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gmax object visibility

S

samuelchan501

Messages
23
Can I set the visibility range of objects with gmax ?
how to set ? is it use the LOD function ?
Anyone please help me as I am very new to gmax...
 
Hi Samuel.

If you are making MDL files for FS9, then use Arno's MDLTweaker ( distance to refpoint ). For example 0, 1F4 is a distance of 0 to 500 meters ( 1F4 is hex for 500 decimal ).

Dick
 
thank you dick,
I have tried the mdltweak, I input "1F4" in the variable, min number "0" and max number "500", after compiled bgl files, I went into FS2004 but I can't see the object I created, did I do something mistake ? please help
 
Yes, you made a mistake.

MDLTweaker.JPG


Dick
 
Thank you Dick,
but I still have problem using mdltweak, I am wondering if it has limitation of the mdl file size it input ? My original mdl file is over 300Kb, in which its content covers quite a large area, so when I click "Apply" in the mdltweak program, it hangs for over 5 mins and doesn't respond, what can I do ?
 
Hi Samuel.

Arno's on vacation, but he's the one who made the program...

Here's essentially what the ASM code would look like ( found in *_0.asm ):

Code: 
bgl_riff_start__20_Meter_Cube	label	BGLCODE
    db	'B','G','L',' '
    dd	bgl_riff_end__20_Meter_Cube - $ - 4
LOD_0__20_Meter_Cube	label	BGLCODE

; NonAlpha
_20_Meter_Cube_NonAlpha label BGLCODE

    ; Node 1 - MasterScale transform:

     BGL_SET_MATRIX_INDIRECT	0

; Here's the controll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IFIN1  _MyExit, RBIAS1, 0, 2000d

    BGL_CALL_32 _20_Meter_Cube_MasterScale_1        ; Node 1 - MasterScale

_MyExit label BGLCODE
    BGL_END
    BGL_RETURN


_20_Meter_Cube_MasterScale_1 label BGLCODE

    ; Node 2 - MasterUnitConversion transform:

     BGL_SET_MATRIX_INDIRECT	1

    ; Node 3 - RotateAroundX transform:

     BGL_SET_MATRIX_INDIRECT	2
    MATERIAL 0 ; <88,199,225,255> 
    DRAW_TRI_BEGIN 0, 24
    DRAW_TRI    2,   7,  18 ; poly=1 part=4
    DRAW_TRI   18,  13,   2 ; poly=2 part=4
    DRAW_TRI    5,  16,  21 ; poly=3 part=4
    DRAW_TRI   21,  10,   5 ; poly=4 part=4
    DRAW_TRI    1,  12,  15 ; poly=5 part=4
    DRAW_TRI   15,   4,   1 ; poly=6 part=4
    DRAW_TRI   14,  20,  23 ; poly=7 part=4..........



; Here's the controll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IFIN1 _MyExit, RBIAS1, 0, 2000d

BGL_CALL_32 _20_Meter_Cube_MasterScale_1 ; Node 1 - MasterScale

_MyExit label BGLCODE
BGL_END
BGL_RETURN

I added the code that is bolded. It directs the code around the BGL_CALL_32 and exits the MDL if the range from the object is NOT 0-2000 meters. ( Note we can use decimal here, rather than Hex by suffixing a number with "d" ).

If you wish to hand tweak the ASM code, this should help. You'll need to download BGLC_9 to compile the tweak. See the forum: BGLC editing .


Dick
 
Last edited:
Hi !
Thanks Dick,
When I compile the asm file, it says that the "IFNOTIN syntax error", it seems that the "IFNOTIN" is wrong...any other suggestion ?
 
I think it should read: IFNOTIN1
By the way,I didn't know there was a command like this until this day, so thanks :cool:

Jeff
 
Hi Jeffrey.

Yes. Thanks for correcting the typo. IFNOTIN1 would have been right... but it should actually be IFIN1... so I have edited the above code. :)

Dick
 
Last edited:
Hi Jeffery,

If you can sent me the MDL file that hangs, I can see if I can debug MDLTweaker (you can also attach the file here on the forum).
 
Oops :o , I did. Well, at least the person with the problem :D.
 
Hi,

I made an isle in gmax with 2m/pix resolution textures. It looks good but it disappears at around 15/20 miles. Is there a way to increase that value ?
I tried previous post suggest

IFIN1 _MyExit, RBIAS1, 0, 40000d...

but no result. Is there a max visibility range value for object in FS9 ?
Thanks
 
Hi Delfino,

No, there is no way to increase the maximum distance of a 3D object. This is something limited by the scenery engine.

In general 3D objects will never be 20 km big of course, so the best thing you can probably try is to split it into a number of smaller objects.
 
Hi Arno, thanks for reply

in the attached screens the Capri isle and 3 points radius at which the isle disappears. As you can see the isle is smaller than 20 km, but it's not visibile at long distance as it should be :( . It seems also that max vis distance it's not always the same.
I know: as you often stated, 3d object is not intended to simulate terrain!

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • capri.jpg
    capri.jpg
    83.2 KB · Views: 500
  • capri2.jpg
    capri2.jpg
    99.2 KB · Views: 610
Yep, you are right there. If you want an object with a bigger visibility you need to use mesh techniques for example. But that will not look this good of course (the screen looks very nice :)).

For 3D objects there is just a maximum visibility in the scenery engine and you can't do anything about it.
 
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