Need opinions on Max4 plug-ins

[zkydz]

I would say to learn MAX a bit more. That's the only way to know it's shortcomings and therefore know what you eant to accomplish. Things like particles and spline cage surface tools. However, there are glaring deficiencies such as:

Hair: Shag Hair/Fur (So far the *only* MAX hair solution

Fire: Phoenix

Volumetrics: Plug-ins like Afterburn

And the most important (and FREE!!) Meshtools!!

zkydz

[|2 e |3 o o t]

:D
Heya thanks... I heard something about a good plugin renderer that works better than the default scanline renderer, I guess. Hope I get the terms right.

:D
Anymore inputs from others ??

:scream: :scream:

[|2 e |3 o o t]

um.. I believe that max has got abundant of tools in the package that are capable of completing most things that is, if the animator is technically well versed. to me plug-ins are addons that just makes life simpler i guess... and adds more flexibility in accomplishing certain tasks.

Cheers... more favourite plug-ins comments pls.

:cool:

[xynaria]

Pretty much in full agreement with zkydz here. Plugins are very seductive in theory but a lot of the more usable ones.. i.e Afterburn etc are very computationally intensive and take quite some time to perform their tasks. Although it might appear slower, I think it's more productive to try and do whatever you want to do without plugins so you can find Max's ( and your own) envelopes and neccessity being the mother of invention you can be stretched to finding quicker solutions. i.e how often do you really need fully volumetric enviroment effects?. A good site to visit is that of Alan McKay who goes under the name of Maquette over at 3d luvr to see ways of doing things quicker without neccessarily spending a fortune on Plugs. Other resources of free plugins (if you haven't allready found them) are the beta page at www.blur.com and scripts at www.scriptspot.com.

On the other hand if you must use them
Particle Studio is a reasonably good alternative /addition to Max's Particles ( Even more so are Thinking Particles but.... )
You should go through Reactor (included in Max in 'lite' form)

the list goes on.........

:)

[hormon]

Texporter is quite useful for texturing your model, and its free. Brazil, a free plugin renderer, still in beta stage. Capable of doing manythings that the default scanline can't (better anti-antialiasing, GI, etc). And be sure to look for script too, as they often more useful than plugin, since scripts is made to simplify workflow rather than add features. Check scriptspot (http://www.scriptspot.com) for a full list of maxscripts. There was about 1000+ last time I check.

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