Exporting from Max, please HELP

#1 The sequence helper can be found by choosing the create tab then clickingthe helpers icon (the one that looks like the tape measure). Then in the drop down list choose general dts objects.

#2 Bruno,

I had the same problems the first time I went through the exporting process. I created a tutorial that walks you through the basics.

torque.smdlabs.com/3dsmaxAnimationSetup.htm

It might help clear up a couple of areas for you.

B--

#3 @Bruno

1. No these are the most current public docs that are available. TDN will have a much larger, updated and more refined version of the information that is presented in the docs when it comes out but until then what you have access to is the latest.

2. Environemental reflection requires four things:
A) You need to have a 7th bitmap loaded into your sky box DML file. This 7th bitmap on the list is the environmental reflection bitmap that is used to fake a sky like reflection. Please remember the environmental reflections in Torque only reflect this 7th bitmap, not the scene around the model (which is what you can do with TSE).
B) You need to ensure that you are using a PNG file with alpha channel data. The Alpha channel data is used to tell the engine what areas of the bitmap are reflective and how reflective they are.
C) You need to have the reflection map channel active an at a value greater than 0. The spinner also controls how reflective the DTS is so its important to not screw around with it too much. Usually what people will do here is just copy the diffuse map channel information into the reflection map channel so that the exporter can make no mistakes.
D) The prefs value needs to be set like you have already done.

Note: Environmental reflections doesn't work in the 3rd person free camera (ALT+C) that you can activate in torque.

3. As todd has said, its located in the Create Command Panel helpers rollout. Its pretty difficult to miss.

#4 @Todd,

So it's not the pull-down menu that's on the create tab ?
Have to look further for it.

@Brandon,

Thanks, I've already downloaded all the movies and printed your tutorial. They sound ( and look ) great. But I'm still not at that stage. I'm only trying to export simple shapes. I'm sure they'll come in handy very soon.

@LFoster.

Wow, it sounds really hard to make it work then. Thanks for the info.

#5 @LFoster

Still having problems with the reflection stuff. I'm using 3DGPAI1 demos which have the scorched planet demo.
According with your checklist :

a) It has a 7th bitmap loaded in the sky box DML
b) The PNG file has an alfa-channel. I can view it if I select the opacity checkbox. ( If I select both opacity and reflection, the box disapears )
c) It has the value of 100% should be a chrome box but nothing happens
d) The prefs value seems to be OK, at least it shows in the console.

#6 In TST Pro there is a little button at the top entitled EM (for Environment Mapping), check it, you should see your DTS reflection areas trigger. If it isnt showing then chances are that the DTS wasnt setup right when exporting. If it is showing right then theres an issue in your engine script somewhere.

#7 Don't know why but TST Pro is hanging in my mac ( it used to work ). Would you mind if I sent you the DTS so you could check them ?

#8 Sure upload the DTS somewhere.

#9 Thanks.

They are already in the Downloads folder of homepage.mac.com/bgrieco

#10 Sorry but your sites a complete mess to navigate, can you provide a direct link to the files in question?

#11 Try
homepage.mac.com/bgrieco/FileSharing25.html

The 3 files are DTS and 2 files are textures.