Need help [installing BAT for 3DsMax]

[FromTheAshes]

Ok, I'll try. Is it ok to render 20 views? Or rather unusual?

[Rayden]

I really don't know, but I said yes, and no probs.

[callagrafx]

4 rotations, 5 zoom levels = 20 renders  (40 if you have nitelites).

@Cameron:  Your problem is definitely related to the 3dsmax.ini file and the PlugCFG line.  You have to change it to PlugCFG=C:\3dsmax9\gamepacks\BAT\.  The file you removed initialises the BAT gamepack and tells Max to run the necessary scripts (such as the UI script).

[FromTheAshes]

I still got that problem, model is not shown on the LOT Is there nothing I can do?

[SimFox]

In Bat4Max with night lights it is 60 renders at least!! And that if you have very small model that fit entirely into 256x256pix slab. If it is bigger there will be one additional render pass at each zoom/rotation until the entire model will fit in that basic 256x256pix slab.
From ashes can you list (precisely) what you do after you get message that export was finished successfully?

[FromTheAshes]

Ok
1. I make my model including LODs (in 3ds Max).
2. I export the LODs using "export selection" and safe my model.
3. I open GMAX, import the LODs and render them.
4. I open 3ds Max again, merge my model, enter the name of the rendered LODs in the input field and hit "render BAT".
5. It says
Export successful.
Processing time was : 0.1711 minutes
6. I open SC4 Plugin Manager, save my model as a prop.
7. In the LE I can find my new prop on the list. But when I place it on my LOT, it's just blank and the model isn't shown.

[callagrafx]

Missing out two very crucial steps.  Once the model has rendered, after your step 5, you have to process the renders to FSH files. To do this, click on the BATCH CMD rolldown and then click on FSH Batch Build.  when that has completed click on DAT FSH insert...it then adds the FSH files to the model file.  Once this has been done, make a building using PIM as normal.

[FromTheAshes]

I've done this, but got still the same problem. Maybe there's a problem with my LET? Because there are many other props that were not made by me and show the same problem. But not every, that's what makes me confused.

[callagrafx]

spaces in the filenames?

[FromTheAshes]

None.
kanal1x1LODs-0x5ad0e817_0x33294e90_0x550000.SC4Model < LODs
kanalCALdiagonal1.max < model

[callagrafx]

When you imported the LODs, did you make sure the convert units box was checked off? It maybe the model LODs are rendering tiny.

Can you attach the model file here as well so we can have a look to see if the FSH files are missing or whether something's gone a bit nuts with your system.

[FromTheAshes]

Yep, "converting units" was checked off. Which file do you exactly need?

[callagrafx]

the completed .sc4model file.

[FromTheAshes]

Well, I've got the .sc4model of the LODs. When I hit "Render BAT", it doesn't create a new .sc4model file. I guess that's the mistake, I can only open the LOD file in PIM. Sorry that I never noticed but now  Why could that be?

[callagrafx]

This is what happens...

The reason for exporting the LODs is that Max cannot create the .sc4model file format, so we have to export the LODs through BAT to get the skeleton model.  BAT4Max then uses this .sc4model file as the reference for the FSH files it creates (with the FSH Build tool), that is why we have to paste the model name into the export window.  DAT FSH Insert adds these converted FSH files into the .sc4model file that was created by BAT. 

[FromTheAshes]

Ahhh I understand now!!! Wow, I allways took the same model file when I rendered a model, sure that couldn't work But with a complete new model file it doesn't work either.
Here it is.

[callagrafx]

Had a look at the model and judging by the FSH files inside and the filesize, it looks as if the FSH Insert has not worked.  Check in the outputfiles of the 3dsmax9\gamepacks\BAT folder and see if there is a folder inside with the filename of the sc4model.  If there is, make sure there are FSH files inside this folder (ignore the .TGI files).  If there are, then these files have not successfully inserted. You can manually insert them and the method is in the bat4max instructions.

[SimFox]

Both export time and blackness of the FSH suggest that there is something wrong with export (lights are missing??)
BTW what is going on in step #4? What is htat murging? WHy? what with?

[callagrafx]

Simfox..calm down and wipe the rabid foam from your lips... he's merging the model into a new scene to get rid of any discrepancies between my setup and his...especially the xrefs. It's the safest way of opening up someone elses model.  It has nothing to do with lighting as there is none on the model...it's black because they are blank renders from GMAX.  Check the file size, it's 11kb.  A fully rendered straight 1x1 tile piece with FSH correctly placed weighs in at 66kb.  The DAT FSH insert or the FSH Batch build has failed.

[FromTheAshes]

There are a lot of folders. In each one there's 2 bmp files and a index.fsh. This should be correct or not?
EDIT: Ah wait, I found the .bat file. Now I'll try the methode.
EDIT2: Hm, doesn't work either. I made the following:
1. Rendered my model as usual.
2. Hit the FSH Batch Build button.
3. Exit the Max and startet the .bat file belowing to my new model. Theres a lot of text in the DOS window. I can't read it, because it stays for max. 1 second. Afterwards there are still the .fsh files in the folder.