http://www.Crytek.com/CryENGINE. Crytek developed tools specific for use with Max that makes asset development and exporting simple. Once extracted, you’ll need to run the SettingsMgr.Exe file located in the Tools folder under the CryENGINE 3 root directory. The Settings Manager will open and there you’ll need to change the Engine Tab’s root directory to the correct path on your hard drive. 3ds Max will use this path during startup. If the Manager locates the RC.EXE (Resource Compiler.exe) file in the root directory, it will say so and turn the Engine State light green.
PRODUCT FOCUS
3ds Max 2013-2015
INSTALLING THE PLUG-INS The CryENGINE 3 plug-ins are specifically designed to help export source assets in an optimized format. Located in the Tools folder in the CryENGINE 3 directory you’ll find several CryExport**. dlu files. You’ll want to select the appropriate plugin for your version of 3ds Max and copy the file into your Max Plug-ins directory (ensure Max is closed). Versions are listed below: CryExport10.dlu = 3ds Max 2008 CryExport11.dlu = 3ds Max 2009 CryExport 12.dlu = 3ds Max 2010 CryExport13.dlu = 3ds Max 2011 CryExport14.dlu = 3ds Max 2012 CryExport15.dlu = 3ds Max 2013 Figure 2: “Demon” created by Truong
INSTALLATION AND SETUP To begin, you’ll need to download and extract the CryENGINE 3 Sandbox SDK (Software Development Kit) from Crytek by visiting:
I’ve found that CryExport15.dlu appears to work sufficiently for Max 2014. If you are running a 64-bit operation, you’ll want to use the plugins suffixed with “_64.” The developers at Crytek also have provided scripts to assist with development in the typical Maxscript format that can be located in the Tools/CryMaxTools/ folder. To install them, users simply need to copy the LoadCryMaxTools.ms file into their Max scripts/Startup folder. To remove them, simply remove the file.
DIRECTORY STRUCTURE CryENGINE 3 Sandbox has a specific directory structure that allows the use to update assets on the fly. For your first asset, you’ll need to create a subfolder called “Objects” (case sensitive) located inside the Game folder in the CryENGINE 3 Root directory. Inside that newly created subfolder, you’ll want to create another folder called “MyFirstObject.” This is where you’ll want to store your Max file.
CRYENGINE EXPORTER TAB
Figure 3: CryENGINE settings manager September 2014
Once the settings manager has been updated with the appropriate path and the plug-in file is copied into the 3ds Max plug-ins folder, you can start up 3ds Max. You’ll notice that the CryENGINE 3 Settings Manager will launch with each new session of 3ds Max. Simply select save and it will close. We’ll need to add the CryExport tools to your button sets to continue. Navigate to the www.augiworld.com
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