TYCOON beta 1.0 released! [3Ds Max tool] [Coasters, Pipes and more]

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

TYCOON beta 1.0 released! [3Ds Max tool]

It feels great to finally release the tool I have been working on for the past few weeks!
Get it on Gumroad: https://gum.co/rSUoP

Check out the release video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tguRxtjK61A
Tycoon started out as a combination of a toolrequest for creating pipes and my dream to create rollercoasters in 3D software.

With Tycoon you can easily create custom bending objects and auto snap/align them together.
Tycoon is extremely useful if you want to create objects like: Pipes, Cables, Rollercoasters, Ropes, Fences, Roads and other modulair objects.

Other cool ideas such as:

– Create modulair hard surface parts. (Spaceships!)
– Modulair parts for buildings,hallways or pillars.
– Rollercoasters for your next 3D themepark!
– Ropes for your next pirate ship, including giant squids

If you guys have any questions/suggestions/comments/ideas for tools or other tech/workflows, let me know:
https://www.facebook.com/Yvo.3DTechArt/
info@yvovonberg.nl

Installation:

Without macrobutton install:

1: Extract the tycoon.zip file.

2: Drag _tycoon in to your 3Ds Max.

3: Done!

With macrobutton install:

1: Extract the tycoon.zip file.

2: Place the "Tycoon" folder in your 3Ds max scripts directory.

3: Drag the tycoonMacro in to your 3Ds Max.

4: Go to custom interface > toolbars > dropdown category ... YvovonBerg_Tools > Tycoon Beta

5: Select Tycoon Beta and drag it to a place in your UI to dock it.

6: Launch the macro.

7: Done!

Find me on Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8k03R

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Image: http://i.giphy.com/v6FvMYfE9y6nm.gif

Yep... even Squids ^^

Image: http://i.giphy.com/8Iz3uWwlUfeCI.gif

Need to create pipes in 3Ds Max?

musashidan · May 2016

This looks great. May you finally realise your dream of building your own roller coaster

Is there a custom spline option?

Dare I ask if this could be like having tri-parts insert curve brushes from Zbrush in Max?

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Thank you!

There is no spline option in this beta release yet. I am experimenting with different new features to draw/paint/place/add meshes on other objects. (Maybe even in a similear way as Zbrush does. Cool idea! )

musashidan · May 2016

I really like the UI approach with the sliders. It would be great to have a pop up dialogue with a toolbox, where you could save categories of parts or kits and just click to add them as the next piece: scifi walls/floors, different hose fittings/connections, a corridor kit of walls/doors/windows/columns, a castle ramparts kit, etc....

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Yes, that would be a great feature indeed! Most inspiration for UI/workflow/usability is coming from a lot of different Tycoon games, that also explains the name of the Tool.

cptSwing · May 2016

Sweet looking, sort of hypnotic. Does it merge the objects instantly, or work some vertex normal magic?

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

@cptSwing thx, when you've finished building your great masterpiece, you can choose between attaching/collapsing the objects or to weld them together using vertex welding.

Mant1k0re · May 2016

Good stuff, I had some fun with it today. It seems the script will only work with closed object, I suppose it's working as intended? I was trying to use it with modular road parts I made.

Any chance to be able to use on another axis than Z? It's not very convenient to see what you're doing when you're building a road and you combine different angle/direction.

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Hi there! Thanks for your message.

In the current Beta version (1.0) the Z axis actually only matters when you create a new modular 'TycoonPiece', I made really quick help video to explain the proces. After Tycoon is done with creating the modular mesh, you can rotate the road back. I am experimenting with a easier to use solution. I know it might be a bit weird, haha maybe it is because Tycoon started at as a PipeTool. Thanks for the feedback!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3Erjf49L6BkRmVrMm0zbklBRTg/view

PS: What exactly do you mean with a 'closed' object? Just to make sure.

If you have more questions/problems/suggestions please ask!

Tycoon help & Tutorials:
http://yvovonberg.nl/tycoon_help.html
Tycoon mail:
info@yvovonberg.nl

musashidan · May 2016

vonBerg said:

Hi there! Thanks for your message.

In the current Beta version (1.0) the Z axis actually only matters when you create a new modular 'TycoonPiece', I made really quick help video to explain the proces. After Tycoon is done with creating the modular mesh, you can rotate the road back. I am experimenting with a easier to use solution. I know it might be a bit weird, haha maybe it is because Tycoon started at as a PipeTool. Thanks for the feedback!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3Erjf49L6BkRmVrMm0zbklBRTg/view
PS: What exactly do you mean with a 'closed' object? Just to make sure.

If you have more questions/problems/suggestions please ask!

Tycoon help & Tutorials:
http://yvovonberg.nl/tycoon_help.html
Tycoon mail:
info@yvovonberg.nl

I'm guessing by closed object he means watertight rather than a single-sided plane that the road parts probably are.

Mant1k0re · May 2016

Hey guys, yeah I meant watertight. Okay about Z, I will try to rotate the mesh once the custom mesh has been prepped by the script.

One more thing: for me at least it's not possible to use Previous Scene Operation/Undo once I've started using the script, Max will actually crash 100% if I hit that key more than twice.

Another suggestion, it would be nice if the script made a copy of the custom mesh I want to work with as opposed to moving/renaming my mesh to cylinder xxx. It's not a big bother to make a copy of the mesh you want to work with manually each time, but you said to send you suggestions

Edit: I use Max 2016.

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Hi!

Thanks for your feedback! I recently did a lot of bugfixing, release 1.1 should be up this week.

- Fixed bug with selection still on using customPiece modifier. (While adding, direction, twisting and taper)
- Fixed alignment bug with non-watertight models / Planes for example.
- Rotating your custom mesh to work for the world Z axis is no longer necessary, simply rotate the pivot of your mesh into the direction you want to build and hit ADD+ It will also works if the custom mesh is rotated. You can now also flip the direction by changing the pivot to the other side and rotating it. (Should be automatic in a future update)
- Fixed rename: Tycoon will no longer rename your custom mesh.
- Disabled default undo, so Tycoon will no longer crash, maybe in a future update there will be some sort of undo/go back button.

Here is a quick vid to show the workflow for roads: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3Erjf49L6BkQ3dwYnpPRGhkTGs/view

Mant1k0re · May 2016

Woah, quick iteration much? Thanks a lot! Going to be spending more quality time with your baby soon.

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Thx! New bug just came in: Apparently It is not working on Japanese versions of 3Ds Max. I think it is because of some naming/character error. I will try to make a special version for the Japanese and Chinese artists. That will be a cool challenge ^^

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Never mind it is fixed again, will be included in the 1.1 update.

Mant1k0re · May 2016

Hi Yvo, tested the new release a great deal and did not find any bug, thanks!

Now still on the topic of creating roads, which is going to be the main use case for Tycoon for me, the one thing I'd really wish I had right now is the ability to make curved ramps.

I would achieve this manually by applying 2 Bend modifiers, the first one upward and the second one laterally. Have you considered allowing this?

Right now the tool doesn't allow for decimal values either, that would be useful to have at least the option to have one when typing values if you need to get an exact angle.

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Hi @Mant1k0re

Yeah no bugs! Whooho ^^

I did some experiments with two bend modifiers in a very early stage of development. I have to think about your idea and how it should work for Tycoon. For example adding a another curved ramp to exactly match up the previous one would be a nice challenge. I will add your idea to the Tycoon feature/wish/experiment list

- About the decimal values: Giving a option to the user would be a good idea.

Feel free to share your Tycoon projects

Mant1k0re · May 2016

Hey Yvo,

Yeah I realize predicting exactly where the next piece needs to be placed when 2 mods are involved coul require some serious maths, but it would turn Tycoon into the ultimate road creation tool

Hope you can pull it off!

I am making a full modular road system at the moment, I will share when it is done, sure

cptSwing · May 2016

When tinkering with Max's bend modifier, this might be useful: http://hannesdelbeke.blogspot.de/2014/05/modular-arcs.html

Mant1k0re · May 2016

Thank you so much for that link!!! That script is already installed, you rock!

cgtoolsmith · May 2016

Ow yeah Sjoerd is awesome for giving a solution for the snap on grid problem with bending stuff. And Hannes did a great job with the tool. I love to read this kind of articles!

cptSwing · May 2016

Hey, I don't understand half of it myself - just came to mind then

cgtoolsmith · Jun 2016

Image: http://i.giphy.com/w8Knsr0jf8BDG.gif

First supersmall experiment with spline painter for upcoming Tycoon/3Ds Max update.

Mant1k0re · Jun 2016

Sexy! Your script has already become a staple in my arsenal, everything you add is just bonus epic :-) Lately I found myself using Extend Border script and instinctively looking for Tycoon UI.

cgtoolsmith · Jun 2016

@Mant1k0re Supernice! Thank you

cgtoolsmith · Jun 2016

More updates for the upcoming Tycoon Update 1.2
#MeshBrush #Madebytycoon

Draw splines and deform custom meshes on splines.
Inspired by the Insert Brush from Zbrush.

https://youtu.be/cr3qbKb11u8

LaurentiuN · Jun 2016

Hey man, can u add a paypall option?
EDIT: Nevermind, it worked. Thanks.

OccultMonk · Jun 2016

From what I can see this isn't really useful like this yet. You should be able to select existing splines. For example splines that were created from outlines of existing objects. Drawing a spline freehand is not something I do often as it is not accurate enough. Like this, it's a gimmick, not really functional. If I want to add for example a zipper to a coat, I will create a spline based on the existing geometry. I am also missing the option to have caps on both ends.
I hope you can improve the functionality because this can be really useful when implemented correctly.

cgtoolsmith · Jun 2016

Hi! You will also be able to select other splines. You don't have to draw it using the tool! End/cap control is coming.

OccultMonk · Jun 2016

Here are my original concepts for a spline array script. I have been thinking about making such a script for a few years but just could not find the time.

http://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2454088#Comment_2454089

cgtoolsmith · Sep 2016

@occultmonk thank you for all your feedback so far! I'm still experimenting to add ProBoolean support to the tool.

New Tycoon Spline tool -- Beta coming soon!

+ Place objects on spline,
+ Replace/change every object,
+ Move up and down,
+ Change orientation

Fixed in this version 0.8:

- Update & Collapse performance update.
- Axis / object orientation
- Update with new picked objects
- bugfix with same object
- set color after moving
- move up and down index after update
- combine pick item and pick mesh button
- object orientation after update

Made for 3Ds Max 2015/2016/2017 using MaxPlus/Python
By Yvo von Berg http://yvovonberg.nl/

Coming soon! Stay tuned: https://www.facebook.com/Yvo.3DTechArt/
https://www.artstation.com/artist/yvovonberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge_-uxYzxk0

cgtoolsmith · Oct 2016

I just released the first beta of Tycoon Spline (1.0) for 3Ds Max.
This tool allows you to easily place objects on splines/curves.
Useful for: Ropes, Snakes, Rollercoasters, Pipes, and more.

video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge_-uxYzxk0

+ Place objects on spline,
+ Replace/change every object,
+ Move up and down,
+ Change orientation

Link: https://gumroad.com/l/ZTqB

Check the docs: http://yvovonberg.nl/docsTools/tycoonSpline/html/index.html