Collecting Chaos Scans

[Otuama]

Hi all,

We use a collector script to collect all assets.  We then relink in asset tracking.

The collector script works fine and the .vrscan files copy to the correct directory.

However relinking them in asset tracking screws everything up and the only way to relink them is to do it manually.

We have to go into each scans material and reassign the .vrscan file - luckily they're named appropriately.

So it went from this



 to this:



Does anyone have any idea how we can relink these materials?

Thanks

[dzintas]

Try collect assets script- https://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/collect-asset

This one collects everything into one folder and changes paths to that folder.
If you still need to relink stuff, avoid asset tracker try relink bitmaps script: https://colinsenner.com/relink-bitmaps/

[Otuama]

Yeah, tried relink bitmaps but it didn't seem to work

[Avi]

Try this: https://www.pixamoon.com/product-page/library-track-relink

This will work. Other standard scripts wont work because scans are not normal bitmaps. This script can help you. It's a paid one. I will dig around if there is any free alternative. If I find, i will share with you here.

[Otuama]

Thanks Avi.

So.... We use a 3 step process for sorting our assets.

- Relink bitmaps to find missing stufff
- A script called Collector which copies the files (textures, proxied, vrscan files into our project folder (organised folders)
- We then use the built in Asset Tracker (Shift-T) to relink the assets.  The Collector script can do this but it takes soooooo much longer to relink assets.  Asset Tracking is much quicker.

But, it's the Max built in Asset Tracker that isn't relinking the vrscan files.

This means I have to go into each material and manually relink. Luckily I only had 6 at the time and haven't used any since because of this issue.

But it's Max that actually seems to have the issue

[clemens_at]

you could also try connecters max integration, which is free afaik.

They have their own Manage External Files dialog. Been using it for years now, never had any problems.

[alexyork]

We're also struggling with vrscans in this exact same way. More and more Cosmos assets are using them, so we need to find a solid solution. We're also in tandem finding that Cosmos settings get reset sometimes and default back to the local C: for the library instead of our shared library on our network. The two things together are causing a headache.

I really hope the Relink Bitmaps guy updates his script because that's been a solid go-to for a while now. Connecter is also good but isn't really ideal since it's external to max. An internal solution would be preferable. That paid-for one looks decent but rather expensive en-mass.

[clemens_at]

Connecter is also good but isn't really ideal since it's external to max.

the connecter integration is just a maxscript running directly in max.

[alexyork]

I somehow didn't realise this! Thanks a lot.

[clemens_at]

yeah it's kind of hidden - for anyone interested:

it can be installed directly from the connecter menu -> Integrations -> 3ds Max Integration Installer

and then can be found in the quad menu when right clicking in the viewport-> Manage External Files.

Also note: when something is selected while running the command it will only show the external files of the selection, otherwise of the whole scene.

[Avi]

Hi,

I checked that you can use asset tracker and (set path) link all scans files at once. It works out of the box and its native to 3ds Max. Does it not work for you?

[Aram Avetisyan]

Hi,

The issue is most probably in the plugin itself, which does not treat .vrscan files as absolute. They need to be absolute (first at least), for them to get found, and then they can be converted, if necessary.
If right click in asset tracker, then make path absolute gives correct (existing) .vrscan path, then you should be good. If it doesn't, that means the issue is as I described.