
while i had the display settings in autocad turned up the actual geometry creation for 3d objects was set down at defaults
also since all my objects are for the most part multiply lofted and boolean creations i have found no way yet to refine them.
i have begun a new version of the E (calling this one 6.0). i'm re-creating the nacelle first, using autocad. so i can see if my new program parameters will translate any better :cool: barring any other distractions i should have the CAD version done by tomorrow night, then we can see how it works out. otherwise i'll have to just start working it fully in Max
i'll be "book-ending" a few other projects in the next couple days, so maybe by this weekend i'll have some more to show once i get back into it!
no new work as yet, but my friend was in fact able to help me get this fully loaded into Max :cool: the filesize is already huge however, just under 105m
this is "as is" imported with no changes, and default lighting
In max, try to play with the optmize modifier (new versions has a more efetive modifier, but I donAât remember the name), it can help you to decrease the size and optimize pollys.
i've also been working on a drydock, just put them together this afternoon
btw optimizing the mesh made for easier manipulation and does free up a few hundred megs of ram whem working with it. but didnt help the filesize any.
in the end however it's not a big deal to re-create from scratch in Max to avoid the whole mess whatsoever. i've modeled 4 different versions in Cad (this being the fifth) so i can almost do it from memory alone! haha
I'm down to working on only 2 different projects right now, my X-Wing and the Dry-Dock. and as soon as the Dock is complete the E will take its place on my to-do list!
i decided what the hell, and just started from scratch.
Great technique.
aww, is it that transparent? :flippy::cool:
heehee, anyway. good progress the last few days:
had a little help learning some new methods, and i have both simplified and refined it at the same time :devil:
i'm even considering leaving part of the wireframes on inside the deflector grid, instead of aztecing... we'll see
I did the same thing for the registry number on my model. *sheepish grin*
Your progress looks good so far. As for the aztec pattern, I think that's more of a specularity thing than just surface detail. The way the light catches different materials used in building the ship? It gives a model a higher level of complexity. Also: Eyecandy.
It's probably a bit late for this suggestions but...
You should try to avoid using the existing geometry when adding those circular shield-grid-lines.
The way you cut them into the hull now you loose the smoothness of the curved hull. You can see
it best on the saucer's underside - it looks rather segmented even though there is actually a fair
amount of polys.
I'm modeling the enterprise in CATIA, just as a bit of a hobby, but its becoming an obsession now
this is what I have done so far
http://www.megomuseum.com/startrek/sttmp.html
I also neglected to post updates over here the last time i was working on it earlier this year, so here's a couple new renders of where the mesh is at currently.
(warning, large pics)
and finally a quick "over the shoulder" screengrab of the saucer wireframe:
more to come soon!