Not sure about BAT4Max for me.

[Mr_Maison]

I'm new to this so please excuse my newbness.....I just downloaded the BAT4Max v.2 and read through the documentation. I just wonder...do I have to have serious computer knowledge to use this tool? I have the gmax and BAT but I really like to model in "real 3D programs (such as Maya and 3ds max 7) as I have a much easier time modeling in them. After reading some of the posts in these forums, it seems very technical. But here are my main questions....

1. Is it easier or harder to get a building into the game using bat4max? (I have 3DS Max 7)

2.Is it a matter of ease, or final quality of buildings when it comes to using gmax vs. 3dsmax process?

3.Is there a walkthrough tutorial for using BAT4Max?

4.What is a LOD? I hear this term a lot but never heard of what exactly it is. It's not in the BAT mega FAQ.

[vester]

Well, you will need gmax to get the bats into the game. BAT4MAX/MAX doesn't do it by them self.

I would recommend using gmax first and get familiar with it first. Then you can make the transition later on.
MAX render bigger buildings faster (bigger = higher poly counts)

There is a manual with the BAT4Max, the rest is.... Max.

A LOD is a box where on the building is displayed within the game. The buildings you make in bat is simplified, rendered onto the box (LOD). The game is not really a 3d game, some called it a 2½ d.


Look at the pictures above. The first picture shows the building as it's shown. The second one shows the edges of the LODs. On the last one I have rotated it a bit.

[Mr_Maison]

Excellent reply Vester! I am not new to 3D programs. I've done a ton of things with Maya especially, and dabbled with 3Ds max from time to time(since 3dsmax4), but none was game related. I tried gmax and made a building (but didn't go all the way to getting it in the game...I wasn't very happy with the interface because the arch tool didn't work properly for me), then installed 3ds max 7 and I felt so much better (like home) working in 3ds 7, that's why BAT4max caught my eye because I was wondering if I had 3ds max, did I still need gmax. With that said, my main concern is getting a building or prop into SC4. So when you say get familiar with gmax first, is it for getting to know how to model, or is it essential for learning about import/export issues to get content into the game?
And thanks for the detailed description of what a LOD is......I was always wondering about the 3D aspect of the game and why we only had 4 views in the game.