Rendering Shaders
 

I've been wondering this for some time, but never got around to asking it: is there a renderer in 3ds Max that supports DirectX shaders like we use for EaW, or does everyone have to re-material their models when they render them?

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

No one renders images like these? I guess I'll have to ask someone directly :lookaround:...

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None of those images were done using the EaW shaders. I just used the default Max materials with the scanline renderer; nothing fancy like Vray.

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

That's what I figured. Unfortunately, the models I got from the XWA community can have upwards of 60 different materials, so I guess that's just going to be part of the cost of using them (not to mention manually attaching the turrets). I actually know how to use Vray, but haven't been real motivated to make renderings given the circumstances! Thanks, codeuser.

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

There is a modelviewer for xwa's OPT files if that's what you mean. I coul'd sent it to you if you want.

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

can u even put models into sw eaw without using the given sweaw shaders?

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No, that's not what I mean. I mean those meshes that I've converted consist of a multi/sub-object of up to 60 different materials (and twice as many textures), so the prospect of converting all those materials to something renderable isn't very appealing, especially given that I'm constantly perfecting the models/textures in some way. Plus it'd be nice to just be able to quick render when working on stuff, but what can you do? Maybe I'll just start creating two sets of materials as part of my normal workflow...

You could theoretically write new shaders, but they would still have to be DX9 compatible.

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

Ah.. I see what you mean.
I have converted a couple of XWAUP models myself (For personal use). I just put all those small xwa textures in on big image and then remaped all the small meshes to this new texture. I the end i have only one mesh and on texture. Also a lot of work but now it's real easy to swap out materials or make changes.

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

I avoid UVWing like the plague :p. Besides, can't beat the graphics of 60 different textures (even if the game hates loading them).

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

no no, not re-UVing just remapping the existing UV's. The orignal texture are not scaled down, just copied onto one big mega texture, no loss of quality. Then edit the UVwrap of the mesh piece and scale it and move it to the corresponding part of the mega texture ( times 60 or so :p )

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Ah... that must be some kind of ginormous texture then :lol:. Probably better for normal and spec consistency though, not to mention load times.

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Not realy. No bigger than 1024x1024. Most XWA texture are only 128x128 or smaller. so you can fit 64 on one big texture. That's no so bad is it ;)

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Im not a good texurerer. So I dont understand what u guys are talking about but I want to understand. Can someone pls explain me?

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

I do the same thing as Warb_Null, it's not that hard.

Re: Rendering Shaders
 

Well it is only good if the model has two or three different texture or when you reskin it with a new texture but it can be very bad when it has thousands of different texture because you will have one model with many dds files and it will be too big. With these type of models usually I have seen to Nomada joining all the original texture on one or two big files and re-uv again with them the model. But the best probably will be to make the model with a new skin, it is the faster.
By example, the MC104, MC80C (the Mon Remonda), the MC90 Defiance, MC112 and MC108 on this screenshot are XWA models made by JM and converted by Nomada.

And they do not use their original uv or skins. I think that it is the best solution.