3ds Max Calculator for Armadillo

Downloads: MaxCalculator_v1.zip, MaxCalculator_v2.zip
Preserved v2 program title: Version 2.1
Purpose: Convert Armadillo grid size/resolution and sun heading into useful 3ds Max scene settings.

Use with shadow rendering

1. In Armadillo or Dillo Too, record track type, grid resolution, grid size, light heading, and any object scale.
2. Select National or SX or Baja, Stunt, or Enduro in Max Calculator.
3. Enter the recorded Armadillo values.
4. Enable Use Object Scale only when the source object/scene is not at 100 percent.
5. Apply the calculated grid and heading values to the Max terrain/light scene.
6. Render a small test and compare a recognizable shadow with the editor before committing to a full texture render.

Accurate coordinates do not eliminate differences caused by terrain smoothing or renderer behavior. Treat the calculator as alignment, followed by visual verification.

MVA variant

A separate private beta called MVA Max Calculator converted MVA light position/target coordinates to Max. It used:

MaxY = MvaPositionZ - MvaTargetPositionZ
MaxX = MvaPositionX - MvaTargetPositionX
MaxZ = MvaPositionY - MvaTargetPositionY

The MVA beta download cited in the forum was not found in the preserved tree, so do not assume the MCM2 executable implements those fields.

Sources

• Preserved executables, page, and screenshots in the Max Calculator archive folder.
• MVA Max Calculator beta.