Sprites in 3DSMax?

madmuffin · Apr 2010

One thing loads of game have but I have never figured out how to put into 3DSMax are sprites, like flat planes that are always oriented towards the viewing angle. Short of using a look-at constraint at a camera, does anyone know how to achieve this effect in 3DS Max?

And I'm not even sure they're called Sprites anymore, thats what they were in Duke Nukem 3D so I always just referred to them as that.

SHEPEIRO · Apr 2010

well they are done in so many different ways in games most are rendered on geometry, some are still 2d transforms though i would say this is dying out as 3d is easier, so using particle systems or look at constraints is not that far off you could probably copy the cameras rotation transform to the "face ons"

yiannisk · Apr 2010

exactly as you said

but use a look at controller on the plane.

Motion Panel,
Assign Controller on ROTATION channel.
Look At constraint

Will Faucher · Apr 2010

I'd say you'd be best off using Pflow with a shape facing event on. It automatically makes any and all particles (these can be planes) face the camera, viewport, or an object for that matter. Very simple to set up.

madmuffin · Apr 2010

Particles, I hadn't considered that. Have a single undying particle where I want my sprite to go could work.

yiannisk · Apr 2010

do what i told you and you'll be fine

Mark Dygert · Apr 2010

Probably use just a super spray set to facing, you can apply your material to the emitter. That way you never need to open particle view.

You can also use the Align View tool, only it isn't dynamic like using particles or a lookat constraint. This could come in handy if your camera is static and the particles are starting to cause lag.

You can also select any particle and convert it to a mesh object by going to Tools > Snapshot.

renderhjs · Apr 2010

they are called billboards, that should help with further Google searches.

toddiej · Apr 2010

Try this. Works pretty good.

http://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/billboard-manager

Mark Dygert · Apr 2010

yiannisk wrote: »

exactly as you said
but use a look at controller on the plane.

Motion Panel,
Assign Controller on ROTATION channel.
Look At constraint

For people scared of the motion panel, you can also click the object you wish to constrain then click, Animation > Constraints > LookAt

Sprites in 3DSMax?

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