[3ds max] [maxscript] script to export/import explicit normals

Tosyk

hello!

I need a script to save and then load explicit normals for selected objects. so the process is like this:

1. select object
2. press button to export normals into a file. normals saved along with object name
3. deselect/object again
4. press a button to read saved file. script sees the name in the file and if this name equal to selected object's name then it creates Normals_Edit modifier and loads explicit normals into it

p.s.: in 3ds max (2009 precisely) skin modifier recalculates the normals.

PolyHertz

Are smoothing groups lost as well when using the skin modifier? The Edit Normals modifier can be used to unify or split normals per-vertex, but smoothing groups split them per-face, so to keep all potential normals I think to you'd need to use both a Smooth modifier and Edit Normals modifier together.

Tosyk

PolyHertz said:

Are smoothing groups lost as well when using the skin modifier? The Edit Normals modifier can be used to unify or split normals per-vertex, but smoothing groups split them per-face, so to keep all potential normals I think to you'd need to use both a Smooth modifier and Edit Normals modifier together.

well. I need to save my own edited normals. smoothing groups are fine tho

Eric Chadwick

I would suggest one of the many vertex normal projection scripts. I'm not sure which works in 2009 though, that's a really ancient version. 
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/VertexNormal#3ds_Max_Tools