Defining Connecting Edges and Naming Materials

In this section, you learn how to define the names of the model meshes for various body parts and the names of the connecting vertexes for each body part. You will also find out how to assign the material names for each body mesh.

Naming Rules for Body Parts and Connecting Edges

Basic Naming Rules

• The naming rules for the body parts are shown in the illustration below:

The head mesh must be named RL_Face. The upper body mesh must be named RL_Upper. The hand meshes must be named RL_Hands. The lower body  mesh must be named RL_Lower. The foot meshes must be named RL_Shoes.

• The connecting vertexes must be named as show below:

The numbers of the vertexes for each connecting edge are: Connect01: 24 vertexes Connect05: 12 vertexes Connect06: 12 vertexes Connect20: 28 vertexes Connect03: 14 vertexes Connect04: 14 vertexes

Naming Methods for Connecting Edges in 3ds Max 2010

Naming the connecting edges for each body part can be done by following the steps below:

1. Select a body part.
2. Switch to Vertex mode.
3. Select the vertexes that form the connecting edge.
4. Name the connecting edge line with the identical names as listed below:

• Name of the Body part: RL_Face.

The neck connecting edge, Connect01 (formed by 24 vertexes).

• Name of the Body part: RL_Upper

The neck connecting edge, Connect01 (formed by 24 vertexes).	The waist connecting edge, Connect20 (formed by 28 vertexes).
The connecting edge for the left wrist, Connect05 (formed by 12 vertexes).	The connecting edge for the right wrist, Connect06 (formed by 12 vertexes).

• Name of the Body part: RL_Hands

The connecting edge for the left hand, Connect05 (formed by 12 vertexes).	The connecting edge for the right hand, Connect06 (formed by 12 vertexes).

• Name of the Body part: RL_Lower

The waist connecting edge, Connect20 (formed by 28 vertexes).
The connecting edge for the left ankle, Connect03 (formed by 14 vertexes).	The connecting edge for the right ankle, Connect04 (formed by 14 vertexes).

• Name of the Body part: RL_Shoes

The connecting edge for the left foot, Connect03 (formed by 14 vertexes).	The connecting edge for the right foot, Connect04 (formed by 14 vertexes).

Naming Methods for Clothes in 3ds Max 2010

Currently, the clothes (including pants and shoes) can not be separately exported as an individual model mesh; therefore, when the character has a separate clothing layer, the model meshes, named RL_Upper, RL_Lower, RL_Hands and RL_Shoes, must all be included in the custom meshes.

The skin mesh of the upper body is an element of the RL_Upper.	The cloth mesh for the upper body is also an element of the RL_Upper.

Naming Rules for Materials

After you have finished constructing the meshes for each body part (RL_Face, RL_Upper, UL_Lower, RL_Hands and RL_Shoes), you need to assign material to the body parts with specific names as listed below:

• The material for the RL_Face must contain two sub-materials: RL_Skin for the face and the other material named RL_Cavity for the mouth cavity.
• The RL_Upper, RL_Lower, RL_Hands and RL_Shoes must be applied with at least one material with the same name, RL_Skin.
• If you want to create additional clothing or accessories for your character's body parts, you will need to include them as sub-materials of your body part object (see example below). The material for the skin must still be named RL_Skin, while the other elements (accessories, additional clothes, etc.) can be given different materials and names of your choosing.

Multiple materials are applied to the RL_Upper. The material that is applied to the skin must be named RL_Skin.	No gloves on the hand. Only one material named RL_Skin is applied to the hand.
Two materials are applied to the RL_Lower. The material that is applied to the skin must be named RL_Skin.	Multiple materials are applied to the RL_Shoes. The material that is applied to the skin must be named RL_Skin.

Note:

Please note that the number of the materials are unlimited for each body part, but you must at least apply one material named RL_Skin to the body part.