Making a lightmap in 3DStudio Max

Blitz3D Forums/Blitz3D Programming/Making a lightmap in 3DStudio Max

Rogue Vector

(Posted 2004) [#1]

Hi,

I'm having a problem loading a lightmap - made in 3D Studio Max, into Blitz 3D.

The map seems to export from Max fine. I can view it in Photoshop. But, when I try to load it in Blitz, nothing happens to the base textures of the level mesh. It looks like there's nothing there to blend with them.

Here's what I'm doing:

In Max,

The level textures are all assigned to Map Channel 1 and encapsulated into a Multi-Sub Object Material.

I select Render To Texture,

Automatic Unwrap is set to ON,

Map Channel = 2,

512 x 512 size,

Target Map Slot = Diffuse,

then Render.

In Blitz 3D,

;Load Level
level = LoadAnimMesh("Level.b3d")
If (level<>0) Then DebugLog "Level was successfully loaded" Else DebugLog "Level load FAILED..."

ScaleEntity level, MAP_SCALE, MAP_SCALE, MAP_SCALE
PositionEntity level, 0,0,0
EntityType level, WORLD_TYPE, 1

;Lightmap
EntityFX level, 1
Global lightmap = LoadTexture("textures/lightmap/LightMap.bmp")
TextureCoords lightmap, 1
TextureBlend lightmap, 2

;ScaleTexture lightmap, MAP_SCALE, MAP_SCALE (This makes no difference) 

EntityTexture level, lightmap, 0, 1

I'm going to buy Gile[s] next month, but I'd really like to know why this isn't working.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Rogue Vector

bradford6

(Posted 2004) [#2]

get unwrap3d

www.unwrap3d.com

Rob	(Posted 2004) [#3]

unwrap3d isn't a good choice as giles delivers vastly superior mapping for lightmaps.

www.onigirl.com < get the b3dpipeline plugins.
Gile[s] is king for lightmaps.

Best path? b3d to giles
ase for lights to giles

result is the best possible.

Gabriel

(Posted 2004) [#4]

This may not be the problem, but be aware that when you set the map channel to 2, it won't remain at 2. Every time you change a setting, it will - irritatingly - revert to 3. I recommend setting it to 2 as the very last step before rendering. I also recommend saving the UV coordinates as soon as the autounwrap takes place, as these seem to get lost on occasion.

Overall, I recommend Gile[s] because it's lovely and 10x easier than lightmapping in Max. Better results too. But that might help ya out in the meantime.