9

902 Glossary
3D Map
A pattern generated procedurally in three
dimensions. A 3D map does not requir e mapping
coordinates in order to render. However, a 3D
map will appear in viewports only if the object to
whichitisappliedhasmappingcoordinates.See
3D Maps (page 2–1662)
3DS and PR J Files
3DS is the 3D Studio R4 mesh-file format and PRJ
is the 3D Studio R4 (for DOS) project-file format.
You can import both these types of files into the
software, as well as DXF and SHP files. You c an
export 3DS files and DXF files.
See also
Importing 3DS Files (page 3–530)
Importing PRJ Files (page 3–531)
Exporting to 3D S (page 3–532)
Impor ting PRJ and 3DS Files
When you import a 3DS file, you get the following:
• B ackgrounds (solid, gradient, and bitmap).
• Fog, Layered Fog, and Distance Cue.
•Ambientlightlevel.
• Subtrac tive transparency is converted to "Filter"
transparency, and the filter color is set equal to
the diffuse color.
• Transparency falloff settings.
• All map channels that are enabled. Map
channels that are turned off in the .3ds file do
not import.
• All map parameters, including UV t r ansforms,
Negative, Mirror , and Rotation. Some Map
Parameters such as Blur, Luma, and RGB and
Alpha work much differently. These values are
converted to new values that produce a simi lar
effect.
• Mask bitmaps are imported as a m ask texture.
•WhenmaterialswithbothTexture1and
Texture 2 are imported, a composite texture is
createdandaddedtotheStandardmaterial’s
Diffuse channel.
• Reflection maps, auto-cubics and mirrors.
• A utomatic reflection map Nth frame and Map
Size settings.
• SXP t r anslation for Marble and Noise materials.
• 3 DS/DOS IK joint parameters.
• 3DSurfer patch data.
The following information is not imported from
a3DSfile:
•Morphkeys
• Keyf ramer instances
• Map channels that are turned off
•Custom.CUB-formatcubicmaps
• D ecal transparency using the RGB color of the
upper-left pixel of the map
WhenyouimportaPRJfile,yougetallofthe
above, pl us Shapes.
Expor ting to 3DS Files
The following r u les determine what is expor ted
to the 3DS format:
• Position, Rotation, and Sc ale animation. If the
controller is a TCB controller, the TCB, Ease
In, and Ease Out values are also saved. If the
controllerisanyothertypeofkeycontroller,the
keys are saved but the tangent information is
lost. If the controller is not a key controller, only
the object’s transformation at frame 0 is saved.
• Basic material color/parameters f rom the
Standard m aterial.