Readme file for 3ds Max 2018 January 2019 This plug-in enables 3ds Max to write EPix files and panorama files for use by Piranesi (TM). It works with 3ds Max 2018. Plug-ins for other versions are available from our web site http://www.piranesi.co.uk/plugins_3dsmax.html To add the EPix plug-in: ************************ 1) Copy the saveepix.bmi file to the Plugins directory e.g. C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2018\stdplugs 2) Start 3ds Max 2018 To run 3ds Max, you use Autodesk / Change Graphics Mode on the Start menu and select "Legacy OpenGL". If you want to check that the plugin is present, On the Customize menu, click Plug-in Manager and look for saveepix.bmi ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To save an image as an EPix file: 1) Ensure that every object in the image is named or has been assigned a named material. 2) Select the view to save. 3) On the Rendering menu, click Render Setup ... 4) Click the Files... button in the Common Parameters section. The Render Output File window is displayed. 5) Select the folder in which you want to create the new file and type a name for the new EPix file. 6) Select 'EPix Image File (*.epx)' from the drop-down list of file types. 7) Click Save. 8) Click Render in the Render Setup window. The EPix file is created. If you have problems rendering the RGB, render the RGB to a PNG image file using your preferred renderer, then overlay it onto the EPix file in Piranesi (see "Known Issues" below). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Known Issues with EPix Generation ********************************* The Material channel in the EPix file uses the names and diffuse colours of materials, and uses the names and colours of objects without materials. If an unnamed object has no material, a name of the form "Unnamed 1" is generated. The plug-in may not work with third-party renderers. If you have problems rendering the RGB for the EPix file: - render the view to a PNG image file, the same size as the EPix render - open the EPix file in Piranesi - use File/Import to import the PNG - use File/Re-Render If the depths and materials are not rendered correctly either, try selecting the Default Scanline renderer to render the EPix file, then use import the PNG file as above. 3ds Max divides facets into triangles for rendering. In an EPix file produced from an anti-aliased rendering, the pixels on the edges of these triangles do not have the correct depths for Piranesi. We therefore recommend generating perspective views without anti-aliasing. If you want to use an anti-aliased RGB channel: 1) In 3ds Max: a) render the scene with anti-aliasing turned off, to an EPix file b) now render the same scene with anti-aliasing switched on, to an image file, for example to PNG format Make sure you have the same view and resolution as the EPix file. 2) In Piranesi: a) open the EPix file b) use File->Import to import the image file This will replace the RGB channel in the EPix file. c) use File->Re-Render to replace the original RGB channel with the imported one d) save the file ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer ********** The Software is being delivered to you AS IS and Informatix Inc. (Informatix) makes no warranty as to its use or performance. INFORMATIX AND ITS SUPPLIERS DO NOT AND CANNOT WARRANT THE PERFORMANCE OR RESULTS YOU MAY OBTAIN BY USING THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION. INFORMATIX AND ITS SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL INFORMATIX OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS OR LOST SAVINGS, EVEN IF AN INFORMATIX REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY THIRD PARTY. Contacting us ************* Please visit our website at: http://www.piranesi.co.uk Or you can contact us by email at: info@piranesi.co.uk COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK INFORMATION ********************************* Piranesi is a registered trademark of Informatix Inc. in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and other countries. Piranesi is the subject of the following patents: US-6226000 EP-0870284 JP-3837162 Autodesk, AutoCAD and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries.