3D Studio MAX to A:M; Spline modeling, should I?

#1

Hello Everyone.

I’ve recently played around with A:M and I really liked the speed and ease of use of it especially in the animation departement, but as a poly modeler with a lot of experience in 3ds max I have a tough time adjusting to the spline based modeling.

My question is: is there a good method of importing poly models created by 3ds max into A:M so that I will be able to use it as an animation tool rather than a modeling tool? alternatly is there a plug-in or add-on that can introduce poly modeling inside of A:M?

Should I try and delve into spline modeling in A:M? is it powerful enough and will it produce better results than poly modeling?

Thanks.

#2

Hi Roy -

My question is: is there a good method of importing poly models created by 3ds max into A:M so that I will be able to use it as an animation tool rather than a modeling tool?

You can import models into A:M however you’re better off modeling and animating natively in A:M. What some do is import the non-native model into A:M and use it as a 3D rotoscope for laying down splines. I haven’t tried this myself.

Should I try and delve into spline modeling in A:M? is it powerful enough and will it produce better results than poly modeling?

Spline modelling is different than poly modelling, which you prolly already know. It will be a learning curve but probably not as steep as it was when you first learned modelling in Max. As far as the quality goes, yes you can absolutely get great quality results with A:M. I would subscribe to the A:M forum and then peek around the forums. You will see the full gamut of noob work to extremely pro stuff.

I’m no expert so someone else will likely chime in here. Best of luck.

#3

The above reply is worth achriving, and/or pinning as an answer to point people to. All the time.

#4

Hash was my first 3d app six years ago and I have created 12 children story book with it before going in to poly modeling, you can import a low res obj model and do some spline corrections such as 4 cp circle is a poly but a hole in AM and detach extruded joints then reconnect with 5 cp jointed spline.

If you are going to take it all the way to animation, then I suggest that you build some ready to use body parts in spline with pre UV map. Though I rarely use it now a days but hope to find some time to use it for personal work in the future, its all in one except texture painting.

#5

Thanks.

I have put it aside for now as I have two projects under deadline to do, so I reverted back to my beloved 3ds max, but soon I’ll have a 4 months vacation which I plan to use to get into A:M more seriously.

#6

If you used spline in Max before, it should easy stuff up in Master. Just learning the interface is different.

#7

A:M is a great program, but does not work well with others.

To convert, forget about it. To much work. I hope someday A:M will be able to do both or at least get a hybrid modelling feel of polygons. Maybe more sculpting feel.

#8

Here is a plugin for MAX that I used a few years ago. From what I remember it works quite well doing the conversions.

http://www.ghost3d.com

#9

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