Visualization Tips

Image I/O Error Invalid Image File Header

2012-01-09T19:14:00.001-08:00

Once a while, I get this message 'Image I/O Error Invalid Image File Header' when I get a model from Revit. Usually, I replace all materials so it is not a big deal. However, a couple weeks ago I got a project that I didn't need to replace some materials. I use net render and it is a problem now. There were no missing maps but servers couldn't find a couple jpeg images... net render was failed. I was wondering maybe a bitmap path was broken but not... and realized 3ds max can't open some jpeg images. I checked those jpeg images and this is the way I fixed the problem.

1 - Find problem files: Those jpeg file sizes are bigger than other jpeg in a folder. Over 100 kb. You can find file names from a net render error massage.

2 - Photoshop can't open those files but Window's Paint can.

Go to Windows > Accessories > Paint then open/ save images to jpeg again.

Now, the error is gone.

Tip for coming back projects and sharing files.

2011-11-11T21:29:00.000-08:00

I like to use File Properties to write down a memo. For example, which render elements used, environment settings for each view or a final render size. Sometimes a project is coming back a year later but usually I forget everything, so the memo is a saver. Also, it helps to share files. You can put a comment for next person.

File Properties -

Go to 3ds max logo >Properties > File Properties.

How to figure out render output size?

2011-11-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, I used batch render instead of backburner because of network issue at my work place. When I opened a menu, I noticed a tab below that was called ‘Print Size Assistant’. I never used it but it was a handy tool.

Go to Rendering > Print Size Assistant. You can change a paper size and DPI easily and then when you are okay with settings click Render Setup. It will automatically change Render Output Size for you.

How to speed up a render time for Mental Ray rendering.

2011-09-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

There are so many ways to speed up a render and these are some quick tip for it. Some tips are not only for Mental Ray.

1 - Use a proxy object for a car, tree, people, furniture and etc.. (High poly objects)

2 - When you send a render, change a view port display to Bounding Box. Top left corner.

3 - Try avoid using ‘Force 2-Sided’ option under Render Setting > Common > Options

4 - Turn off ‘Rendered Frame Window’ under Render Setup > Common > Render Output. Net render also has a same option.

5 - Lower samples. Try Min – 1 and Max – 4 and if you are not satisfying the quality then use higher samples.

6 - Use BSP2 under Render Setup > Renderer > Rendering Algorithms > Raytrace Acceleration (Especially a scene is big)

7 - Save Final FG and GI maps under Render Setup > Indirect Illumination > Reuse

8 - Use a net render or bucket render.

9 - Make sure your model is close to 0,0,0 point.

10 - Don't use a big image file for a material.

11 - Merge all modifier.

Doesn't Work Smoothing Group

2011-07-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

Even you use an auto smooth, sometimes an object doesn't get a smooth surface. Especially, the object comes from other programs. If it happens, you can try one of these steps.

Option 1 - Export to 3DS then import it back.

Option 2 - Select all polygons > detach. Then select a new object that you just create and do an auto soomth.

Option 3 - Adding Editable Mesh or Editable Poly modify then do an auto smooth.

These are not a perfect solution but it works for me most of times.

save FG GI map

2011-03-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

Saving FG and GI maps are great time savers. Also it reduces a flickering issue from an animation.

After tweaking the render settings (ready to render)

1) Go to Render Setup > Common

Set up Output Size smaller than final render image, so you can save a time. Make sure an aspect is the same. I usually use ¼ or ½ of original size.

2) Then, go to Indirect Illumination > Reuse (FG and GI Disk Caching)

Select a mode (Walkthrough or Animated Objects)

3) Check Calculate FG/GI and Skip Final Render

4) Choose Incrementally Add FG Points to Map Files from Final Gather Map drop-down menu.

5) Click … to select a file name and location

6) Choose frame type from Generate Final Gather Map File Now drop-down menu. This option is useful when you use Walkthrough mode. If you are not doing animation, just click Generate Final Gather Map File Now.

7) After done saving FG map, choose Read FG Points Only from Existing Map Files from Final Gather Map drop-down menu.

8) Before hit render, make sure changing Output Size to original and unchecked 'Calculate FG/GI and Skip Final Render'.

Caustics and Global Illumination Photon Map has same steps except without Every N frame(s) option. Because FG is view/ camera dependent and GI is not.

Can't see GPU usage

2011-03-29T18:52:00.000-07:00

When our office got a new computer, I tested iray rendering because the computer had a good graphic card. However, a result was not impressive to me, so I installed a desk top gadget that was named GPU Observer. Again, a new result was not I wanted to see. GPU showed 0%... I posted a couple different places about this topic. Some people suggested installing a new graphic card driver so just in case, I checked mental ray log and found a line said ‘no CUDA capable devices found’. No driver supports CUDA… After installed a new driver, it works fine.

Even if, you get a new computer, you might need to install a driver.

If you don’t know how to check a log, see this blog.

http://area.autodesk.com/blogs/maxstation/n3_check_whether_iray_uses_cpus_or_gpus

Error parsing Xaml file: Root element is missing.

2011-03-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

How to fix these? Not to hard.

Go to C:\Users\your login user name\AppData (usually this folder is hidden) \Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2011 - 64bit\enu\UI

Find those 2 files.

MaxManaged.xaml

MaxManaged.xaml.backup

Remove (you can delete it but just in case remove now) MaxManaged.xaml from this folder.

Rename MaxManaged.xaml.backup to MaxManaged.xaml

Should be fine now.

Maxwell Net Render Set Up

2011-03-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

When I set up Maxwell Net Render, I had a bit hard time. A computer couldn't see Render Node... A manual doesn't explain clear for first time users. Here, I will explain how I set up.

Note;

If your log-in is using a temp user folder, you need to delete the folder first. The temp folder can’t carry a license file.

Type regedit (see an attachment) > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT (depends on your windows) >Current Version > ProfileList.

Then check Profile Image path. Delete a folder that has ‘C:\Users\ Your log-in name.bak’.

First, open Maxwell Render, then go to Help > License Info > Add. Open your license info text file from Next Limit. Copy and paste the text then click OK. You will see license info in the box. Save the info.

Close the program.

Next, go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall – Allow a program through Windows Firewall

Then, turn on maxwell and mxnetwork. If you don’t see the programs, go to Allow another program… to select both programs.

Do this for all computers you want to use.

I noticed some error in 3ds max 2011

2011-02-14T20:57:00.000-08:00

1 - If you create an animation that has a dummy link in 3ds max 2010 then bring it to 3ds max 2011 (using merge) the link is going to broke.

2 - Can’t send 'save FG map' to backburner.

3 - It is going to crash when you save 'FG map animation' (save N frames).

4 - This is not an error but now default A&D material turns on 'Back Face Culling'. In 2010, default was off. If you don't know about 'Back Face Culling', please check "Back Face problem - Back Face Culling from my blog. This is not convenience for my workflow.

A target camera problem or bug? Not a bug.

2010-10-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago, I repaired 3ds max 2011 because still I had the camera problem. The computer I am using right now that is not my original computer. Also my home computer never has this problem, so I had been wondering maybe this problem came from install fail or something. After repaired 3ds max 2011, it works fine. I never get same problem again. If you have the target camera problem, I recommend repair 3ds max.

A target camera problem or bug?

2010-10-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago, I got this problem. I am not sure this is a bug or not but it is a good idea to share because might people have a same problem.

When I opened old file in 3ds max 2011, target cameras didn’t look at target anymore (1).

Those files were created by 3ds max 2010. I need to use exact same cameras so there is no option to create new one.

I can connect a camera and target

using Look At Target but I need to connect every time when I open the file (2). I don't know why but I need to reconnect every time for this file...

I was thinking how to fix this problem a while and I ended up this idea.

Go to Schematic View then Connect a camera and target (3).

Now, cameras always look at targets again (4).

Creating a material library from a scene

2010-10-10T14:41:00.000-07:00

Sometime I need to use exact same materials from a previous work and this scrip helps that kind of situation. It creates a material library from a scene materials.

for mat in scenematerials do append currentmateriallibrary mat

After evaluate all, a temporary material library shows up in a material editor. I found this script from a cgarchitect form and a comment from Eric.

If you want to create a tool bar, just you need to add macro script for it.

Somethink like this,

macroScript Library categry:"TempMaterial"

(

for mat in scenematerials do append currentmateriallibrary mat

)

You will find it under Customize User Interface > Toolbars > Main UI, Category - TempMaterial.

Quick Compositing - Fountain

2010-08-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

Using a particle system is one way to create a fountain but if you are not familiar with it, it is a time consuming process. I will show you a quick way to add the fountain in yourscene.

First, you need to find a fountain picture that you want to use. Then open a rendered image and the fountain picture in Photoshop. Copy and paste the fountain picture to the rendered image.

Changing a fountain layer's blending mode to 'lighting'. I usually use a lasso tool with feather to delete around area.

Before and After

Links

2010-07-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

These links are really popular and many people already know but just in case.

Tutorial

http://3dtotal.com/

http://www.tutorialized.com/

http://cgtutorials.com/

Texture

http://www.cgtextures.com/

Mental Ray Shader

http://mrmaterials.com/

IES file

http://www.lithonia.com/

Model - some xfrog trees

http://seek.autodesk.com/

http://www.xfrog.com/2011/01/130-free-xfrogplants-now-available/

Script

http://www.scriptspot.com/

Mental ray blog

http://mentalraytips.blogspot.com/

Mental ray book

http://www.focalpress.com/books/animation_and_3d/realistic_architectural_visualization_with_3ds_max_and_mental_ray_second_edition.aspx?cat=146&sub=148

Community/ Mental ray community

http://area.autodesk.com/

http://www.mymentalray.com/

Web cast

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/oc/index?siteID=123112&id=8092466

Units

2010-06-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

I realized many people do not understand how Units work, in 3ds Max, but it is easy to use and it makes your life easy.

First, you need to understand different between system unit and display unit. (To see this setup go to Customize – Units Setup)

First I’ll talk about “Display Unit”.

This is how to display your model in a scene. Or I would say how you want to create your model using inches or meters. Display Unit doesn’t affect model size. Just affect how to display your measurement.

For example:

To create 1”x1”x1” cubic using the inches display unit (Don’t worry about system unit now.) Then change display units to meters. Nothing changes but the model size is now .025m x .025m x .025m because 1” = .025m

Next is “System Unit”.

This is important to know for when you are going to import and export your scene or objects because this part controls the size.

For example:

Create a 1”x1”x1’’ cubic using inches system unit. Then changes the system units to meters. The model size is now 3'3 11/32" x 3'3 11/32" x 3'3 11/32". If you change Display Unit to meter, the model size is shown 1mx1mx1m because 1 Generic Units = 1 inch = 1 meter. (Generic Units is placed bottom of Display Unit Scale (1))

This is the basic idea for how units work in 3ds max.

Next important thing is “Respect System Units in Files” option (2).

When you open System Unit Setup, there is a check box called “Respect System Units in Files”. If you turn on this option, “File Load: Units Mismatch” pops up when you open a file with different system units.

For example:

Your current scene system unit is meters then you open a different scene that system unit is inches, “File Load: Units Mismatch” will pop up in your view port and there are 2 options you can choose (3).

1-Rescale the File Objects to the System Unit Scale?

2-Adopt File’s Unit Scale?

First option changes the scene system unit from inches to meters in this case. However, the model size isn’t affected. If the model size changed, please check absolute scale. It may not 100.

Second option does; Nothing changes. The scene system scale is same as before.

Import SketchUp File to 3ds Max

2010-05-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

This is for 3ds max 2010 connection extension.

Even if you created a model in SketchUp using the Decimal Meters, it looks like only you can use a system unit for inches in 3ds max when you are importing the SketchUp file, because only inch system units give you an absolute scale of 100 for objects.

Absolute scale is really important for editing and using UVWs. If you don’t have absolute number of 100, those functions don’t work correctly. You can fix this problem using Reset XForm but if there are many objects and some objects are instance, it is not good idea to do.

To me, this is all very inconvenient, because I often need to deal with international projects that using the metric scale. My main 3ds max file system is usually meters for these kinds of projects.

If your working file that system unit is meters and need to import a SketchUp file to the scene. Here is how.

1) Open new file and make sure your system unit is inches then import SketchUp file. Save this file.
2) Open new file again then change system unit to meters. Also, check Respect System Units in Files. No necessary to save this file.
3) Go to open file, then choose the file you just saved.
4) A message will pop up in a screen; File Load: Units Mismatch. Choose Rescale the file Objects to the System Units Scale? Ok to exist then save this file.
5) Open your main working file that system unit is meters. Import > Merge the file you created.

Now, your objects from SketchUp have absolute scale of 100 and the correct dimensions.

Orthographic View Error??

2010-05-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

Some people have had this experience before? When you render out from orthographic view, edges are also render out (1).
I have never had this experience until last week and I was wondering why?

1 - This problem comes out only render out from orthographic view with lighting.
2 - Material, lighting and render settings are really standard, nothing special.
3 – This model comes from some furniture company web site and SketchUp format.

So what is the problem? I checked different areas I can think about and end up system scale and object scale. Now, 3ds max2010 connection extension can import SketchUp files but here is the problem part.
This model was created in SketchUp using Architectural scale. Then bring it in 3ds max that system scale was meters. I used Tape to measure the model size and that was ok but when I checked scale that was wrong.

Absolute scale was only 2.54 (2).
If you import 3ds or obj, those models are always 100%.

So I changed system scale to inches then import the file again. The models size and scale are correct this time and that fixed this problem (3) (4).

How to clean up V-Ray “Missing Dlls” massage.

2010-05-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

V-Ray is really popular render engine and sometimes you will get a model that was created by V-Ray from another firm or web site. If you don’t have V-Ray, you will get a Missing Dlls message. This is not good for non V-Ray users. We need to clean up this error massage; otherwise we are not able to use a net render. I hope this step works most of these cases.

When I open a scene that was created by V-Ray, I got 6 error messages (1). It depends on how to create a scene/ materials; there is different number of error massages.
First thing I do, using a script that clean up all material information from the scene.
$*.material = undefined
(If you don’t know this script, please check “Max scripts from Max Script Help – Part 1 Remove all Materials” from my blog.)

Save the scene then open it. Now, there are 3 error messages (2).

Next, open Material Editor and reset all slots. Go Utility > Reset Material Editor Slots. Save the scene then open it. Now, there are 2 error massages (3).

Go back to Material Editor. Then go Get Material > Select a Scene (4).
I used the script but still there is one material is used for an environment.

How to delete this material? We need to reset the scene, so all settings are going back to default. Do reset the scene (6)
then Import > Merge selects the scene you are working on. Ignore error messages and merge it, then save this scene. It should be clean up all error message now.

Max scripts from Max Script Help - Part 2 Move Objects to a Surface

2010-04-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

I am not a max script specialist so please do not ask me why. I cannot answer it but here I will show some useful scripts and how it works. This script comes from MAXScript Help. You just need copy and paste it.

Move Objects to a Surface

When a terrain is not flat, it is time consuming to move each object (trees, lights, vehicles, or furniture) one by one. This script is really useful for this situation.

Go to Help > MAXScript Help >How To – Practical Examples > Move Objects to a Surface. This time, I will save this script to the tool bar. Inside of MAXSCRIPT box, copy all sentence;

macroscript MoveToSurface category:"HowTo"
(
fn g_filter o = superclassof o == Geometryclass
fn find_intersection z_node node_to_z =
(
local testRay = ray node_to_z.pos [0,0,-1]
local nodeMaxZ = z_node.max.z
testRay.pos.z = nodeMaxZ + 0.0001 * abs nodeMaxZ
intersectRay z_node testRay
)
on isEnabled return selection.count > 0
on Execute do
(
target_mesh = pickObject message:"Pick Target Surface:" filter:g_filter
if isValidNode target_mesh then
(
undo "MoveToSurface" on
(
for i in selection do
(
int_point = find_intersection target_mesh i
if int_point != undefined then i.pos = int_point.pos
)--end i loop
)--end undo
)--end if
)--end execute
)--end script

Then go to MAXScript > New Script… Paste this text, then go to Tools > Evaluate All.

Next, go to Customize > Customize User Interface > Toolbars. Under the Category, drop down menu choose HowTo(1). You will see MoveToSurface(2) under the Action now. Click New…(3) and type Script(4) then click OK to exit.

A New tool bar named Script should be appeared(5). Click MoveToSurface under the Action and drag to new tool bar(6). Now, you have new tool bar. You can turn on/off this bar easily. Right click one of your tools bar (Command Panel), then choose script.

One last thing, make sure an object’s Pivot point that you want to move to surface is bottom of the object.

Max scripts from Max Script Help - Part 1 Remove all Materials

2010-04-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

I am not a max script specialist so please do not ask me why. I cannot answer it but here I will show some useful scripts and how it works. This script comes from MAXScript Help. You just need copy and paste it.

Remove all materials

When you get models from Sketchup, sometime (depend on models) you will get many different materials in the scene. If there are only 10 materials, it is easy to organize but if there are a couple hundred materials it is not so easy anymore. For times like that I use this script to clean up all materials in the scene/material editor.

Go to Help > MAXScript Help >How To – Practical Examples > Remove All Materials. Inside of MAXSCRIPT box, copy only this sentence;

$*.material = undefined

Then go to MAXScript > MAXScript Listener . Paste the sentence in this box then hit Enter. All materials should be gone in the scene/material editor. Now, you can organize your scene/ material easily.

How to show a bit map clearly in the viewport?

2010-04-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

When you need to trace some shapes using a low res image, it is not fun. Lines are really fuzzy and its hard to see edges, especially in the viewport. I usually use a hardware display and it helps.

When you turn on show map in view port, default is standard. You need to hold down the “show map in viewport” button and you will see another option (1). Select right side option, it should be hardware display.

If it is turned on and an image didn’t show (black out), the image size might be too big for this. Reduce the image size and try again.

Matt Shadow Material or Render Element Shadow

2010-03-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

This is really extreme case, but if you work with urban designers this may happen. (This is for a big print not for an animation purpose.)
Need to do,
1 – Render out shadow with alpha for an entire city scene.
2 – Render size is really big like 5,000pix or higher (many times, I need to render out 10,000pix).
3 – Clean shadow edge.

4 – Can't spend a lot of time.

Using a Render Elements, Shadows, is an easy and quick way to get only shadows from a scene but it is not good for a big sized renders because the edges won’t be smooth and clean. If it turns on anti-aliasing, a render time is slow. Also, using a matte shadow material for an entire scene, you will get a blank image because the material can receive a shadow but not cast a shadow. However, we can use a blend shader to resolve this problem.

(I use mental ray for rendering.)
(1)Make a blend shader. (2)The first material is going to be an Arch & Design material and the second material is going to Matte/Shadow/Reflection. Make sure Receive Shadows is turned on. Use Ambient Occlusion and Receive Indirect Illumination options are turned off. The Mask is going to be the Transparency. Input color is white and Transparency color is black. Now, this material works like the render element shadow with cleaner edges.
Go to render setup. (3)Turn on Material Override and drag the material to the slot (use instance) then render the scene. I used tiff file format for this. (4)Render preview is black but if click Display Alpha Channel you will see a shadow.

When you bring the image to Photoshop you will see a black image again. The shadow information is under the Channels. (5)Go to Channels tab and select Alpha 1 (shadow). Select all and copy then paste under the layers tab. (6) Invert the color (Ctrl + i) then change to a multiply blending mode. You should have nice clean shadows.

Here is a sample image.

How to create an adjustable dotted street line – PART 2

2010-03-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

Here I will explain how to lines follow the terrain.
Create some terrain. Terrain is usually not flat so either manually create the terrain by moving vertices or use a displacement map to create an uneven terrain.

Select the line and apply a cloth modifier.

Position the line over the terrain and move it down as close to the terrain as possible without going through it.

In the cloth modifier, click on the Object Properties and set the line to Cloth. Then go to Add Objects and select the terrain. (I used Plane01 for a terrain) Set this as the collision object. Click OK to exit. Click Simulate next to Progress check box. Now, the line should form to the terrain.

Here is a sample image.

How to create an adjustable dotted street line – PART 1

2010-03-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here I will explain how to create dotted lines on the road.
Create a curved line in your viewport and make sure to turn on Enable in Renderer, Enable in Viewport, Generate Mapping Cords and Real-World Map Size under the rendering. Also check Rectangular – change size to Length 0’0.1”, Width 0’6.0”. If you have lines imported from Auto CAD as an Editable Spline, it should have the same options and you can use it the same way.

Now, we need to create a material. I use a standard material and Diffuse color to white (1). Go to Opacity map then choose Gradient Ramp (2,3). Gradient Type is Linear (4). Make two color points next to each other and right click on the left side point. You will get an Edit Properties option then change the color to black. Right side color point is going to white, so you will get a solid black and white color bar (5). Turn on Use Real-World Scale and size is 12' (6,7). This mean is your black and white color total size is 12’. Make sure to turn on Show Standard Map in Viewport (8), so you can see the material. Apply this material to the line. You should get a dotted street line.
You can now move vertex and change the shape. This material follows your new shape.

If you don’t like to see shadow from this line, right click the line and go Object Properties. Turn off Cast Shadow.

Back Face problem – Back Face Culling

2010-03-07T22:20:00.001-08:00

When you use a model that comes from other software, (mainly SKETCHUP) sometimes there are many back face problems. 3ds Max has render option to “Force 2-Sided” and when it is on it renders both sides of the face, which normally isn’t a big deal. However, if you use a mental ray and Arch & Design template material, sometimes the option doesn’t work.

Because some templates default turn on “Back Face Culling”. You just need to turn off this option and it will render back face again. Back Face Culling is under the Advanced Rendering Option.
I used Satin Varnished Wood Template.

If you don’t get a smooth surface, select entire model using Polygon selection and hit an Auto Smooth.

Proxy object in 3ds Max

2010-02-28T18:17:00.000-08:00

Here I will explain how to create and use a proxy object in your scene. Proxy is great for placing lots of high ploy objects like a trees, cars and people.

Note:
1 - Before making xref object, make sure the object scale is 100%. If not, using Reset XForm to correct scale.
2 - You can use a regular mateiral instead of xref material.
3 - Object ID doesn't work for xref object, so if you need ID using material ID.

First, make sure mental ray render is selected.

Create any object that you want to make a proxy. If your object is not a single mesh, attach everything, then apply a material to the entire object, then save the file. Later, we will use this file to apply a material to a proxy object.
Next, go to create panel and choose mental ray from the drop down.

Click mr Proxy and create proxy box in the scene.

Select the proxy box and go to Modify panel. Select the Source Object - None, then click the object which is you want to make a proxy from the scene. Go to Write Object to File… and save the proxy file. Now your proxy box should be a bunch of dots. The proxy file is done. Save the file.

Now I will explain how to use this file to your scene.
Open a new scene and create a proxy box same as last time you created, then go to Modify panel. Click Proxy File… and choose the file you just created. You will see dots again. If you want to see more shape clearly put high number in Display – Viewport Verts.

We got the object in the scene but not a material yet. Go to Material Editor and Choose Xref Material shader.

Then, choose the max file you created before.

You will see the object name so pick the original object (not a proxy) and click OK. Apply this material to the proxy.