Will 3dStudioMax models port to Second Life?

I used to do 3d modeling nearly 2 decades ago on the amiga, using a very dated machine and got to be quite proficient at building stuff and manipulating polygons, though the rendering used to take an age.

Skip forward 20 years and we now have insanely fast computers that can destroy a primitive before you have even figured out the pulling your mouse an inch to the side wouldn't be healthy for it.

My brother has left his graphics course and bequeathed his 3dMax program to me, but before I get to grips with all this power I just want to know...is it worth it? Will what I create be able to be placed inworld? If not it seems a bit pointless relearning it and a new program just to find out it was all for nought and have to get the same done on another...

I am not too bothered about how long it will take, as I say I used to be fairly competant before Pixar came about and if it takes me several months or more to get the hang of it again I will, I just want my models to eventually be perfect...no point in producing crap that no one would buy which is why I want to make the right choice first time.

And since the best program is simply sitting there anyways, why not?

By the way, I like sniper rifles. Clean, sleek...beautiful sniper rifles so watch this space

Oh yeah, I dont know if this is covered in another section or not, but can clothes be built the same way and have gravity and wind variables added to seperate polygons later?

check out this link -

http://liferain.com/downloads/primcomposer/

this really looks like a viable option.

-v

Yeah, Prim Composer is a viable option for 3ds Max. I haven't seen a more comprehensive, one-stop, solution for a 3D app around. And it's FREE for crying out loud.

On top of that you can add Abu Nasu's work, such as his BVH export system /52/59/254674/1.html

His Sculptie Shader http://tech-slop.serveit.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sculptie_Shader_for_3DS_Max (also check out the arbitrary mesh hack http://home.comcast.net/~pixelforgeltd/Tutorial.htm)

And the Maxscript for creating UV files for his Multi Chan Hax Photoshop plugin /109/3e/281710/1.html

Here's some junk I built with Prim Composer. I baked the textures in Max before Prim Composer had the automated system it has now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16923902@N05/4034009216/sizes/o/

That stuff was done in 07-08 when I was still active in mainstream SL. Its only got better since then, what with the ability to port stuff from SL (or Open Sim) back int Max and and the introduction of oblongs. If you are willing to spend the time, the tools are there.

those look really good! I liked the scope mount I had forgotten about abu nasu's work, glad i checked back here

peace,
-v

Thanks a ot for the answers, I will just carry on with what I am doing