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View Full Version : 3D Max: Make Animations with XNA Lara Models Tutorial


irishhips
22-09-11, 14:21
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4883/logosli.png

What you need:

3D Max (you can download the 30 days trial version from here (http://usa.autodesk.com/3ds-max/))
A XNA lara model (I'm using FMV Lara for the tutorial)
PC XNA Lara Converter Script (Find it here (http://www.tombraiderforums.com/showpost.php?p=5415379&postcount=1))
Hide and Show Bones Script (Get it here (http://www.sendspace.com/file/mppzky))


Right Let's get started...

1. Open 3D Max....

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/9434/unled1large.jpg


2. Now go to MAXScript on top menu bar, selcet Run Script.

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/9291/unled2large.jpg


3. Now select PC XNA Lara Converter Script...

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4956/unled3largesmall.jpg


4. Then a new window will open, you will go and look for your Model you want to use. When you found the folder for it, select the generic_item.mesh file. It will take a few seconds to load it.

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6205/unled4largesmall.jpg


5. Right, the model is loaded. But we can't see the head...

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/5969/unled5large.jpg


6. So use the tools which are mark in red....to rotate and zoom the frame.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/474/unled6large.jpg


7. Now we want to see the model more clearly so, hold down "ALT" and press "W".

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5625/unled7large.jpg


8. Now....it a problem, the bones are covering up her face, but we don't want to delete them. So we'll hide them, go to maxscript, run script and select Hide and Show Bones script.

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/7584/unled8large.jpg


9. Then tick the the box beside bones. This make bones disappear, they not gone, they still and invisible.

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/860/unled9largesmall.jpg

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/4930/unled10large.jpg


10. Lara has no textures this will happen will most models....so we have to apply it manually. So go to the model's folder. Then select a texture (I selected the eye) then drag it into 3D Max, and drop it on part where the texture should go.

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6044/unled12large.jpg

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8632/unled13large.jpg


11. Keep doing untill all part are coverd. Bear in mind most of time, will you have to guess where the textures go.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8949/unled14large.jpg


12. I'm gonna deleted the gun in her hands since I don't need it at the moment. So select the gun and press delete.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5340/unled15large.jpg


13. It animating time....!!! So go to the " Set Key" button which is at the button beside the big key. Press it and things will go red. This way the timeline is set for animating

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1324/unled16large.jpg



12. Now go to the icon marked in the picture

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/4231/unled3large.jpg


13. This will open a window which a list of bones....now we'll pick a bone, for now "Left Shoulder 2"

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2461/unled2lh.jpg

14. Now it selected and we want rotate it...so go to the icon marked in picture, press it, a circle will appear on her shoulder....

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/8781/unled4large.jpg

15. Press and hold the green circle and drag it down, this will bring her whole arem to her side. Then we want to make sure it it stays there....press the big key (marked in image) This make a marker in the time line. (marked in image)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5969/unled5large.jpg

16. Once you learn that, you can move other parts of the body. But remember, always make a marker once you posed the bones.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/474/unled6large.jpg

17. Now to animate the movement.....say, the head....move the bar (marked in image) to 50 in the timeline.

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4231/unled3large.jpg

18. Select the upper neck, rotate to the right and make a marker. Same goes for the eyes.

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5625/unled7large.jpg


19. And press play...now you see the movement.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8781/unled4large.jpg


20. Now to render it and save it. Go to render on top menu bar, select render setup.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7584/unled8large.jpg



21. Changed the setting to what marked in the picture...then press file.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/7140/unled1de.jpg


22. Here you will save it in AVI format which I usually use....

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/5723/unled11uc.jpg


23. You changed the keyframe for smoother movement...just changed from 15 to 30, then Press Ok. Then go back to Render setup and press Render

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8915/unled5hz.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/9506/unled2sb.jpg


24. This will render the animation to AVI, and you're done.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9804/unled13a.jpg





So That's basic part of animating....it take practrice and getting use to it. Soon I will teach to make lighting and shadows effects at a later date.

robbie_rawr
22-09-11, 16:15
Im quite interested to see how this goes. :D

grotesque
22-09-11, 19:05
Hope see full tutorial soon!

irishhips
22-09-11, 19:07
Hope see full tutorial soon!You will...not much left to do....

XNALaraFanatic
24-09-11, 08:13
You will...not much left to do....
great tutorial looking forward to part 2.

TRDaz
25-09-11, 09:28
This will come in handy since I think I will be getting 3DS Max soon :D

irishhips
28-09-11, 18:18
Second part has been added. :D

grotesque
28-09-11, 22:15
Thanks irishhips!
I try just now!

XNALaraFanatic
29-09-11, 03:27
Second part has been added. :D

So THAT'S how you manipulate the bones :D thanks much!

grotesque
06-10-11, 23:47
I'm trying some animation, and I have a question!
I want "freeze" a pose, how I do it?
Here the link for video (really "beta", only little animation for arms for now :D )

Video (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21512939/AnWip.rar)

irishhips
07-10-11, 09:13
I'm trying some animation, and I have a question!
I want "freeze" a pose, how I do it?
Here the link for video (really "beta", only little animation for arms for now :D )

Video (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21512939/AnWip.rar)well you need to make a camera first which is not covered yet....plus in term of freezing...you deal with the camera first, then animate the last part of lara.

sample of rotating camera

ds7NtmYCzvY

grotesque
07-10-11, 14:34
So, first I have to animate the camera and after Lara?

irishhips
07-10-11, 15:16
So, first I have to animate the camera and after Lara?Animate the first part of lara, then the camera and then the last part of lara

grotesque
08-10-11, 02:00
Animate the first part of lara, then the camera and then the last part of lara

Ok, I try next day! (I see your video in you tube!)

Alex Fly
09-10-11, 16:55
Very useful tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to do it ! I might give it a try soon. :tmb:

karadaniano
14-02-12, 22:25
may i ask, wich is the lara model you used for the tutorial?
also will you include how to set the bumpmapping and specular lights in the tutorial?

irishhips
15-02-12, 09:40
may i ask, wich is the lara model you used for the tutorial?
also will you include how to set the bumpmapping and specular lights in the tutorial?gBQ4XuS_dIg

milance941
15-02-12, 10:33
gBQ4XuS_dIg

I have a problem. I can't find right light for my render. It's model with environment. How do I turn on Ambient Occlusion?

irishhips
15-02-12, 10:35
I have a problem. I can't find right light for my render. It's model with environment. How do I turn on Ambient Occlusion?No idea...I never use that.

milance941
15-02-12, 10:38
No idea...never use that.

I think this tutorial would help me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HR_nS746RA&feature=related

irishhips
15-02-12, 11:07
Ambient Occlusion turned on

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8774/qwertya.jpg

thunderboba
05-08-12, 19:07
Where is Part 2? Sorry, I'm new to this website and I'm really confused :P

Also, when I go to rotate my selected bone, the actual bone doesn't move but the textures on it do. Do you know how I can fix this?