3d Max Question

posted on September 22nd, 2012, 1:30 pm

For the various mods that include updates to planets, how do you the rotational speed on the respective layers (surface, clouds, atmosphere). I have been trying (key word is trying) to learn Max and can't seem to get this to work properly. The concept seems simple enough: (1) create their spheres, each with their respective textures; and (2) animate each with different time hacks. For example, I created the planet earth and applied the texture. Then animated it using 4 keys, each key having a 90 degree roatation and a time hack of 600. The total annimation being 2400 and exported it out. Looked pretty good, although the rotation seemed a little jagged. Next I created a second sphere slightly larger than the surface layer and applied the cloud texture to it. I animated it using 4 keys, each having a 90 degree roation and a time hack of 250 for a total roatation of 1000. When I exported it out, the surface and clouds rotate as expected; however, the both seem to rotate at the same speed. Apparently I am not understanding the concept so any help would be appreciated.

posted on September 22nd, 2012, 5:04 pm

Is this Armada II or Armada I?

Armada II specifically has a flag for planets: relativeAtmosphereSpeed . For Armada I, I'm not certain, but if you take a look at our Fleet Ops background planets+textures it should be understandable (should use identical features).

posted on September 22nd, 2012, 9:30 pm

I assume he is adding them as background objects rather than functional planets, as AFAIK you cannot replace the default planet 3d models in Armada II (i've tried to no avail)

posted on September 22nd, 2012, 9:44 pm

Its for A1. At the moment it is just to help me learn. I hjave seen plants for varios A2 mods and the like use surface, clouds and atmosphere layers and thought they lookded great. Figured these would be easy to learn. lol

Mr. Vulan suggested it was the old 3d exporter and I then tried his. Sure enough it seems to work. Much more learning to do for sure