quick poll, do you use 3dsmax...

[renderhjs]

just a quickpoll if people writing and reading here use 3dsmax or have access to it. The reason I ask this because I might write some Maxscript and 3dsmax focused threads here that will help for game development.

I am thinking of things like sprite rendering, object im/export via maxscript (parse your own xml files for flash from 3dsmax objects like splines, polys, helper objects, camera positions ect.), writing usefull functions to simplify standard setups [e.g isometric camera setup from multiple angles,...].
But perhaps also some intro stuff like how to handle 3d stuff from max to get it into flash (realtime, rendered,ect.)- and what UVW coordinates are for example and how you can use them in FLash.

At some point I see FK drowning lately thought some fresh air would be good, but before I prepare some stuff I wanted to know if this is the right audience.
Been digging with maxscript lately alot and digging deeper and deeper into max also in combination with flash.

[JerryScript]

Still using PovRay here, I love being able to script every single aspect, though I really should try out some other progs. I would love to see some examples, it would give me a reason to try 3dsmax!

[SaphuA]

You're really having a hard time with FK lately eh? Get used to it, it happens to all of us every now and then. It won't help if you keep complaining.

I voted no, I once made a sphere just to toy with it, but that's as far as I went.

[AzraelKans]

No, sorry I use blender instead. Im no expert in it either, but it gets the job done

Anyway, I think is a great idea if the integration is seamless I may break an old copy of it around here in the office (is not the latest max but we bought version 3 I think)

Also I could provide some help into turning that into python scripts for blender. Like I said Im no expert but Im curious on tinkering on models for flash (specially after seing the latest papervision and related projects demos)

[ImprisonedPride]

I would love to use it to make some good models and such, but it's so friggin complex even with in-depth tutorials I failed miserably. I have used it, but not much.

[tidenburg]

Agreed with IP. Its just far to hard to use for me to be assed to learn it. Wanna make some tutorials for us render?

[Ray Beez]

Own a fully paid legal copy, but do not use it for Flash!

[AzraelKans]

Im curious, how many people here use blender?

If you dont.. you should. Is not the best to create characters, but you can make a lot of items and scenery with it.

[renderhjs]

well blender is free, has a great community and very powerfull animation tools.
I use it often for texture baking and some specific UV stuff. The built compositing capabilities are impressive too. Been using some custom python scripts but written anything with it yet. But perhaps some stuff can be ported to blender as well.

Alternativly there is also Gmax (free 3dsmax version with limited abilities) but it´s not 100% compatible with maxscript- so not everything might work so well.

[0vidiu]

voted no I like t draw games.. 3d is for me other league !

[alillm]

I also have a bit of experience with blender, but not max, way too expensive for a hobbyist like me. Flash is my limit when it comes to buying software. Still, some tutorials would probably be helpful to some, and depending on how specific you made them, they may help people outside the flash community too.

Ali

[renderhjs]

max is expensive yes, and I myself can´t afford it (poor student) but the university has a copy and most companies I worked for have it where I can use it if I need to.
It´s just that 3dsmax is the most standard package in the games industry hence the reason I started this poll. It has great im/ export and extend ablilities - wich is what I would focus on.

[Schfifty Five]

I downloaded the trial, and I think any tutorial-type-things you could write would be awesome
Even if you can just refer me to some good tutorials elsewhere, that'd be great too. So far my knowledge is pretty basic, i.e. how to zoom, pan, rotate the camera, transform objects, create objects, and make simple models with extrude and such.

[mr_malee]

I have it at home, but don't use it at all, gotta put in many hours to learn

[hatu]

I have used it and know how to do most of the basic tasks like modeling, uv maps, textures. Haven't really found it useful with the current games I've been making with Flash though.
I would use prerendered 3D stuff if I had the time to do them but as I'm not that good at it, it takes ages to do anything.

[MikeMD]

I didn't vote because: No max here, but a lot of 3D, so it's sort of neutral to your question.

For CG it's all XSI these days ( some of the older, 4-8 years ago, games used Lightwave, golf course for example was done in Lightwave ).

[pointguard]

I have it...and I'm trying to learn as much as I can with it right now and creating human modesl, and trying to animate them. I have max8...is there much difference between that and version 9?

It would be great to see some tutorials from you render, they would undoubtably be top class!

[scheletro]

voted YES

I use 3D max for my pre rendered 3D graphics in games, Im not looking far from there, is a nice tool when I dont want to draw or when I want a different looking, just that

Im not interested in those 3D technologies or make a 3D enviroment, I still love those 2D games, to much things yet to experiment

[renderhjs]

Im not interested in those 3D technologies or make a 3D enviroment, I still love those 2D games, to much things yet to experiment

well there is alot between 2d and 3d,- and just because it is called 3dsmax doesn´t mean it´s used for 3d only.
Imagine for example to be able to use the spline tool to draw 2d vectors and export them to flash- impossible with illustrator or freehand but with maxscipt easy and flexible to your needs.
or for example particles, the animation tools or the other things that max is capable of.

and yes 3d in flash is like Web 2.0: a big hype with lots of speculations- but as I said a package like 3dsmax can do more as aiding such things.

[Son of Bryce]

Render: Yes, please get crackin on some new tutorials. I'm planning to brush up some 3d skills and experiment with Papervision and whatnot. You brought up some interesting ideas about XML and camera positions that I haven't even thought of yet. Would be interesting to get an idea of the possibilities, even to just discuss what's possible.