New to this forum

[LeFeaoux]

Hi guys! I am new to this forum and a novice at 3-D modeling. I am an FSX FANATIC and decided that I would like to try my hand at modeling. I am very experienced with Photoshop CS but only just got my first modeling program, GMAX 1.2 and am only just learning to use it. I found it to be a bit complicated (kind of like CS but not really, lol) and decided to join this forum in hopes that eventually, you guys might help me learn to become a successful modeler.

I just wanted to introduce myself so you guys would know who you were corresponding with.

LeFeaoux (David)  8-)

[Travis]

Whenever you are ready to start modeling, give use a holler, and I'm sure you'll get some help!

[LeFeaoux]

Whenever you are ready to start modeling, give use a holler, and I'm sure you'll get some help!

Well, since you put it that way ...  ;D

I DO have a somewhat urgent question:

I found some GREAT aircraft recognition images (top front side) that I would like to open-up into GMAX to use for a model. The problem is, they are not in the correct format so the program rejects them. How can I format them to open in GMAX? Will (or can) I need to use my Photoshop to format them?

[pepper_airborne]

You can use a program like irfanview (http://www.irfanview.com/) to convert the images to the correct format(open images / save as /select format). .JPEG or .PNG usualy works fine for me.

[Felix/FFDS]

You can use a program like irfanview (http://www.irfanview.com/) to convert the images to the correct format(open images / save as /select format). .JPEG or .PNG usualy works fine for me.

Before you even start modelling airplanes, have you done all the gmax tutorials?

[Katahu]

Gmax normally prefers BMP files over JPEG images. This is a good thing as almost all of the textures in the FS series are in BMP format. I say almost as FSX now supports DDS files. But before you mess around with DDS files, you have to get to know the inner working of BMP files first. As Felix pointed out, read all of the tutorials that are available. You can find them at FreeFlightDesign.com, FlightSimWorld.com, OnnoVanBraam.com, and TurboSquid.com.

[Fr. Bill]

Actually, a wise and prudent modeler will use layered .PSD files exclusively while working in Max or GMax...

...this way, you can place your UVW Mapped raw mesh as the base layer, then add new layers as needed as you develop the artwork for each bitmap.

Using a .PSD offers many advantages since you can quickly switch OFF layers you don't want to see at any point, Reload the image via the Material Editor, then instantly view the changes in your Max/GMax Viewport.

Using Photoshop with the FREE nVidea plugins, you can quickly save out your master .PSD file as a 32bit Targa (preserving the Alpha channel) for conversion with Martin Wright's DXTBMP.exe program to DTX1 or DXT3 format...

...or, if you are modeling for FSX, you can quickly save your master .PSD directly to DDS/DXT format.  8-)

[LeFeaoux]

You can use a program like irfanview (http://www.irfanview.com/) to convert the images to the correct format(open images / save as /select format). .JPEG or .PNG usualy works fine for me.

Before you even start modelling airplanes, have you done all the gmax tutorials?

Oh yes, absolutely! I am doing them over and over again so that they become routine for me. That is how I learned Photoshop for the most part.  :)

[LeFeaoux]

Gmax normally prefers BMP files over JPEG images. This is a good thing as almost all of the textures in the FS series are in BMP format. I say almost as FSX now supports DDS files. But before you mess around with DDS files, you have to get to know the inner working of BMP files first. As Felix pointed out, read all of the tutorials that are available. You can find them at FreeFlightDesign.com, FlightSimWorld.com, OnnoVanBraam.com, and TurboSquid.com.

Last night I discovered (by accident) that .BMP files open-up in GMAX. I was searching for a file I needed for the tutorial and noticed that a 3-view of a B-2 I had converted to .bmp was visible. I tried to open it in GMAX and viola, it opened. All three of the views are on one sheet though so I need to put it in photoshop and separate them. Thanks for the tip!

[LeFeaoux]

Actually, a wise and prudent modeler will use layered .PSD files exclusively while working in Max or GMax...

...this way, you can place your UVW Mapped raw mesh as the base layer, then add new layers as needed as you develop the artwork for each bitmap.

Using a .PSD offers many advantages since you can quickly switch OFF layers you don't want to see at any point, Reload the image via the Material Editor, then instantly view the changes in your Max/GMax Viewport.

Using Photoshop with the FREE nVidea plugins, you can quickly save out your master .PSD file as a 32bit Targa (preserving the Alpha channel) for conversion with Martin Wright's DXTBMP.exe program to DTX1 or DXT3 format...

...or, if you are modeling for FSX, you can quickly save your master .PSD directly to DDS/DXT format.  8-)

Kewl ... I was hoping that Photoshop and GMAX were compatible (meaning that I could use Photoshop to create for GMAX). I need to check and see if I have the NVIDIA plug-ins and if I don't, I will get them. Thank you!

[LeFeaoux]

You can use a program like irfanview (http://www.irfanview.com/) to convert the images to the correct format(open images / save as /select format). .JPEG or .PNG usualy works fine for me.

Thanks for the tip! The tutorials are great and really help a lot but there are some things that they just don't tell you ... like how to convert images for use in GMAX. It does mention that images need to be formatted in .gmax but I tried doing that and it didn't work.  
:-?

I have never heard of Infranview before ... I will have to check that out. I will most likely just use Photoshop but it is good to know about these other programs.

[Travis]

I would recommend getting Irfanview anyway, since it is such a versatile program.  It takes screenshots and converts images to different formats in just a few clicks, plus a myriad of other uses that I've never even gotten into!

[LeFeaoux]

[quote]I would recommend getting Irfanview anyway, since it is such a versatile program.

[Travis]

I would recommend getting Irfanview anyway, since it is such a versatile program.  It takes screenshots and converts images to different formats in just a few clicks, plus a myriad of other uses that I've never even gotten into!

Hmmm. I downloaded and installed it but I am afraid that I do not see why I would need it. I can do everything Irfanview can do and LOTS more in Photoshop unless there is something I am missing here.

It functions as a screenshot program, so that you can take shots while flying in FS.  Of course, I always used FSScreen to take my shots.  It allows you to simply continue pressing a certain key to take screenshots and saves them to a folder without you ever having to pause the sim and mess with them.

[LeFeaoux]

[quote][quote][quote]I would recommend getting Irfanview anyway, since it is such a versatile program.