Grayscale to .stl converter?

[dankjones]

I'm having trouble exporting to .MD3 in gmax. It will only let me export to .P3D.

Is the .MD3 exporter plugin included somewhere in the files that came with the ebook?

[yohudi]

I'm having trouble exporting to .MD3 in gmax. It will only let me export to .P3D.

Is the .MD3 exporter plugin included somewhere in the files that came with the ebook?

Hi There,

sorry to hear of your problems... but it seems you do have something to export.. which is good news...

Extract the file 'exportmd3.dle from the attached zip.. and put it in your gmax\plugins directory..

When you go to export... if it doesn't show .md3 by default.. select it from the dropdown... just below where you'd type the file name on the file panel... It should then use this as your usual export option...

the plugin should come with gmax... but here it is anyway..

Hope this helps

Danny

[dankjones]

Thanks Danny.

The MD3 exporter seems to be part of the Tempest gamepack.

As far as I can tell, there's nothing else in there that I need besides the exporter.

I'm doing a mock-up of something with similar geometry to what I intend to eventually send off to quickparts (a sheet of relief designs) to get an idea of how much it will cost.

[yohudi]

Hi There,

no problem re: the exporter... I can't remember where I first got it now.. but I've never installed the tempest or any other gamepak...

these were proprrietory addons to allow developers and users to save in their own formats for direct use in games.. you don't need anything.. except the md3 exporter.. and something like lithunwrap.. or the non-expiring demo of 3D exploration 1.5..

there's a link to download this at the zone... in the share your parts or art .DXF thread I think. It's faster and prettier than lithunwrap.. and it will take .md3 straight to .STL.. with lithunwrap you have to get there via .OBJ.. you do get a nag.. with 3D Exploration... but the demo doesn't expire..

If you have any problems getting what you want out of gmax.. let me know.. here or elsewhere.. happy to help if I can..

Stick at it.. you're very close by the sound of things....

Danny

[yohudi]

To anyone interested in relief generation from greyscale...

just thought I'd post what you can do with an image.. 3D paysage.. and Meshlab....


Found a hi res heightmap.. for free from HobbyCNC..

Cut it into 4 quarters (copy and paste edits) and made the mesh parts in the images below using 3D Paysage

Assembled the result in Meshlab...not difficult... very little editing.. and just requires some basic knowledge about parameters to generate some pretty decent content....

result is below.. and is a good way to work beyond the 'normal' capabilities of your system (RAM / CPU).....

Hope this Helps

Danny

[dankjones]

Hey, Danny.

Have you played around with Blender much?

They've made some real improvement in the UI, and some of their algorithms in the last couple of years.