IFL issues
by Michael Niedda · in Artist Corner · 10/23/2006 (5:39 pm) · 10 replies
Im trying to get an IFL animation to appear in showtool pro.
I have it set up where the object is a candle using one IFL material in 3D Studio MAX 8.
Its 10 images in .PNG format and has an alpha channel.
I placed the material in Diffuse and Opacity slots, set a sequence object and placed the keys from 0 to 20.
I selected Visibility and IFL Sequence only and then Export, everything seems fine.
Once I try to load it in the ShowTool pro, it crashes on me.
I tried doing this with the updated Export Utility, it exports fine too and loads into the Showtool pro, but doesnt display the sequence animation and doesnt show my texture.
I'm only going by the old ways of implenting IFLs and SHowtool Pro crashes on me, with the newer , updated utility, it loads it but doesnt play. Im lost.
Is there an "up-to-date" tutorial on how to load IFLs correctly?
I have it set up where the object is a candle using one IFL material in 3D Studio MAX 8.
Its 10 images in .PNG format and has an alpha channel.
I placed the material in Diffuse and Opacity slots, set a sequence object and placed the keys from 0 to 20.
I selected Visibility and IFL Sequence only and then Export, everything seems fine.
Once I try to load it in the ShowTool pro, it crashes on me.
I tried doing this with the updated Export Utility, it exports fine too and loads into the Showtool pro, but doesnt display the sequence animation and doesnt show my texture.
I'm only going by the old ways of implenting IFLs and SHowtool Pro crashes on me, with the newer , updated utility, it loads it but doesnt play. Im lost.
Is there an "up-to-date" tutorial on how to load IFLs correctly?
About the author
#2
10/23/2006 (6:03 pm)
Isnt that used for skyboxes? 
#3
I had this same problem. Changing the controllers type flagged the animation properly and got it to play.
10/23/2006 (6:03 pm)
In TrackView, where you set the keys to mark the begin/end of the IFL sequence, check the controller type for the sequance dummy. Under -Object (SequenceII)>Sequence Begin/End- if your filters are marked to display controllers it may read- Sequence Begin/End:On/Off. If it does right click that entry then click on Assign Controllers. Change this controller type to Boolean Controller. I had this same problem. Changing the controllers type flagged the animation properly and got it to play.
#4
Basically, I want the candle flame to have a single diffuse texture and the IFL sequence as the Opacity.
If anyone wants to check it out, this is what I have set up so far... www.niedda.com/lantern.zip
10/23/2006 (6:22 pm)
Hmm, still crashes on me :(Basically, I want the candle flame to have a single diffuse texture and the IFL sequence as the Opacity.
If anyone wants to check it out, this is what I have set up so far... www.niedda.com/lantern.zip
#5
BTW, I ran your model through Show Tool Pro and it didn't crash the prog but the animation didn't run either. I checked the sequence properties and it doesn't list seq_flame as an IFL. The animation won't run unless Torque recognizes it as an IFL. Try making the diffuse texture an IFL to make it run.
10/23/2006 (6:38 pm)
You have an IFL texture in the opacity slot but a single PNG for the diffuse. I think you have to have an IFL in both for the animation to work. I had a simliar model and I made my IFL frames as PNGs with an alpha channel but applied them as an IFL in both diffuse and opacity.BTW, I ran your model through Show Tool Pro and it didn't crash the prog but the animation didn't run either. I checked the sequence properties and it doesn't list seq_flame as an IFL. The animation won't run unless Torque recognizes it as an IFL. Try making the diffuse texture an IFL to make it run.
#6
I made sure IFL and Visible was checked in the Sequence object.
Heres the modified lantern with the exported DTS file; www.niedda.com/lantern.zip
10/23/2006 (7:00 pm)
Hmmm...still crashes. I created new PNGs with color and added the same IFLs to both Diffuse and Opacity.I made sure IFL and Visible was checked in the Sequence object.
Heres the modified lantern with the exported DTS file; www.niedda.com/lantern.zip
#7
If your animation plays in the Max viewports but doesn't in Show Tool Pro then there is a property setting that's off. First though you need to get a DTS shape that won't crash Show Tool.
10/23/2006 (7:10 pm)
Well, whenever I hit a blank wall like that usually the best thing to do is start over. Keep your source materials but open a new file and rebuild the Max file. That's about all I can tell you. If your animation plays in the Max viewports but doesn't in Show Tool Pro then there is a property setting that's off. First though you need to get a DTS shape that won't crash Show Tool.
#8
10/24/2006 (4:40 pm)
I got it working, thanx for the help!
#9
12/13/2006 (12:22 pm)
Michael- How did you end up getting this to work?
#10
make if flame_flame.png
rule number 2: i guess max textures for ifl is 50 (0 - 49)
rule number 3: always check you sequence helpers checkbox for IFL animation is checked
rule number 4: check your .png files (weird thing happening to us is .png files shows no transparency in CS2)
work around (create a new transparent file in CS and copy paste save as .png your files)
rule number 5: (for old exporter users) diffuse channel = IFL file and 'MONO CHANNEL OUTPUT' in 3ds max material editor is set to alpha. also check your opacity channel with no IFL on it.
i dont know if i forgot something but you can try all of it. Cheers!!
02/05/2007 (2:58 am)
Rule number 1: dont rename your textures with space i.e. flame flame.png it wont work (as of my experience) make if flame_flame.png
rule number 2: i guess max textures for ifl is 50 (0 - 49)
rule number 3: always check you sequence helpers checkbox for IFL animation is checked
rule number 4: check your .png files (weird thing happening to us is .png files shows no transparency in CS2)
work around (create a new transparent file in CS and copy paste save as .png your files)
rule number 5: (for old exporter users) diffuse channel = IFL file and 'MONO CHANNEL OUTPUT' in 3ds max material editor is set to alpha. also check your opacity channel with no IFL on it.
i dont know if i forgot something but you can try all of it. Cheers!!
Torque Owner AllynMcelrath
Mabye there is a material atrabute your missing.
Also, did you make a dml?