Having trouble with CG Tutorials Pillar of computer graphics site - help, please?

[AlienBZ]

In the past when I had my old laptop (a windows PC running XP, a P4 CPU) I used to be able to access whatever tut I needed for a photoshop project with no problems whatsoever.

 

But right after I got my Mac Book Pro (and even on my newer Windows PC's incl. 2 running XP, one running Win 7) which was in July 2009 and afterward, I had problems accessing whatever tut I needed for a photoshop project (this started right after I got my mac in 2009) and I now continue to have this same problem on my windows PC's -

 

Problem - I do a search (by inputting "skeleton" in the search box & select "autodesk 3DS max" in the next search box and then click go - this is what I used to do in the past prior to getting my macbook pro in '09) of whatever project I'm interested in (today its modeling a skeleton in 3DS Max)

 

results I get now - but my search brings up random tutorials on unrelated (actually irrelevant tuts) tuts that have nothing to do with the project (creating skeleton in max), and its says "showing results 0 to 20 out of ~18800" at the top of the results page, but when I click on page 2, or 5, for example, it stays on the same page (the first page that comes up) regardless of what page number I click on,

 

results I got in the past - whereas in the past my searches resulted in relevant (and frequently they where "right on the button" results) and I used to be able to move from page to page in the "showing results 0 (or 1) to 20" indicator by clicking on a number, say page 2 or page 10.

 

I don't know why I can no longer access the tuts I want, can you guys help me?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Irrelevant results of my searches at CG tutorials

[Cad64]

You might want to contact the webmaster at CG Tutorials and ask him why the site doesn't work the way it used to.

[Cad64]

I'm not too thrilled with that website. I just tried clicking on 3 different tutorials. 2 of them came up with a "Server Not Found" error and the 3rd one gave me an error written in German, so I don't even know what that one said. Maybe you should find another tutorial website. There are lots of them here: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?29434-***Free-Max-Tutorials***

[AlienBZ]

I'm not too thrilled with that website. I just tried clicking on 3 different tutorials. 2 of them came up with a "Server Not Found" error and the 3rd one gave me an error written in German, so I don't even know what that one said. Maybe you should find another tutorial website. There are lots of them here: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?29434-***Free-Max-Tutorials***

 

I tried all these sites you linked me to, did a search on each site of "skeleton" in max but I only got hits like character building/rigging/animation only I'm looking for a tut on how to model a skeleton using realistic looking bones in max but didn't find any tuts that even looked like they would fill the bill (but thanks for linking me to these tuts in the first place - they'll come in handy for me later) at the moment.

 

How could I create a realistic looking skeleton in max (or at least realistic looking bones of a skeleton)?

Edited January 15, 2013 by AlienBZ

[Cad64]

You're probably not going to find a tutorial that will teach you how to model a skeleton. I'm pretty sure that I have never seen a tutorial like that.

 

You may want to consider just downloading a pre-built model, like the one here: http://thefree3dmodels.com/stuff/anatomy/skeleton/20-1-0-282, unless you really, really want to make it yourself?

[AlienBZ]

You're probably not going to find a tutorial that will teach you how to model a skeleton. I'm pretty sure that I have never seen a tutorial like that.

 

You may want to consider just downloading a pre-built model, like the one here: http://thefree3dmodels.com/stuff/anatomy/skeleton/20-1-0-282, unless you really, really want to make it yourself?

 

Thank you very much, Cad64. I've d/l my skeleton. Now, what I'd like to do with this skeleton is detach some of the bones to join into the body parts of a person so I can create an emaciated-body build type of alien creature - is there any way to do this?

 

Also, a lot of these other models (furniture, etc, that I'd like to use in my movie) I'd like to use are "obj", "c4d" files, so is there any way to convert them into "max" files?

 

btw, I hope to use these models in my own home-created movies (via biped animation, etc, using not only max, but other software, including some of the products of the Adobe family, i.e. photoshop, after effects, encore, audition,) - would I be allowed to do this (and maybe host these movies on my own website in the future)?

Edited January 15, 2013 by AlienBZ

[Cad64]

what I'd like to do with this skeleton is detach some of the bones to join into the body parts of a person so I can create an emaciated-body build type of alien creature - is there any way to do this?

 

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to do but if you want to detach parts of the skeleton just switch to "Element" selection mode, select the parts you want to detach and then click the "Detach" button. I would suggest doing this on a copy of the skeleton though. Keep the original intact so you can continue using it in the future.

 

a lot of these other models (furniture, etc, that I'd like to use in my movie) I'd like to use are "obj", "c4d" files, so is there any way to convert them into "max" files?

 

Yes, you can Import the "obj" files into Max, but you won't be able to use the "c4d" files. Those are Cinema 4D files and can only be opened with that program.

 

I hope to use these models in my own home-created movies (via biped animation, etc, using not only max, but other software, including some of the products of the Adobe family, i.e. photoshop, after effects, encore, audition,) - would I be allowed to do this (and maybe host these movies on my own website in the future)?

 

Yes, you can do whatever you want with those models. They are free to use, but you really should give credit to the artists who created them and/or websites where you got them. If you're making a movie, it would be easy to just roll credits at the end and list the models you used and the artists who created them.

[AlienBZ]

Cad64, I've d/l some models from the site you linked me to (thanks!) but some of the models I tried to d/l (in fact, a number of them) gave me this that looks like a bunch of computer code the problem models and they wouldn't d/l - do you know why this might be happening, and how to fix it?

 

Also, I came across some iwo models - will 3DS max open these?

Edited January 16, 2013 by AlienBZ

[Cad64]

Per the attached image below, when I open the .rar file you posted I see an .obj file, a .mtl (material) file and 3 .tga image files. I don't see anything that looks like computer code? Just import the .obj file and you should be fine.

 

I don't know what an iwo model is? Are you sure those aren't lwo models? Anyway, just check the list of file formats that Max can import. If a file format is not included in the list, you can't use it.

[AlienBZ]

Per the attached image below, when I open the .rar file you posted I see an .obj file, a .mtl (material) file and 3 .tga image files. I don't see anything that looks like computer code? Just import the .obj file and you should be fine.

 

 

I did not get what's showing on your image, ok, here's what happens: I select the model from the webpage thumbnail, it opens to show that model in a large image with a blue d/l button underneath the image of the model. I click on this blue d/l button, wait a few seconds and the next thing I know, I get a page showing what looks to me like computer code - nothing at all like what's on the image you posted. I'm on a mac (macbook pro, mid 2009 model, running OS X Leopard, Safari v5.0.6. I haven't updated the Flash player app on this computer, (although I have better luck updating flash player on my windows PC's)). Er, do you mean to say, try again to d/l these files, and whatever I get, to import them into max?

 

 

I don't know what an iwo model is? Are you sure those aren't lwo models? Anyway, just check the list of file formats that Max can import. If a file format is not included in the list, you can't use it.

 

Yes, I believe they're Iwo models.

 

 

for all of these models that I've d/l - is it possible to rearrange the layout (as a room interior, for example) of these models and also to remove the weapons and change the clothing/add clothing/change the color pattern and the faces of the character models?

 

I found a realistic face tut **here**

that shows how to model your own face in max, and I'd like to remodel the faces/hair of the characters that I've d/l in this way - can this be done?

 

Also, if it is possible to change the texture maps of these models (furniture/buildings, etc) that I've d/l by googling Images and then d/l wallpaper design patterns that are either in jpeg, png, bmp, (image files, actually) would I be allowed to do so even if they're not on the public domain (I'm not too crazy about getting images from the public domain just b/c these images are more limited in selection), wheres the regular google "images" has a much larger selection of images and I feel I can find a closer match of the wallpaper designs/patterns I'm looking for in this category instead of the more limited public domain images. But what if some of these images are copyrighted - am I taking a risk of getting sued if I use them as the bitmaps in my models/movies?

 

If so, can you point me to a site that has as large/varied a selection of free, non-copyrighted wallpaper images that are just like these on the regular google images instead of the more limited selection of images in the public domain section?

[Cad64]

You're probably getting that computer code because you're on a Mac. I can't help you there. I know nothing about Mac's. Just make sure that the unzip software you're using is capable of unzipping .rar files. I'm guessing that yours is not because you get that computer code instead of a download.

 

If you want different textures, go to CGTextures. I doubt you're going to get sued over the use of a texture, but as with anything, do your research and make sure the images you're using are in fact free to use.

[AlienBZ]

Cad64, I'm on my windows PC now. I didn't get that computer code when I tried to d/l. Anyway, I d/l some telescopes (the kind families use that you can buy at Walmart or Sears) and I was able to isolate all the parts (must've been a hundred of 'em) of this one telescope and I was able to change the color of the telescope's formerly white barrel into what I think is a cool pattern - look:

 

after I changed the barrel color I selected all the model's parts, grouped them and gave this group my own name. Now I guess I can use this telescope in a movie (yes, I'll give the authors/website of these models credit).

[AlienBZ]

Cad64, I did a google search and found this website http://www.3dcadbrowser.com/preview.aspx?modelcode=36007

where they have alien 3d models and even an elementary school classroom, but it tells me I have to register in order to d/l these models. Then again, I don't know if the models on that site are movie-quality (my goal is to make the models that I d/l look as realistic as possible) or not?

 

Could you please check out that site and tell me what you think of it?

 

Also what do you think of the paint job I did on that telescope?

Edited January 16, 2013 by AlienBZ

[AlienBZ]

EDIT - also it says at the very bottom of the page "copyright 3D cad browser" - does this mean I'm not allowed to use these models in my move to host online or what?

 

I don't know if that site I linked to is the appropriate site for me to find 3D models that are free to use/host online (like the site you linked me to) for my needs - what do you say?

 

I did a search of the site you linked me to of classroom model, teacher, doctor, hospital ward, nurse, but the only doctor models are models from these "creepy" movies (don't want any "creepy-looking" doctors/nurses in my movie), the nurse is sort of too "sexy looking" (or a silent hill nurse) for my tastes/type of movie, and the other models (classroom, hosp ward, medical doctor,) did not exist on this site so if there are any other sites that have free-to-use-anyway-you-want, free-to-host-online 3D max models with no "catch's/got'cha's" involved, can you please link me to some?

[Cad64]

Did you read the registration info on that site?

 

Free account: Using a free account you can download all free 3D models. To download non-free 3D models you need to upload your 3D models or buy a non-free account.

 

Non-free accounts: Paid accounts allow you to download 3D models right now and without uploading.

 

That means, with a free account, you're allowed to download the few random free models they have lying around, which will not be very many, and they will NOT be good quality models. If you want the good models you have to either upload your own models or purchase one of their registration accounts.

 

Some of the models on that site look pretty good, but the majority are not so good. And the free ones are just crap. If you want to purchase really good, high quality models, check out Evermotion.

 

But if you just want to download free models, there are plenty of good ones online. You just have to know where to look. Check out the sites listed here: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?32298-Sites-Offering-Free-3D-Models

 

 

The paint job on the telescope looks ok, from what I can see in the dark screenshots. I can't tell what sort of texture is applied though?

[Cad64]

EDIT - also it says at the very bottom of the page "copyright 3D cad browser" - does this mean I'm not allowed to use these models in my move to host online or what?

 

Any models you download for free or purchase online can be used in your renders or movies or whatever you want. You just need to give credit to the artist. The one thing you cannot do is try to claim that these models are your own and try to re-sell them on your own site. That is where you will get into trouble.

[AlienBZ]

Hi, I'm back, trying to d/l this model from one of the links you gave me. there's no d/l link and even when I copy/paste the permalink url into my browser it takes me back to that same model page, so how can I d/l this model?

 

http://artist-3d.com/free_3d_models/dnm/model_disp.php?uid=2863

 

and when I copy/paste the link above this in my browser I get a dead end "Your search - "child ... - did not match any documents" message - help, please?

[AlienBZ]

Edit - finally found the d/l link, thought it was grayed out, but I got this model.

[Cad64]

See below:

 

Edit: I guess you already figured it out.

[AlienBZ]

Yes, I finally figured it out. Anyway, I'm now searching for free elementary school classroom desk/chair, college classroom lecture chair models, can't seem to find any - do you might know of where I can d/l these?

 

EDIT - also correctional facility, jail cells, electric chair, execution equp for my movie - help?