topic Re: Using 3dsmax Templates to fill Material Editor for different render engines in 3ds Max Forum

Using 3dsmax Templates to fill Material Editor for different render engines

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 03:00:06 GMT

So, I use Vray, Corona and Fstorm on different projects I work on, so I thought it would make sense to create a simple template for each in the 3dsmax Template manager.

I created a Max file which is set up with my render settings, and a full material editor of common materials.

However, When I use the startup template, I uses the Default MATLIB, and not the one from the Template Max file.

Does anyone know how I would go about getting each template to open with its own matlib?

Thanks!

Re: Using 3dsmax Templates to fill Material Editor for different render engines

Alfred.DeFlaminis — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 23:03:26 GMT

Hello @Anonymous and welcome to the community,

This was tricky as the default materials aren't considered part of the workspace currently. There is a thread here where I created a script to help with this. Took some trial and error to figure it out. It's a bit of a workaround, it loads in materials from an existing material library into the current active material editor slots as a startup script on workspace open. You may have to customize the last 3 or 6 lines (you'll see the pattern when you open the script file). I'll help if you run into trouble but none of that would count as 'official' scripts by Autodesk, just a guy trying to help.

Keep in mind that this would make a good Feature Request because I openly admit my solution was a bit of a 'hack'. Better programmers than me might know a more elegant method but I wanted to try to help you here as best I could until this is a standard feature.

Best Regards,

Re: Using 3dsmax Templates to fill Material Editor for different render engines

Alfred.DeFlaminis — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 00:38:07 GMT

Hello @Anonymous,

I just wanted to follow up here, any thoughts on my previous post? Thanks for the update!

Best Regards,

Re: Using 3dsmax Templates to fill Material Editor for different render engines

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 03:44:35 GMT

Hi Alfred,

Sorry, I've been caught up with work and hadn't had a chance to test your script solution.

I have now, though, and it's an acceptable workaround, so thank you for that! Though it boggles my mind as to why templates would be missing such a simple feature.

Your script solution does indeed work, but I've actually found it simpler to pin my custom max files to my "open" menu and disable the startup manager.

I'll put in a feature request anyway, because I think it would be useful and wouldn't be hard to implement.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Evan

Re: Using 3dsmax Templates to fill Material Editor for different render engines

Alfred.DeFlaminis — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 18:17:36 GMT

Thanks for the update @Anonymous. If you do post the request please put a link here and that should help it get some traction. Thanks!

Best Regards,

Re: Using 3dsmax Templates to fill Material Editor for different render engines

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 06:04:33 GMT

Here is my feature request link;
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-ideas/enable-template-manager-to-save-material-library-per-template/idi-p/7506830

Cheers,

Evan

Re: Using 3dsmax Templates to fill Material Editor for different render engines

Alfred.DeFlaminis — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 17:50:31 GMT

Thank you for posting that, voted!

Best Regards,