Modo Official Guide Book hindrances

#1

Hi,

I’m trying to get more familiar with Modo by reading and (trying to) follow the Official Modo Guide Book by Dan Ablan. Although the book seems to be ok there are several stepstones I’m falling over. Several things as described in the book simply don’t work when followed in Modo.

For example now I’m in chapter 8, trying to texture the keys but applying a weight map texture for the key end doesn’t work! There is no fade between it, just a hard edge. I followed the books steps exactly but to no avail. This is frustrating me since I’m a total beginner with Modo (and not too deep with 3D in general) and I have no clue what to do to fix this.

Anyone else having trouble there? Or maybe the author can give me a hint?

Thanks!
Sascha

#2

You will not be able to fix it - weight map textures are broken in modo 202.

#3

Arrgh! Thanks for mentioning that! Only in 202 or was thatalways the case? How could the author then use Weight Map Textures successfully in the book?

And is there then another way to create a similar effect with textures in Modo?

#4

I think Dan started the book during 201 times when it did work. You could just paint a texture map and use that as a layer mask - A bit more work, as you have to create and image and then drag it into one of the materials, but it should work.

#5

Thanks for the info Phil! One might think newer software versions are less buggy but it seems that this is not always the case.

#6

Dont get me wrong - 202 is a fantastic update over 201. You get alot more features to play with and fast render speeds etc. Its unfortunate that this feature has broke along the way though.

#7

Hi Temporal,

Could you give your opinion on the book? I ordered with my copy of Modo, but it will be some weeks before I can expect them. I think I could still cancel the book if I wanted. But I did enjoy Dan Ablan’s other book, Inside Lightwave [8]. So what’s your opinion on this Modo book?

#8

@Phil yes I agree. In fact 201 was crashing permanently here and the 202 runs stable now most of the time.

Sleepyghost, if you’re new to Modo I recommend the book. Even more so if you’re new to 3D modelling. There are some things that annoy me a bit like e.g. tips throughout the book are repeated several times and some steps in the tutorials are not well enough explained for my taste. But I’m only half trough it yet and I would recommend it nevertheless.

#9

Temporal,

Thank you for your words on the book. Makes me glad to have ordered it. I’m really not new to 3D modelling but I am new to Modo still. Though been using it a week now and am getting more and more quickly in. Book will still be of use when it arrives, I’m sure. Thanks!

#10

Yep - despite the few broken things the book is a great set of tutorials into the world of modo modeling and rendering. I would recommend it as a better than average training resource for the novice and intermediate modo user.

good luck!

-jono

#11

By far, the best modeling tool. At least in my opinion . . .
I have no idea what you are use to, however i came from lightwave and it was a real preasure and easy to switch to Modo. They are so similiar . . . however Modo is by far, more powerful. I would highly recommend Dan’s Modo book. Hopefully you find it useful.

#12

Thanks guys - and Phil, thanks for clearing that up.

Don’t forget too, that there’s about 5 hours of additional learning - video tutorials, on the DVD-rom that comes with the book.

#13

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.