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How to repurpose 3D models for iClone using 3D Studio Max

Part I: Props

Level: Beginner to Intermediate 3DS Max skills

There are tons of 3d models on the web from websites like Renderosity.com,TurboSquid.com, and 3Dcafe.com. By using the iClone .VNS exporter for 3D Studio Max, you can easily convert any 3DS Max file into iClone-ready 3d models.

What you need for ths tutorial:

• 3D Studio Max R6 or R7
• iClone 3D Studio Max (.VNS) exporter
• iClone Studio Edition

Step 1: Find a good 3DS model. 

A few good places to find a high quality free model

• Renderosity - Click on the Free Stuff section in the top navigation. You will need to register for a free account.
  
• TurboSquid. You have to register membership before downloading models.
  
• 3DCafe.com - Good free 3D model section

  (Example)

  Go to TurboSquid, click "Top Free" link in "3D MODELS"  panel, or directly link to

  http://www.turbosquid.com/Search/Index.cfm/FuseAction/ProcessSmartSearch/intMediaType/2/stgType/Free

  

  You can see there are models of different formats, like max, 3ds, low, obj, w3d...etc.

  Since we use 3DS Max as our authoring tool, models in max and 3ds format are preferred.

  In this tutorial, we'll take file "lwpg3d_free_car35.zip" as an example. 

  The link is http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/200660

  Download the file and unzipped it, there should be a 3ds file, a max file and all the needed map images included.

Step 2: Check and modify the model.

Run 3DS Max R7, make sure you have installed the iClone plug-in for exporting (.VNS) files.
//// Check your File/Export/ file type dropdown menu, select iCloneExp .VNS to see if your .VNS file format is listed in the Export menu. 

Set system unit. Choose Customize>Unit Setup... to bring up "Unit Setup" dialogue, Click "System Unit Setup" bottom, set System Unit Scale as 1.0 Centimeters. Centimeter is the unit used in iClone.

Open "car35.max" contained in the download zipped file. You may encounter a "Missing Dll" warning, ignore it, just open the file.

When asked the way to match unit scale, select "Rescale the File Objects to the System Unit".

Then the "Obsolete File" dialogue box appears (this is because the file is created in 3DS Max R4), click "OK".

Potential Problem: If you export the model now and load it in iClone, you'll find the car looks good but the color is dim.

Solution: The material setting need some adjustment.

Open "Material Editor", use "Pick Material from Object" tool to pick the materials from the car.

The car model (named "35body") is assign a Multi/Sub-Object material containing 6 Sub-Materials.

Click the color blocks next to the material names, change all the color value from gray(150, 150, 150) to white(255, 255, 255).

Note: In iClone, the texture color will be multiplied with the material diffuse color, so setting thediffuse color to 255 white will keep the original color of the texture images.

Step 3: Export the prop model.

Choose File>Export... to export 3d content for iClone.

In the File Type option, choose iCloneExp (*.VNS) file format and select the designated folder.

Choose "Prop" object Type then click "OK"

Step 4: Load the prop model in iClone.

 Run iClone.

Goto Scene>Props>Modify tab, Click the folder icon next to the "Import Props" field.

Locate and import  the exported VNS file.

You can use the transform function in the "Modify/Adjust" panel to modify the position, orientation and scale of the prop.

Click "Add" button at the bottom to add the prop into "Custom" library.