Is anyone here using 3D Canvas?

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:56 am

Hi all,
I thought I'd start to make an attempt to gear up for MSTS X and was wondering if anybody here is using 3D Canvas?
I downloaded the free version and am going to make an attempt to learn it as it is supposed to be the 3D graphic creator for that sim.

Meanwhile, I have a few questions, one is, can I make content for Trainz with it?
Another is, if so, I may need a little help from you guys if that's alright?

I've been a complete failure at any attempts with Gmax, (I've tried a number of times), so, here I go into 3D Canvas...

So far, it appears to be a bit easier, for me that is, after an hour or so playin' around with it.

I'll post in this thread to share with you any creation I can conjure up. LOL
I think an old house would be a first easy attempt...

At least, that's what I've already started.

Thanks, guys,

nwhitney · Post by **nwhitney** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:11 am

There are some posts over on the Auran forum. I can't remember if you have to export to .3ds then still import into .gmax or what the protocol is. Look for the posts on Updated Plug-ins, and ones about Blender.
Norm

lilb · Post by **lilb** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:25 am

Check out this link its a plugin for it, it says it has a .im exporter

http://www.amabilis.com/mediadownloads.htm#Scripts

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:36 am

Thank you very much, lilb. I bought the Plus and not the Pro version. I guess I'll have to upgrade to the full version eventually...

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:30 pm

Would also like to add that 3D Canvas is/was easier to learn, for me that is, and am sold on it.

Not to sure I can make anything animated yet but a building or two is definitely doable. It's actually fun, btw. It does have a $70 price tag, though.

Thanks, Norm. Been poking around over there and am learning a lot, btw.

Later,

nwhitney · Post by **nwhitney** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:19 pm

Yep, saw that. Looks like you might have someone to help you out.
Norm

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:18 am

I just upgraded to Pro so, look out everybody, here I come as a creator, now. LOLOLOL

Thanks for the help and support, guys,

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:52 am

He he, I just made my first asset and placed it in the game. He he. My very first .im file.

Post by **Pencil** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:23 pm

Congratulations! What did you make?
If there's a way to get gmax files into it, you can modify any of my stuff

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:40 pm

Building an object isn't too awful bad it's the TEXTURING that's the stinker. LOLOLOL
They claim there is only two ways to do it but those two ways are broken down into a few options within their selves. Sheesh!

Thanks Curtis. I believe now that I've upgraded to 3DC Pro I can export and import .im files.
I'm at the 'buildings' stage at present. Just mostly square things. LOLOLOL Like a house. LOL
Did you make anything simple that I could experiment on? LOL
Right now I'm having trouble getting the asset to come in on ground level and making the textures look good. (I have a reputation to uphold, ya know. LOLOLOL)

This is quite an interesting program, much more powerful then TSM. (Train Sim Modeler) And, to me, much easier to learn then Gmax was. As a mater of fact, I have set it up as close to TSM as I can as that was my first 3D app I created in.

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:07 am

OK, although it is far from finished, here's my very first asset for Trainz.
It comes in at 14 polys. That door is an add-on. I have to do the windows and porch and a store front up top.

The Barber Shop.

nwhitney · Post by **nwhitney** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:45 pm

Congradulations!

Norm

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:18 pm

Thanks, Norm.

It's coming along...
I can't figure out how to bring it in with 'game' color. My asset is all bright and shiny new. LOL
Haven't been able to find any docs for Trainz, yet.

nwhitney · Post by **nwhitney** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:23 pm

Have you figured out if you can import gmax files yet? I've got that Kadee bobber just waiting for you.
Norm
Oops! Didn't read the whole post.

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:29 pm

No, I haven't tried that yet. Still playin' with all functions and options to get this asset into the game properly. LOL

I was going to ask you if you could import this thing then export back out to see if the color works correctly.