In the previous lessons we work only with sample texture/material with only color glued to an object.

But we always have more complex textures with designs etc.

To work with more complex textures (and objects) we need to download a free plugin for 3ds max: the Texporter from: this page.

To install the Texporter you only need to copy the texporter3.dlu file to the C:\3dsmax\plugin folder.

In this lesson/demo we will design and apply a texture to a simple "man" created in our old Basic kit world

Lets go step by step:

Creating a UVW Map

1 - Select the object (our "man") and click the Modify button.

2 - In the Modifier List click UVW Map.

3 - In the Parameters rollout select Cylindrical

Creating the "Basic Map"

Now we will work using the Texporter plugin.

4 - Click the Utilities button.

5 - Click More and select the Texporter plugin.

6 - In the Parameters rollout click Pick Object and, in the Perspective viewport select the object (our "man").

7 - A new windows appear: the Basic map. You need to save it: mymap.bmp can be a name. IMPORTANT: Use the 8 bits palette - 256 colors.

Design of the texture

You can use the design editor that you like. In our demo we have used the simple Paint.

8 - Modify the basic map as you like and resave.

Applying the texture

Back to 3ds max

9 - Open the Material Editor and select a free slot.

10 - At the Maps rollout click in the None button in the Diffuse Color line.

11 - In th new window (Material/Map Browser) doubleclick Bitmap and find our mymap.bmp file. It will go to the slot.

12 - Use the Assign Material to Selection button as usual.

We can mix this type of textures with basic colors, changing the percentage in the Diffuse Color line.

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