Messages

166

[Max] General Discussion / Re: Starting my own material library

« on: 2015-04-29, 01:00:45 »

Not given up yet, but the material part in Connecter is odd. I have one library called 'connecter' that has a different symbol for the folder, which I think may have something to do with materials but I just can't make sense of it. Anyone interested in sharing their experience?

I've looked elsewhere to find some forum or a discussion about Connecter, but it seems to be a well kept secret.

167

Work in Progress/Tests / Re: Siger various tests

« on: 2015-04-28, 00:03:39 »

But aren't they basically the same materials? This feels almost a bit greedy since I would already pay for them once when I buy one of them, some form of upgrade price/discount would make a lot of sense to me.

I guess I will just have to use the Corona material converter.  :)

168

Work in Progress/Tests / Re: Siger various tests

« on: 2015-04-27, 19:04:30 »

Hi Siger,

I use both Vray and Corona, would I have to buy both CMPP and VMPP?

169

[Max] General Discussion / Re: Starting my own material library

« on: 2015-04-27, 17:46:22 »

PM does render thumbnails, but the quality is quite useless.

That is true for materials, but I find it tremendously helpful for objects. If I have a folder with objects such as lamp.obj it is a timesaver to get a quick look.

170

[Max] General Discussion / Re: Starting my own material library

« on: 2015-04-27, 17:14:22 »

So, guys did anyone figure how to work with connecter and materials??.. Don't know if im stupid or what but can't figure it out :D

I can't figure it out either, but in their help section they refer to a 3ds Max specific version, which I can't seem to locate so maybe that functionality isn't there in the regular version. It says it the 3ds Max version creates a 'Materials' folder and I don't have that.

On the other hand I also get a feeling that this was something that applied to earlier versions but that they now are integrated to one.

This kind of vague documentation is something they all seem to have in common, VMPP, Project Manager and Connecter, making it a bit worrisome to invest the time needed in building a library.

171

[Max] General Discussion / Re: Starting my own material library

« on: 2015-04-27, 01:12:51 »

Thanks Juraj,

Definitely like the look of Connecter (and VMPP as well) and it would be great if it would allow addition of materials so only one was needed, but I also like that Project Manager can render thumbnails from non-Max scene objects, like 3ds and obj. I've had some weird behavior from Connecter but could be because I'm running the project manager demo simultaneously, not sure.

I like the drag and drop of thumbnails in Connecter, doesn't seem to be available in VMPP, adding a cumbersome step of saving and importing a screen shot.

Another thing with VMPP since you seem to use it frequently, is there a way to import existing material libraries into the user library without having to load the material into Max first?

Amazing that more people aren't asking for something like this. I've collected a ton of stuff over the years and come to the point where I don't seem to find anything anymore.  :)

172

[Max] General Discussion / Re: Starting my own material library

« on: 2015-04-25, 21:44:11 »

Here is my import process :- )  {maybe it could be streamlined even futher?}

1)Open library
2)Click on material in Material editor
3)Click '+' in CMPP, voila, material added ! I can instantly use it on different 3dsMax file opened, without any restart, since the files are located on disk.
4)Make larger instance of material editor preview (quality 12), screenshot it, save in PS and on the disk.
5)Click image import. Now I have nice thumbnail as well, and it took no time at all.

This actually sounds great, but will it also save more complicated node setups from the slate editor? Will it copy textures to its own library?

I've started looking at Connecter, which seems very promising but I can't figure out how to add a material from my scene/material editor to it like you describe with VMMP? I assume it doesn't do that then, but it would be nice to depend on as few add-ons as possible for managing assets, as it is a lot of invested work if one of these relatively small developers decide it is isn't fun anymore.

I've also had a look at Project Manager, but since it completely lacks documentation besides a few silent videos, it is kind of hard to know exactly what it can do. Anyone with experience?