37 replies to this topic

[haikalle]

I think that it's possible to use UV tiles together with multiply uvs sets. In the future I could write a code into applink that changes the tile order into uv sets and vise versa.
This way we could use 3d-coat and mudbox together without doing any changes into them.That is not so hard to code. But it's not in the first mudbox applink version.
We need to lay basic functions first.

[haikalle]

Hi everyone!

Here is the first beta version of mudbox applink. It's a real beta so there is a lot of issues. This is only Windows 64bit version. Also fbx is disabled for now. Fbx is built into applink script
already but there is some small issues to be fixed still. And real benefit of fbx files are multi uvs and at the moment 3d-coat can't import multi uvs (when using fbx)
so I don't see any rush to include this feature into applink. But surely it will be done in the future.

Right now what should work is to take obj object into 3d-coat and bring it back into mudbox with textures. Displacement is not supported because I need to do it diffrently
than other textures. Displacement maps needs to create a sculpting layer. Also 3d-coat -> mudbox workflow works but with meshes only no texture support yet.

If you want to test this version, you can find applink menu in File -> Send to 3D-Coat.

When you bring new textures into mudbox, you need to actually click all the layers that they show up in screen. I don't know yet why this happens. And you only need to do this ones.
When you update scene later textures are updated automaticly. Just copy ApplinkCore.mp into your Mudbox/plugins/ folder.

 ApplinkBeta.rar   1.86MB   123 downloads

[haikalle]

Hi again!

Here is updated applink version. Now all the main functions should work. Still only win 64 version. Here is quick demo how to use it:

https://vimeo.com/38268717

This is not release yet. Just another beta but everything looks really good right now
Just copy ApplinkCore.mp into your Mudbox/plugins/ folder.

 ApplinkBeta.rar   1.86MB   152 downloads

[haikalle]

Thanks AbnRanger to take a look at this. About taking textures from mudbox to 3d-coat, applink seams not to support that yet. But I agreee that would be really dynamic workflow if we could
share layers between mudbox and 3d-coat. It could work someway like this when 3d-coat reads import.txt:

[texture: Diffuse] = says that we want to import texture layer into 3d-coat
mudbox_diffuse = Layer name. If same name layer already in 3d-coat it would only update that layer. If not same layer it would create it
c:\texture\mudbox_diffuse.tga = path of the texture

And if there is no mesh part in import.txt it would mean that it adds textures into active scene in 3d-coat otherwise adds new mesh and includes textures into it.
because exporting specifics layers using mudbox is quite easy task to do. It only needs that some changes must be done 3d-coat applink api to support this.
Right now it's important that main functions work but we can start to collect info how to make applink api better. And when we have clear picture how everything should
work I can create a document for Andrew to read, if he likes to add some of those features. Thanks again.

One important thing about mudbox applink is that retopo workflow needs to work really well. I think that we can win some mudbox users it this workflow works well.
I have red from mudbox forums that is really needed feature and mudbox users want to find a good way to do it. I hope that this applink could be a interest option
to use it in this situation.

Have to say that I really loving mudbox sdk. The so much what I can do with it. I remember I said in the past that mudbox would have not a good SDK. But it seams
that I couldn't be more wrong. Mudbox SDK is really a fun to play with and it ables to code almost anything into mudbox. long post sorry

[haikalle]

After solving that one big problem everything has gone very smoothly. Right now I have Release candidate 1 for you. Also if everything goes well, applink is released in couple of days.
I was able to put one very neat feature into applink. Now when you create displacement map in 3d-coat. It takes that map and transfer it into sculpting layer in mudbox. Here is a Installer and I will
record a small tutorial very soon too.

Mudbox 2012 64bit Installer
 Mudbox-AppLink.rar   311.55K   141 downloads

[haikalle]

Sad Just to make sure. You are using 64bit version of mudbox?

Here is 32bit version just in case.
 Mudbox-AppLink.rar   234.72K   132 downloads

[haikalle]

Hmm... I will take a look. Really stranges..... Thanks for testing AbnRanger

[haikalle]

I downloaded service pack 1 for mudbox and indeed it gives an error...

[haikalle]

I re-installed mudbox and now the applink works again. So this is quite a interesting issue. I would like have some more feedback from other users.
Does anyone can have this applink to work. I know that there might not so many mudbox users here but You can download mudbox trial and install applink into it.

[haikalle]

This is really hit and miss bug fixing. Can you AbnRanger do one more thing. Delete Documents\mudbox folder. If mudbox gives still an error then I'm convince
that it's something odd with my script.

[haikalle]

3D-Coat / Mudbox applink 1.0 is here!

Hi! everyone. I wasen't sure that do I see this day ever but it's here. mudbox applink v1.0 is out. It should be easy to use but here is a quick
video that shows how to use it.

https://secure.vimeo.com/38626069

here are the installers:

Win 64 / 2012 SAP1
 Mudbox-SAP.rar   311.49K   109 downloads

Win 64 / Student,Trial
 Mudbox-Student_Trial.rar   311.55K   102 downloads

Special thanks to pilgway group. They are really amazing to work with. Also thanks to AbnRanger. There was couple major issues that I couldn't have solved without
him. but enjoy with this new plugin

[AbnRanger]

Here is a quick demonstration of the Applink using the new UV tile support. It also covers an important workaround, getting the texture maps to show up in Mudbox.

http://www.youtube.c...03B0C27026099E3

[DreamboxDigital]

Thanks for making this great applink...mudbox/3dc bridge is a nice combination.

I was wondering if there's a plugin compiled for mudbox 2013? I tried 2012 and it simply crashes on 'send to' commands, so I assume it needs its own compiled (64 bit) version?

Thanks again!

[haikalle]

Hi!

Here is a beta version for you. It's already quite stable but there is still some small issues to be solved. Just copy .mp file to your mudbox's plugin folder
and it should work.

 ApplinkBeta.rar   88.1K   67 downloads

[DreamboxDigital]

Haikalle, that did it!

I just sent a mesh out of mud for a quick auto retop, and have to say this is an absolutely fantastic workflow, thanks a TON for making this! Keep up the great work! Wow this opens so many new doors...

If I encounter any bugs I will be sure to report them. Consider me one of your beta test guinea pigs

- Bill

[haikalle]

Glad to hear it works. Nice to hear that you are ready to do some testing too. I will surely keep you updated with new applink versions

[haikalle]

Hi! Quick question. Does anyone knows if mudbox supports vertex colors. I have tried to do some searching but I don't find anything about the topic.
I would like to try to add vertex color support for mudbox applink but it seams that it's not possible...

[AbnRanger]

Hi! Quick question. Does anyone knows if mudbox supports vertex colors. I have tried to do some searching but I don't find anything about the topic.
I would like to try to add vertex color support for mudbox applink but it seams that it's not possible...

I don't think so, but the biggest problem is what I outlined in that video. problems with the naming convention of the texture files. 3D Coat has it's own convention and it would be nice if the applink could switch the naming convention to 3D Coat's on import and vice versa, on export. Right now it's a big pain to use the two apps together, for this reason.