Tutorials - Exporting models from MAX

Using the 'TpmExp For Max' export script we'll export the model to .tpm format, which we can edit later with TPDC.

Step 1
	To run the export script go to the "Utilities" tab in MAX, and click on the "MaxScript" button. A new rollout will apear. Click on "Run Script" in the MaxScript rollout. Now browse to the folder where you have the script installed, select it and click on "Open".
Step 2
	The export script is now loaded and added to the dropdown list on the MaxScript rollout. Select the item named "TPM Exporter". The export script rollout apears. Most often you can leave the options checked, or hide all objects that you don't want to export. Click on "Export Scene...", browse to the folder where you also have the textures stored of the scene models and save the file. If all went well an confirmation message will be shown.

Extra notes
If for some reason something does go wrong while exporting you'll get some error warnings. Most often thats due to unsupported objects in the scene. The export script ignores most of the objects that it cannot export, but unfortunately its hard to predict what the script could come across so it is by no means fool-proof, but stable enough to export most simple scenes.

Whenever the MaxScript fails, close the TPM Exporter rollout, reload the script (repeat Step 1) and hide objects that are not Editable Meshes, or collapse objects to Editable Meshes and try again. It may also be necessary to restart (not reset!) MAX to solve problems with MaxScript in some cases.

Next tutorial: Rigging creatures with TPDC

Copyright © by Martijn Buijs.