By marsupilami
#253419
I am using Revit-DWG-VIZ2008 with File Linking. The problem is that on every file reload, even if the file has not changed, all material assignements are lost. It is acceptable to do the material assignement for Maxwell once (Architectural Materials are not translated), but the assignments should remain intact.
(the same files work with Mental Ray, but not with the Maxwell Plug 1.6)

My thought:
It would be nice to be able to set up a file with assignements/Maxwell Materials defined, just attach the DWG and have VIZ/Maxwell take the architectural material's name and use the MW material instead, kind of like a material table that just assigns architectural materials to Maxwell materials.

Thomas
By JTB
#253456
I'm a Revit user too, I have the same problems... I think that the material names should never change... If my Revit->arch mat. is BrickWall then this name should always remain the same.
By Bogdan Coroi
#253470
Could any of you guys please describe the File Link problem workflow to the point Maxwell ignores the material assigments? If possible, a test scene would be great too. Thanks.
By JTB
#253492
Open MAX, link a dwg from Revit.... All mats are architectural.
From mat editor, get material, from scene, change to maxwell mat and import or browse library to find what to use. Assign, save and exit MAX.
Change something to the dwg (copy, move etc.)
Open Max.
Open the file with the dwg linked. Go to Link File Manager, go to Reload, Advanced, check the two "Use Scene....." and check the materials (mat editor, get material, from scene). There is only the name of the maxwell material, not the initial arch. material.

I am in a hurry now, but I will prepare an example later.
By marsupilami
#253499
I confirm the observations from JTB.

You can get maxwell materials to be used with the name of the architectural material within one session, but eventually the material name will "mutate" to the Maxwell material name and on every reload of the file, all material assignements are lost.

I try to build a small test case, should I email this one directly to you, Bogdan?

Thomas
By Bogdan Coroi
#253507
JTB, thanks for the steps.
marsupilami, sure.
By Bogdan Coroi
#253582
JTB and marsupilami, on reloading time, does it work if you ONLY use "Use Scene Material Assignments on Reload" check?
By marsupilami
#253589
No, here it doesn't matter.
However, it lookes like this is the behaviour:
- you assing materials, render, all fine
- you reload the same file, the preview changes to archmat, you do not touch anything, hit render, all fine
- as soon as you do something else or save or reopen the same file, assignements are gone, render is not ok.

I have sent a small test case directly by mail.
By Bogdan Coroi
#253591
Received. Thanks. I'll have a look.
By JTB
#253745
marsupilami wrote:No, here it doesn't matter.
However, it lookes like this is the behaviour:
- you assing materials, render, all fine
- you reload the same file, the preview changes to archmat, you do not touch anything, hit render, all fine
- as soon as you do something else or save or reopen the same file, assignements are gone, render is not ok.

I have sent a small test case directly by mail.
Sorry, this is not what I mean, I think it is not an assignment problem, it is a naming problem.... I will prepare a detailed report.
By marsupilami
#253749
Of course, JTB is right, I am not so familiar with VIZ 2008 and naming conventions in the Autodesk world, and after looking into it a bit more,
I agree that without name changes of the materials, it should work -in theory.
Hoewer I am not seing the same thing happening on my machine as Bogdan sees on his machine....
By JTB
#253802
marsupilami wrote:Of course, JTB is right, I am not so familiar with VIZ 2008 and naming conventions in the Autodesk world, and after looking into it a bit more,
I agree that without name changes of the materials, it should work -in theory.
Hoewer I am not seing the same thing happening on my machine as Bogdan sees on his machine....
Mail me your e-mail add and I will send you what I sent to Bogdan
By Bogdan Coroi
#253818
The problem was related to material names.

VIZ/3dsmax File Link Mechanism uses material names to keep valid links between .dwg and .max materials.

Whenever one uses "Browse Library" or "Import MXM" from a Maxwell material, the newly imported maxwell material will change the actual name with its own one. In this point, a File Link Reload of a changed dwg won't work anymore, since it cannot match material names.

The next update will fix this by letting the user choose if he wants or not to import the material name too when using "Browser Libraray" or "Import MXM".

Thanks JTB and marsupilami for your help in tracking down this issue.

after a lot of years doing arch-viz... almost 20 a[…]

render engines and Maxwell

Funny, I think, that when I check CG sites they ar[…]

Hey, I guess maxwell is not going to be updates a[…]

Help with swimming pool water

Hi Choo Chee. Thanks for posting. I have used re[…]