====== Falcon 4 3DS to LOD Exporter ======

[[https://www.pmctactical.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=47|Falcon 4.0 Forum]], [[:falcon4|Falcon 4 Home]], [[falcon4:campaign|Falcon 4 Campaign]], [[falcon4:cockpits|Falcon 4 Cockpits]], [[falcon4:database|Falcon 4 Database]], [[falcon4:file_formats|Falcon 4 File Formats]], [[falcon4:srtm|Falcon 4 SRTM Terrain]], [[falcon4:terrain|Falcon 4 Terrain]], [[falcon4:textures|Falcon 4 Textures]], [[falcon4:tools|Falcon 4 Tools]]

**Falcon 4 3DS to LOD Exporter** by WaveyDave

This file is a command line utility to convert .3DS models to a Falcon 4 standard LOD files.

The exporter is made up of a number of different plug-ins. There is the export plug-in, this takes the geometry data from the scene and saves it in Falcon 4 format. In addition to the export plug-in a number of modifiers and helpers were created, these are used to emulate some of the functionality of the Falcon 4 file format so it could be exported by the exporter.

The exporter is compatible with 3D Studio Max versions 4 and 5.


====== Features ======

  * Nested DOF's.
  * Extended DOF support.
  * Switch and XSwitch.
  * Per vertex colour.
  * Colour match, matches RGB to Falcon colour.
  * Texture coordinates.
  * Texture list added to root node.
  * Smoothing groups used the generate shading normals.
  * Model layout shown in schematic view.


====== Usage ======

Check out these video guides by WaveyDave.

[[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/tutorials/Setup.wmv|Checking plugin installation and setting up MAX]]

[[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/tutorials/Root.wmv|Setting up a root helper]]

[[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/tutorials/Switch%20Intro.wmv|Describing the Switch Helper]]

[[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/tutorials/DOF%20Intro.wmv|Describing the DOF Helper]]

[[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/tutorials/DOF%201.wmv|Using the DOF Helper]]

[[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/tutorials/DOF%202.wmv|Setting up a rudder DOF]]

[[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/tutorials/FullDemo.wmv|Setting up a model with Root and DOF's]]

These video tutorials can be found in [[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/tutorials.html|this]] page.

Also download [[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/3ds2lod_UserGuide.pdf|User guide]] and [[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/3ds2lod_SetupGuide.pdf|Setup guide]] PDF files from WaveyDave's page.


====== Notes ======

Download from [[https://www.pmctactical.org/f4/downloads.php|PMC Tactical Falcon 4 Downloads]] page or from WaveyDave's homepage [[http://www.zen20633.zen.co.uk/d/3dsmax/3ds2lod/download.html|here]].