Is gmax necessary to use the BAT?

[Enigma]

Hello, I am new to these forums. This is my first post here ever. I have downloaded and installed gmax, which i read is necessary to use the SC4 BAT. but i also have downloaded a program called 3ds Max by Autodesk (same company as gmax, i think),and it appears to be an advanced version of gmax. so my question is, is gmax necessary when i have a fully registered/activated copy of 3ds Max? wouldnt the plugins function exactly the same? Well, i would appreciate a prompt response and i thank whoever answers my question for their time. Reply soon.................

[gottago]

Welcome to SC4D! and welcome to BATting!

Gmax is an early version of 3dsMax and obviously the latest version is preferable if you have it. To use gmax to make sc4 building models you need the BAT, which is a series of scripts compiled as a plugin that modifies the program that were created by Maxis. "BAT" and "gmax" are used interchangeably, so it's a little confusing at the outset.

For later versions of 3dsMax, SimFox has created new scripts called "Bat4Max" that he has posted over at Simtropolis; search the STEX using his pseudo and you will find 2 versions for earlier and later versions of the program, and also the "LetThereBeLight" lightrig which he modded. You'll also need to slightly mod the old gmax program to export properly--and his plugin files provide the needed scripts.

[Diggis]

Enigma,  you do still need GMAX for the export process, but you can do all the modelling in 3DSMax.   As Gottago said there are scripts available for 3DSMax available, there is also a set on the LEX here from Chrisaddams that I personally prefer over simfoxs set. 

[Enigma]

well, thanks for the response, which answered my question as to whether or not its necessary to keep gmax since i have 3ds max ( i have the latest 2010 version). i wanted to save disk space by uninstalling gmax in favor of 3ds max. but since its necessary then..............oh well. perhaps i can manually delete some of gmax's program files which arent integral to the operation of gmax/bat.or is that a bad idea?

[gottago]

gmax is about half the size of 3dsMax 2010, but I wouldn't start taking things out unless you're sure you won't mess things up. Of course you can always reinstall it if it goes dead on you. In any event, you need a fully functional gmax to handle export, and you'll have to try an export render to see if your deletions have crippled it or not.

Re: Diggis' post about the ALN bat4Max by Chrisadams, I'm not sure it works for 2010, as there are some important differences between 2009 & 2010 and the earlier versions. I didn't see anything about compatibility in his readme, but you should check his development thread here for the low-down.

I just installed 2010 myself last week because SimFox has just released the new script pack for it so I could finally use it. Great program, but I haven't rendered anything yet, curious to see if I'll be stunned by the upgrade or not...

[WC_EEND]

Well, I thought you could just use 3DSMax instead of Gmax. Also, not wanting to hijack the thread here, but I'm already waiting for 6 months for my Gmax activation key. I emailed Turbosquid support about this multiple times, but I never received a reply. just my 2 cents concerning Gmax

[Enigma]

WC_EEND: thats strange, i got my activation key on the same day of installing gmax. but it wasnt automatic, i had to download and install gmax first, and when i first ran the program it provided me with a notice about the key with a clickable link on thir webpage that stated i would have to register first. so i did, and it was emailed to me. then  i just copied and pasted it into the program.

ps- you might want to try registering a bogus email address with yahoo, hotmail, etc. then use that email to register on the site and get your key. its a hell of a lot faster than waiting on turbosquid for 6 months, thats for sure. then  just shut down the new email account.

[WC_EEND]

Well Enigma, thanks a lot for solving my problem