gmax Dynamic Shine

[Adam Preece]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me how to add dynamic shine textures to aircraft in gmax? I know how to add reflective textures but am not sure how to go about adding that nice sheen that some a/c have!

Help!  ;)

A.

[Firestriker]

"Dynamic Shine" assuming you are using Max, is the Specular Highlights values assigned in the Material Editor. By default they are set to almost none. Experiment... make a material and assign it to an object. Notice the sample sphere in the Material Editor. As you change the values the shinny spot on the sphere will change giving you an example of how your changes are effecting the end results.

The other problem is that when exporting from gWax, for some reason, the values get changed. I believe it is a glich in the FSModelExp.dle file. A value of 64 becomes 6.4 as I recall. It is necessary to either capture and manually edit the *.X file and move the decimal point to the correct place, or use the middleman program with the Specular Fix built into it.

Sounds like time for a tut?

Lou

[Firestriker]

See if this is of any help.

http://www.oregon-coast.net/FS2002/spec ... ecular.htm

Lou

[Felix/FFDS]

TIPped.....

[Adam Preece]

Nice one! Thanks!

I had figured it was the specular highlights property but couldn't get it to have much effect. That explains why!  ;D

I've already got the Middleman program (as it allows me to create CFS2 MDL files) so I'll have a gander at that to sort it out.

Thanks again!

A.

[Travis]

I need the Middleman!  Where does one acquire it?

[Felix/FFDS]

Chris File's site:

http://thegreatptmd.tripod.com/


It is also a "must visit" site for gWaxers



[quote]I need the Middleman!

[Travis]

Thanks, much!

And just cause I want to know, why is it always gWax?

[Firestriker]

To those of us that were used to using FSDS1, learning Max was kinda like standing on our head and trying to type. The world got turned up-side-down.

Lou

[Adam Preece]

Fortunately I got into aircraft design once gmax had come out so I didn't have to 'unlearn' any FSDS habits (I still can't do FSDS!)

Btw, only the very latest version (1.3) of Middleman has the specular power fix and you also need Mdlcommander from Doc Moriaty.... Once you've done that, it works a treat! Here's a pic of the shine I added to my latest aircraft last night, an RAFv Harrier GR.7 in 1(F) Sqn display colours.



You can find out about this and other designs on my website, http://www.apreecedesigns.cjb.net

A.

[Felix/FFDS]

Fortunately I got into aircraft design once gmax had come out so I didn't have to 'unlearn' any FSDS habits (I still can't do FSDS!)

But look at all the fun you missed by not starting with BAO's Flight Shop or AF99, just think, you didn't have to spend time making grids on paper diagrams ... typing in each freaking vertex point on either a "template" and decide whether to make a structure, part, or figure out how to make the components as you came up to the (FS) limits.  of course, you also didn't have to deal with THE specific 256-color pallette... the height of design was to have "flaps" that were either down or not shown (same with gear)... You 've had it too easy ... (snicker)