Help | ArchVision | Support
Creating 3D+ RPCs in Autodesk 3ds Max
ArchVision Dashboard makes it easy to create 2D RPC objects in just the click of a button, but how can 3D+ RPC objects be created? Historically it was not possible. Now thanks ArchVision’s Development team this can be done. The following document will guide you through the process of taking a SketchUp Model (.skp) file and converting it into a useful 3ds Max (.obj) file and then using creator.archvision.com to generate a 3D+ RPC. This method can be applied for any textured model that you can import into 3ds Max.
Part 1: Importing the object into 3ds Max
For this tutorial the original file was a .SKP file obtained from SketchUp Warehouse.
To open it simply click on 
select Open and then locate the .skp file.
Note: Only .max files are shown by default so select All Types to reveal the .skp file.
Part 2: Render a 124 x 98px .bmp to use as the RPC’s preview file.
Go into the render dialog and set the resolution to 124 x 98 and save to .bmp. Try to generate a view that shows the image in it’s entirety. Save this image for later when we use the RPC Creation tool.
Part 3: Attach All Parts
Select the object and click go to the Modify panel. Under modify select Attach List.
Use shift and left mouse click to select all groups and then select attach.
Leave the attach options set to Match Material IDs to Material and click on Ok.
Part:4: Orient the Object
This step is important because it determines how the RPC object will be oriented when placed.
The center of the base of the object should be at 0.0.0 for the object and it should be facing north.
In 3ds Max the Z-Value is the height of the object.
Part 5: Create the Texture
Select the object and click on Rendering–>Render to Texture…
Make sure that the Render to Texture settings mirror those shown on the right.
Most important configurations are:
(Note: More details in an object require larger map sizes.)
Click on Render.
Note: The process of rendering to texture will take a while. Please be patient.
The output file should look something like this:
Note: When rendering with V-Ray select VrayCompleteMap instead of Diffuse Map to avoid render issues.
Part 6: Collapse Modifiers, Assign Channels and Export
Step 1:
In the Modifier List right click on Automatic Flatten UVs and select Collapse to.
Step 2:
In Utlitlies click on More–>Channel Info then click on the Channel Info button to access the Channel Info dialog.
3 Channels will be shown.
Right click on 3:map and copy it. Then right click on 1:map and paste 3:map onto it. Right click on 2:map and select Clear and 3:map and select Clear
The resuts should reveal only 1:map as shown to the right.
3:Map has been copied over 1:map and 2:map and 3:map have been cleared. Now, only 1:map is shown.
Step 3:
Select the object and click on Modify. Then Right click and at the top of the modifier stack click on Collapse All.
After doing so only Editable Poly should appear under the Modifer List.
Step 4:
Select the object again and click on –>Export–>Export Selected
Save the file as an .obj.
Be sure and set Faces: to Triangles instead of the default Quads value.
Part 7: Creating the 3D+ RPC
At this point in the process the 3 files required for creating an RPC should be generated. These include:
Step 1:
Go to creator.archvision.com and login.
Step 2:
Provide the following info needed to create the RPC:
Step 3:
Upload each of the files needed to create the RPC. Click submit after attaching each requested file. The upload progress is shown in the Internet browser as the file uploads. Choose the .obj file to load into Add Mesh. Selecting Y to Z will change the orientation of the coordinates of the .obj. Since we oriented the mesh to the correct coordinate system already in 3ds Max in Part 4, leave this checkbox unchecked. Use Mesh for RPC icon will automatically generate an RPC icon. Alternatively, a different .obj file can be used for the icon. Use the .jpg baked in 3ds Max for the Add Texture. Use the 124 x 98px .bmp file for Add Preview.
Note: If Use Mesh is checked the mesh is generated from the .obj file. An alternative mesh can also be loaded via the Click to Add Icon option
When the uploads complete, click on Create RPC to generate the RPC.
Click on Download to download the completed RPC.
Congratulations on Creating a 3D+ RPC!
The RPC created via this process can be used in any application supporting 3D+ RPCs.
Need help creating a 3D+ RPC? Please visit support.archvision.com.
