Hi Carlos,

Unfortunately, Punch doesn't export the 3D models to 3DS, at least not directly
I got a modest 3D wireframe after I processed the file with 5 different sw (including Autocad and 3D max), a very inefficient system, indeed

As stated, is a wireframe, obviously without a texture map. I don't think your can use it with Mentalray

Hope this helps

Patricia

Hi Carlos,

Unfortunately, Punch doesn't export the 3D models to 3DS, at least not directly
I got a modest 3D wireframe after I processed the file with 5 different sw (including Autocad and 3D max), a very inefficient system, indeed

As stated, is a wireframe, obviously without a texture map. I don't think your can use it with Mentalray

Hope this helps

Patricia

Lyle,

Because, as you know, the Punch plants are not "3D objects" but images.
A Punch tree, for example, is not developed as a 3D wireframe structure, with polygons / meshes. And these are exactly the elements used to create a 3DS or 3D dwg files

See attached. The plant is a 3D wireframe / 3DS object

Patricia

Desperation measures? not at all. 3DS is used in a variety of applications! (movies, animations, and specially games)

Not only 3DS files use plants but there are many 3DS specialists developing and charging for this service
Check this site
http://3dplants.0catch.com/download.html

What other options? dozens: Bryce, 3D max (is not the same of 3DS), Rhino, 3DMF, BIN, DWG, Inventor, just to name few of them

However, as you can see in the site above and the image I attached above, the process always starts with the construction of the 3D wireframe

Patricia

Thank you info . . . For sure I will try the PDK and will bother you again ;) . At this point I solve my initial problem . First I found out that blender do not read vrlm2 :S so I did a script to make it work and at this point I'm Simply happy . I see that the uvm now will be the cherry of the cake :D I will search for that cherry in a few days and maybe post my progress of a scene render with mentalray so you guys can see the difference in the render. Maybe in the future I will do my render to mentalray directly in AS4000 using a powertool but that will be in the furure ;) So Thank you again Best Regards, Carlos (RCRuiz)

Well just as a commentary . I dont think punch is design to be able to use masive amount of information. I guess his render engieng is program more for speed render as the geme engiens as Ogre but so use a real tree with millions of poligons will be un usable. But there are a lot of profesional render engiens that are design specific for photo realistic and masive works that use several algoritms like raytrace and scanline (ex. mentalray , renderman ) but also there are some very good that are free like povray that give decent results my povray samples <BR> http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a116/RCRuiz/Finales/TYPE_Epov.jpg <BR> http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a116/RCRuiz/Finales/interior2.jpg <BR> http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a116/RCRuiz/Finales/Exp.jpg <BR> http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a116/RCRuiz/Finales/wip001.jpg <BR> my mentalray samples <BR> http://www.blentalstudio.com/Blender2mentalray%28r%29/images/Indoor0002.jpg <BR> My intention never was to use the punch render engien. I want to use it for organization porpouse so if can manage to export the position of the tree or the siluet that will be enogth for me . . . I will put a real tree in his place with there proportions Best regards <BR> Carlos (RCRuiz)

Exactly, because the rendering engine is different.

The images you show (very nice!) were developed with a program using ray trace, so they are really different

Punch is compromised between a good 3D quality (for a home design program) and the building information management capabilities

Regarding the trees.... as I explained, you will not have a tree or the silhouette exported. The trees in Punch are images masked, in other words, you will export only rectangular boards textured
The image attached shows you the shapes you can export to VRML

Patricia