Import skp file into Zbrush

I get a model on http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/,... great! But I would like to export it for Zbrush (without an another expensive software). It works like that:

1. Download the free Sketchup software
2. Download the Obj exporter from Sketchucation
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33448
install it
3. Download your model from the warehouse (skp file)
4. Open it in Sketchup, export it als Obj
5. Import the as tool in ZBrush
That's it

i.e.

Make a Button for a Maxscript

I forget everytime this simple thing:
How to make a button for my own maxscript:
open the MAXScript Editor...
open your script
Select All (Alt A)
Drag the script on a Toolbar.
That's it

Script auf Button legen:
Scripteditor öffnen, kompletten Code kopieren und auf eine leere Fläche in einem Toolbar ziehen.

Tutorial on DigitalDesign magazine

My tutorial about the Dynamesh Function of Zbrush is online by DigitalDesign Magazine:
free teaser
full magazine

enjoy! ;)

mrProxies: quick pipeline.

I test the Proxies from mental ray within 3ds max 2011.

- get Hires Model
- mr Proxy button under "Mental Ray" rollout
- Modify rollout, pick up the Hires, save the proxy
- Paint the Object Paint function in the Ribbon palette







Here the two videos to get all informations:

Hide Lightbox at ZBrush's start.

I didn't want to see the Lightbox at start from ZBrush. I search for an issue, Marcus from ZbrushCentral get it. here:

1. Locate the DefaultZScript.txt file in the ZBrush 4.0\ZScripts folder.
2. Open the file in Notepad.
3. Edit the file so it looks like this:
Code:

//startup [If,[MemGetSize,Startup_Mem],, [MVarDef,Startup_Mem,1,0] [IPress,Preferences:Lightbox:Lightbox] ] [pd]

4. Save the file.
5. Restart ZBrush.

Lightbox will probably appear briefly but will not stay open. You can open it any time by using the comma (,) key.

Here the original post.

Some 3D Model i made, to sell here:
http://www.fallingpixel.com/3d-artists/davidlecardinal

Actually I work again of new version of www.davidlecardinal.com (AS3) just for fun and for learning AS3.

Convert *.skp for 3ds max (*.FBX or *.3DS)

You know sketchup and his google 3D models gallery. here it is:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/
So much 3D file to download.

ok, that's fun but what can I do with it in 3DS max... hop need to convert. Google give me the process to import/convert a google sketchup model (*.skp) to max (3DS or FBX).

First we need 2 free software from Autodesk, FBX Converter and Google Sketchup (actually version 7):
You can download the windows version of the FBX converter from:
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/fil...nverter_win.exe
The program will install to the following location (unless you specify otherwise):
Program Files\Autodesk\FBX\FBXConverter\2006.11.2\FbxConverterUI.exe

and for Google Sketchup:
http://sketchup.google.com/download/

Here is the process for converting from .skp to .3ds:

1) Download or create a .skp model in Sketchup
2) In Sketchup, export your model to "Google Earth 4 (*.kmz)
(note: be sure to choose version 4, because the other one is different)
3) Change the extention of the kmz file to .zip
4) Pull out the .dae file
5) In FBX Converter, convert the .dae file to .fbx
6) In FBX Converter, convert the .fbx file to .3ds

Note: in max you can import the *.FBX file, it works pretty.
something you can use to clean the mesh: detriangulator maxscript:
http://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/detriangulator

Source: http://forums.devshed.com/game-development-141/converting-sketchup-models-to-3dst-519710.html

How to import *.lwo files in 3ds Max without Lightwave?

Yesterday I get some 3D at this URL http://dmi.chez-alice.fr/models1.html. Exactly what I were looking for... but I get only *.lwo files... Arrrrg. Ok I asked my friend Google :) and this the way I get my model in 3ds max:
1. Download Accutrans 3D. It's a shareware, You can also try or buy (20$). First I try :)
2. Open your *.lwo in Accutrans 3D
3. Save as... what you want.

I tested different output file. First as *.obj... it won't work properly. 3DS works great (model 1 and 2 and the picture below). I get only strange black triangle in the viewport for the first model and only in the standard max setting. With Light and Shadow in the viewport it was perfect. Model 3 is exported as *.vrl. It smooth Groups.


Standard viewport

Standard viewport with hardware shadow

Quick render with mental ray

My Homemade pass-photo in 6 steps:
1 - I get the german reference for baby pass photo
2 - I take a picture from our lovely model with my digital camera (Panasonic DMC-LX2 | more about this camera). Then I adjust the size with my ref picture.
3 - I clean the background with the Clone Stamp Tool (S) with an average/small brush size (Hardness of 0%)
4 - With the same tool, I clean some smalls dirty dots (smaller brush size)
5 - I use the Unsharp Mask filter to get more details in the eyes and overall.
6 - And finaly I made small color correction with two adjustements layers. The first one was Photo Filter with an orange color (R=236 G=138 B=0) with density of 25%. The second filter was the Color Balance filter. I only change the midtones values.

That's all. It takes about 15 min to get a ready print pass photo.
The only thing that doesn't exactly match is lighting... whatever, it was fast :)

Some links I always forget:
some cars: http://dmi.chez-alice.fr/models1.html
some textures: http://www.cgtextures.com/

My house get continued. I made the bath (funny it was my first Bath in 3D... hate standard exercise :). I split the render in 4 part with this macroscript (don't forget to fridge the final gather). I change a little the script from the original that it's started with DIN A4. The Original Script can you find by Zap's mental ray tips.

I compose the two rendering in Photoshop for color correction and add an ambient occlusion pass. There is a good tutorial about ambient occlusion on 3DS Max Rendering.
C&C are welcomed.

Software: 3ds Max, Mental Ray, Photoshop
Links: forums.cgsociety.org - cghub.com - 3d-station-forum.com - deviantart.com

This is my Little Planet. I found an amazing gallery on Flickr (here) and I decide to make my own. I found a good tutorial on internet about it (here). I started my Little Planet with a normal shot of Aschaffenburg Castel.

download this pic

I used Photomerge in Photoshop CS3 (File > Automate > Photomerge) to stitch together old photos from my nikon coolpix. I'm impressed of the result with the poor shots.
Both Panoramas are from "Ilot Saint-Michel" in Erquy (sweet home... :))

You can find more informations about Photomerge here.

Today no pic but a tip about 3ds max.
I use yesterday the batch render. 3ds max create a file *.bat (render/batch render). But I get a problem, when I execute the *.bat: it didn't find the 3dsmaxcmd program. Why? mmmh maybe the path!

First solution:
- open the *.bat with notepad
- show where the line begin with 3dsmaxcmd ...
- change it with the complete path with quote ("C:\Programme\Autodesk\3ds Max 2009\3dsmaxcmd" ... ) - quote are important because of the spaces
- save and quit, execute the *.bat. It runs!

This is simple but I was not happy with this solution. Every time I had to edit the *.bat.

Second solution (windows get it):
- open your system propriety (Key windows+pause or right mouse click on workplace+propriety)
- Tab advanced, then environment variable
- Add a new Variable PATH, value "C:\Programme\Autodesk\3ds Max 2009" (don't forget the quote)
- reboot, that's all !

sorry if technical words are wrong, I've got a German system.
Thanks if you correct them :)

'cause I forget sometimes :)
I worked for them:
Adidas, Airwaves, Alstom, Berenson, Braun, Cegelec, dm, Extra Professional, Linie Aquavit, Oral-B, KitKat, Lurgi, Nestlé, Orbit, Pampers, Procter & Gambles, Rossmann, Saturn, Schlecker, Siemens, Torka, Weihenstephan, Wella, Wrigley

What I used:
3ds max, Mental Ray, Vray, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effect, Premiere, Realflow, Flash, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Encore and Trackmania :)

to do:
Shop: http://shops.venditio.com/kardilis/