How to get proper scaling with assets in 3ds Max?

Easton

Hi guys,

I just started thinking about this while I am building more assets in Max, what should the scale be, how do I create the model to where it is exactly the same scale as my others?

If I modeled a shipping container that is 20ft and I also modeled a building that is 100sqft then would I use the same measurement I used to create them in Max or is it all worked out when its imported into a game engine?

I have been modeling 1/1 scale but I am not sure if this is right, and what happens if I model something 1/10 scale and I want them in the same scene later, I suppose if I have to I could just open the model in Max and divide or multiply the current dimensions (actually not sure if this is even possible without messing stuff up).

Thoughts?

Eric Chadwick

It all depends on the scale of the game. If you're doing a typical 1st person game, then 1 unit can be 1 centimeter (Unreal default), or it can be 1 meter (Unity default).

It's up to you which scale you use, just decide and stick with it for the duration of the game dev process.

If the game is a different scale, like a Civilization style overhead view, then a larger unit scale might make more sense.

The 3ds Max help file explains some of the reasoning behind choosing which unit to use.
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2017/ENU/3DSMax/files/GUID-22D2D2B9-9A82-47FA-88DD-67B1A91E2337-htm.html

Easton

So I guess if I wanted to move assets around from different engines that have different scales then it is not possible?

Eric Chadwick

It's not difficult. Most engines allow you to apply a scale multiplier on import. I'm just saying consistency is helpful.

SebastianBielecki

Obj files have only Unit to hold proper scale. So if you have OBJ file that has 10x10 units and import it to engine that uses meters - it will have 10x10 meters, if you import to engine that uses centimeters, it will have 10x10 centimeters.
But like @Eric Chadwick said - engines have scaling options so it is not difficult to multiply/divide size - consistency along assets is the key here.