[v_p_vlasenko]

Hi,

seem like PF export to mxs depends on polycount of parent object somehow.

If I create PFsource with 200 particles and use teapot as instanced geometry - working fine, i see 200 teapots. But if i use some high poly tree - i see only few of them. The less polys original object have the more trees appears on render. For example, 200 particles and 900k tree as instanced geometry - there are only 4 (or 5) trees on render, if I'll use PROoptimizer on original tree and reduce polycount to 5%, there are much more trees on render. Using other objects behave same way, more polys original geometry have - less objects on render.
Creating instances by copy/paste (not PF) seems to work fine. Tested on 2012/2013, 2.7.12/2.7.20

And not sure if that fixed already - 2013 does not save IES paths/filenames. After I open scene i need to select IES again. Seems like path is truncated. Checked on 2.7.12, 2012 and 2011 have no problems with that.

[Bubbaloo]

I think it's a PF limitation. Try converting your geometry to a Maxwell Proxy, then use that as the instanced PF object.

[v_p_vlasenko]

Forgot to mention that I've tried maxwell proxy as well - not working with PF at all (any ideas?).

And seems like yes, that's a PF limitation.

There are limit 5M poly per PF mesh. Multiple meshes and mesh per particle not working with maxwell, as well as maxwell proxy...

[Bubbaloo]

Can you split it into multiple particle sources?

FYI, depending on what you are trying to achieve, you may find the Object Paint tool to be useful. I use it all the time to paint vegetation, and it works flawlessly with Maxwell proxies.

[Mihnea Balta]

Does this still happen if instead of the "shape" operator you use "shape instance"? Maxwell will export instances in that case, not the whole system as a single mesh.

[v_p_vlasenko]

Can you split it into multiple particle sources?

FYI, depending on what you are trying to achieve, you may find the Object Paint tool to be useful. I use it all the time to paint vegetation, and it works flawlessly with Maxwell proxies.

Yep, I've tried - same result, no more than 5M polys in render.

There are a lot of ways to create some things. For example i want to create forest. I can use Object Paint, or bake PF particles into objects and then replace them with maxwell proxy, or i can use Forest Pack and then convert it to instances. But none of those are procedural. If i need to change something - that will require additional steps: with forest pack i need to delete all instances (which can take a lot of time in case there are thousands of them), then make changes and convert again. With PF workflow is similar. And not sure how easily i can create entire forest using object paint.

Does this still happen if instead of the "shape" operator you use "shape instance"? Maxwell will export instances in that case, not the whole system as a single mesh.

Sure, there are no tree shape in "shape" operator. I've used shape instance.

For example, 200 particles and 900k tree as instanced geometry - there are only 4 (or 5) trees on render

may be this can be useful:
http://www.orbaz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1504

but "mesh per particle" and "multiple meshes" didn't helped me with maxwell.

For me it look simple - 200 particles that store only position and transformation of original geometry. But seems like PF working differently.

PF need to process data first, and it count all polygons, so when in reaches the 5M poly count in not export all other particles. Then maxwell exporter take particles that came out of PF and export them as instances (those 4 trees i see on render are instances, they not require additional ram, at least i didn't noticed that).

So, support of "mesh per particle" or "multiple meshes" should be added to maxwell exporter.

Not sure if it happens such way... just guessing.

P.S. I forgot that I've tried PF instancing with another render that support it. Double checked that few min ago. Everything working fine with any amount of particles and any poly count, and without setting "mesh per particle" or "multiple meshes", so may be something wrong in maxwell exporter? May be some different approach to PF needed?

[raduc]

Hi victor,

For the IES issue, do you by any chance have unicode characters in the path or filename?
As for the PF one, I've tried mesh smoothing a teapot to 500k polys and all particles get exported and rendered (Max 2013), can you send me a simple test scene ?

[v_p_vlasenko]

That's really strange, for me it not working... and seem I've been wrong, exported PF particles aren't instances.
Here are link for a very simple scene:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/825018/Forums/PF_test.zip
with those settings there are only 20 teapots on render.

About IES, no, the path and filename is ok. No unicode and working in 2011/2012.

[raduc]

That's really strange, for me it not working... and seem I've been wrong, exported PF particles aren't instances.
Here are link for a very simple scene:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/825018/Forums/PF_test.zip
with those settings there are only 20 teapots on render.

About IES, no, the path and filename is ok. No unicode and working in 2011/2012.

Thanks for the scene, both issues will be fixed in the next build.