Hi all, first time in this forum :) Just a broad question: when making meshes (models, objects?) in something like 3DS Max, are there any rules on controlling mesh/model/object scale? A bit of waffle: I am rendering objects in a 3D environment, and aplying the same scaling to all. If I had an X-Wing and a SSD, would the scale be controlled through the design process in 3DS Max, or through the "game engine"? Any thoughts or backstory to the idea of scale would be welcome - if I am in the wrong forum, please let me know! Thanks all.

Quote: Original post by masterchefuk
Hi all, first time in this forum :)

Just a broad question: when making meshes (models, objects?) in something like 3DS Max, are there any rules on controlling mesh/model/object scale?

A bit of waffle: I am rendering objects in a 3D environment, and aplying the same scaling to all. If I had an X-Wing and a SSD, would the scale be controlled through the design process in 3DS Max, or through the "game engine"?

Any thoughts or backstory to the idea of scale would be welcome - if I am in the wrong forum, please let me know!

Thanks all.

3ds max has a grid, each grid block is an increment, these increments can be changed in the preferences. so each grid block could be set to be 1 meter, 1 inch...etc. default 3ds max is setup to use 3ds max's generic units but you can change them to whatever you want. then simply model using the grid lines as guides.
some game engines do allow scaling of the meshes... but it is not often and it is best to model everything to scale in the modeling app according to the engine standards.

Some engines allow scaling at 'run-time', but some games allow you to scale at 'compile-time': when the model and it's associated data is compiled into a game-specific format. This, of course, depends on the tools that come with the game.

Anyway, if you can support models scaling, go for it. There's nothing wrong with it. Personally, I would model everything on the same scale though, or every group of similar objects at the same scale: obviously, space ships should be modelled at a different scale than light fittings and chairs, but for clarity's sake it's probably best to keep every space ship at the same scale.

Thanks for the replies :)

On the topic of scaling while making the model...

What happens when you have say an X-Wing at roughly 12 meters long, and larger ships at over a kilometer long? maybe even tens of kilometers. Is that a situation in which scaling in the engine would be a necessity? or can modelling software cope with this.

Thanks again.

Quote: Original post by masterchefuk
Thanks for the replies :)

On the topic of scaling while making the model...

What happens when you have say an X-Wing at roughly 12 meters long, and larger ships at over a kilometer long? maybe even tens of kilometers. Is that a situation in which scaling in the engine would be a necessity? or can modelling software cope with this.

Thanks again.

the modeling space in a 3d modeling program is infinite, it can easily cope with that. just so you understand, you can model some car with increments of say, feet and model, then if you need to model a road change the increments to say, miles and model. that way it is easier on you and still be accurate.