3DSmax Configuration

From FleshWorks

Contents 1 Configuring Discreet 3ds max 5.1 for T3Ed 2 Configuring Environment Variables 3 Copy Required Files 4 Plugin Load Order 5 Additional Path Settings 6 Where to find the 3DS max 5.1 updater 7 Designing new Static Meshes

Configuring Discreet 3ds max 5.1 for T3Ed

by Ulukai

This covers how to comprehensively configure 3ds max for T3Ed with regards to plugins, paths and directory settings etc. Note that currently, the IonShader.dlt at least will work with version 5.1 only. Thise means 4.1, 5.0, 6 and 7 are incompatible and you will get a plugin load error if you attempt to use them. This is a configuration document only. Instructions on how to use 3dsmax with the plugins should go elsewhere.

Configuring Environment Variables

Create an ION_ROOT enviroment variable and set it to where you installed Thief: Deadly Shadows. (e.g. c:\Program Files\Thief - Deadly Shadows\). Under XP you can edit these by right-clicking on My Computer, choosing Properties, Advanced, Environment Variables.

Copy Required Files

Copy the folder called "Scripts" from the Thief3Editor included “Utility\Max” directory into the root directory in 3DSMax, overwriting the existent Scripts folder (no original files will be lost with this operation). Copy the .dll files (msvcp71.dll, msvcr71.dll, and binkw32.dll) to the root directory of 3DSMax.

Plugin Load Order

The plugins must be loaded in the correct sequence or dependency issues will stop certain components from working. Do this via Customize -> Configure Paths -> Plug Ins -> Add

Replace C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor with the correct path for your machine.

Notice that the plugins must be loaded in the following order, otherwise they doesn't work:

 1-)HardwareShaders;
 2-)Stdplugs;
 3-)Plugins;
 4-)Matlib;

So, you have to add first, for the Ion Shader, C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\CONTENT\T3\MatLib (it's recommended that you add also in the Label box the string "MatLib", in order that you can better identify it in the Plugins configuration, or in the plugin.ini 3DS file);

After that you have to add C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\Utility\Max\Plugins (calling it, if you want, Plugins in the Label box below);

Same operation with C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\Utility\Max\Stdplugs

Lastly, C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\Utility\Max\Plugins\HardwareShaders

If the Plug-Ins window shows, in order

C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\Utility\Max\Plugins\HardwareShaders

C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\Utility\Max\Stdplugs

C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\Utility\Max\Plugins

C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\CONTENT\T3\Matlib

then your operation are correct.

Additional Path Settings

The maxtexport.dlu plugin can also be used to convert the .mlb format (T3Ed) material libraries into .mat (Max) material libraries, which can then be opened in Max. (This enables you to use existing material libraries and not have to create a new material library every time you add a new custom mesh - **providing** you're using existing T3 textures). Thing is, Max needs to know the location of the .dds files as specfied by the Ion Shader.

So... Customize -> Configure Paths -> Bitmaps/Photometrics -> Add

Then add in C:\Program Files\Thief3Editor\CONTENT\T3\Textures. Make sure 'add subpaths' is checked.

Restart 3dsmax, and you're good to go.

Where to find the 3DS max 5.1 updater

• It can still be found at Autodesk's site [1]

Designing new Static Meshes

• Here you can see how to build a custom static mesh [2]