Learning 3DSMax Workflows / Unwrapping UVW Properly / Rhino Exchange with 3DSMax

[siadebisi]

Hi there ;)
I have to switch from using Blender to 3DSMax, because i have the feeling that there will never be a full integration of everything i want (like Corona) in Blender :D I don´t have time to wait for 2 Minutes every time when starting a rendering.

I started to have a look at 3DSMax now and figured out that my biggest problem is the UV- Unwrapping which works quite well in Blender, but seems to make big problems in 3DSMax. I´m asking in this forum, because there seems to be really advanced 3DSMax Users in this forum ;) So here are my questions:

1.  Is there a workflow which works properly for architectural scenes? Like Unwrapping Walls, Couches, Seats etc.. quickly and with correct Aspect Ratio? Do you use plugins / external software? Is there something better than Xrayunwrap?

2. Which is the best tutorial series to learn the programm and good worksflows in a short time?

3. What i really really like in Blender is the possibility to move things along their axis without using the mouse. Like Gumball with Keys. In my optinion the best and fastest way to move stuff around. For example I press g (move) and x to move objects along x- axis. g + y for y.... And if i press Shift + Z i move the objects along x and y. Like the 3DSMax cursor with keys :D Is there a way to set this up in 3DSMax?

4. Are there any plugins i really really neeeed for Architectural Work? I work with Rhino and Export to Max for Rendering. Maybe there are Plugins to improve work with nurbs?

Thank you ;P

[GestaltDesign]

I am also interested to hear back on Rhino/Alias to 3DS max workflows.
Due to the poly heavy and often nasty conversion of trimmed Nurbs to Polys I found the unwrapping a complete nightmare until I realised that Rhinos own unwrapping is really bloody good (as the seams can be selected at NURBS level)!
I then just export as obj and have been pretty happy with results, just a relaxing tool would make it perfect.
Still dreaming of the day a proper NURBS to quad mesh translator appears, I have seen a few papers on successful methods, it just has not been commercialised yet (as far as I know).

[Fibonacci]

Hello,

Well...in the Max the Unwrapping was an nightmare for me, but now with the pelt mapping and with the correct unwrapping workflow much faster and esier. Somethimes the headus Uvlayout is the better choice.
The XrayUnwrap is a cool plugin. Fast and efficient. and here is the layz one...This is really helpfull if you need fast and accurate uvw for rocks or other nature stuff. For tree...well maybe same good for it.

http://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/lazy-uvw-editior-procedural-uvw-layout-and-texture-baking-tool-for-3dsmax

Anyway..Just learn the max's UVW editor. There on the youtube has some nice tutors for the Max 2014 UVW Unwrapping editor.
And here is a really cool stuff, and cheap, helps a lot:

https://gumroad.com/chungkan

Well..that's all Folks! ;)

[siadebisi]

I am also interested to hear back on Rhino/Alias to 3DS max workflows.
Due to the poly heavy and often nasty conversion of trimmed Nurbs to Polys I found the unwrapping a complete nightmare until I realised that Rhinos own unwrapping is really bloody good (as the seams can be selected at NURBS level)!
I then just export as obj and have been pretty happy with results, just a relaxing tool would make it perfect.
Still dreaming of the day a proper NURBS to quad mesh translator appears, I have seen a few papers on successful methods, it just has not been commercialised yet (as far as I know).

I´m using 3DSMax 2014 right now. Did they improve integration of nurbs in 2015? My Workflow right now is to Make Nurbs to Meshes before exporting them. This way it works, but isn´t really efficient. An most times the topology is a mess... No ring selection or something like that :(

Hello,

Well...in the Max the Unwrapping was an nightmare for me, but now with the pelt mapping and with the correct unwrapping workflow much faster and esier. Somethimes the headus Uvlayout is the better choice.
The XrayUnwrap is a cool plugin. Fast and efficient. and here is the layz one...This is really helpfull if you need fast and accurate uvw for rocks or other nature stuff. For tree...well maybe same good for it.

http://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/lazy-uvw-editior-procedural-uvw-layout-and-texture-baking-tool-for-3dsmax

Anyway..Just learn the max's UVW editor. There on the youtube has some nice tutors for the Max 2014 UVW Unwrapping editor.
And here is a really cool stuff, and cheap, helps a lot:

https://gumroad.com/chungkan

I saw the Lazy Unwarp in the big plugin thread ;) I will have a look at it in the future :D
And thanks for the tutorial advice :)

[GestaltDesign]

Nah, no improvement in integration, you can import NURBS via sat file format or direct with Npower's translator plugin however the crappy topology will still remain when max converts to polygon mesh.
Like I say Rhino's own unwrap tool allows you to pick seams in NURBS mode before meshing and carries the UV map when saved as an obj mesh ready for max.
It is pretty easy to use and a bit of a revelation.
I like Headus UVlayout  however it will also fall down with a mesh converted from complex NURBS geometry so the Rhino method wins.

That is my experience so far.

Check this video from 6:30 onwards:-