Using the XoliulShaderUI shader

MITVIZ

how is this used in 3ds max 2015? i saw one tutorial with someone using it to preview a model but not sure how it exactly works, is it something old? no fully sure, what i would love to do though is preview my normal maps correctly in 3ds max, sometimes it looks funny with i use realistic mode

musashidan

This no longer  works in Max due to the implementation of the Nitrous viewport renderer, and I believe the dev has discontinued support as a result.

MITVIZ

what is the best way to show my normal maps properly as similar to how it would in engine?

T.Bull

Have you tried switching back to the Legacy Direct3D driver? It could probably still work then (but no promises).
In Max2016 there is a DirectX Stingray driver, which is PBR.
If you are ok with using an external application, use Marmoset Toolbag, Quixels 3do or even Substance Painter. Or just directly an engine, like Unreal or Unity.

musashidan

Personally I think you're much better off sticking to Marmoset or Substance. Max natively has always been pretty poor for game asset display. Xoliul and the 3pointshader were both great alternatives but due to the Nitrous viewport now obselete.

You could always set up a shader and Hdri lighting and just render in Max. Substance Painter has both a Vray and a Corona export preset. If you don't use either you can drop the maps into an Arch&Design shader and use Mental Ray with a few tweaks.

MITVIZ

Thanks guys!

Quack!

The best way to display your model as it might look is to actually display it in the engine.
There will be massive differences between Substance, Toolbag2 and your engine unless you spend the time to sync up their lighting. That isn't often feasable as your game lighting will usually be very different from Substance/TB2's and you will want it to sync up with that, rather than some generic middle ground.