9

1640 Chapter 16: Material Editor, Materials, and Maps
3ds Max provides several types of maps
(page 3–968). The most basic is a 2D map, a
two-dimensional image that is typically mapped
onto the surface of geometric objects.
Otherusesof2Dmapsareasenvironmentsto
create a background for the scene, as projections
from lights, and as displacements to "emboss"
geometry.
A Combustion map is a 2D map (page 2–1624).
It is a C ombustion project use d by the 3ds Max
Material Editor, so like any Combustion project,
it is vector-based, animatable, and ful ly editable.
From within the Material E ditor, you can have
Combustion create a new project from scratch, or
use an existing composite or Paint branch. You
cansynchronizetheCombustionTimelinewith
the 3ds Max time slider so animated materials
synchronize with your 3D scene.
With a Combustion map, you can paint in either
program: that is, you can paint either in the
Combustion viewport or on 3ds Max objects.
Both programs update the paint display. You a lso
have t he option of using C ombustion to paint on
an "unwr apped" projection of 3ds Max object
geometry.
In addition, with Combustion effects that require
you to pick a point, such as Lens Flare or Ripple,
you can use either program, Combustion or
3ds Max, to pick the point.
Tips for Working with a Combustion Map in
3ds Max
•Ifyouhaveadual-screenconfiguration,you
can set it up so you can see both the 3ds Max
and the Combustion windows at the same time.
Other wise, you need to use
Alt+Tab to switch
between the two windows.
• To work with Combustion, the 3ds Max object
must have mapping coordinates (page 3–967).
Primitive objects have a Generate Mapping
Coordinatestoggle,whichisautomatically
enabled when you assign a mapped material
to the object. S ome objects, such as editable
meshes, do not have a Generate Mapping
Coordinatestoggle.Forthesekindsofobjects,
go to the Modify panel and apply a UVW Map
modifier (page 1–922) .
• Sometimes it can be hard to see how the
Combustion operator is oriented to the
3dsMaxobject’smappingcoordinates. It
can help to paint some temporary strokes in
Combustiontoseehowtheyarealignedin
3ds Max viewports. Displaying the mapping
coordinates in Combustion can help. See the
procedure, "To display an unwrapped mesh." It
canalsohelptopaintdirectlyontheobjectina
3ds Max viewpor t. See the procedure, "To paint
directly on the 3D object."
Procedures
To creat e a new Combustion map:
1.
Open the Material Editor.
2. Drag an unused sample slot from the Material
Editor to the object you want to pain t.
3. In the Material Editor, click the map button for
the Diffuse Color component. This button i s on
the m aterial’s Basic Parameters rollout.
All standard materials have a Basic Parameters
rollout, whose controls vary depending on the
chosen shader. The Strauss shader has only one
color component, labeled Color.
The Material/Map Browser appears.
4. In the Material/Map Browser, choose
Combustion, and click OK.