In nuce: Sini Software (own spelling: SiNi) has released StackUp, a free MaxScript that allows you to randomly stack objects on top of each other. MaxScript is a scripting language for 3ds Max. Developer Sini Software provides plug-ins for the 3D software 3ds Max.

In toto: StackUp was originally developed to stack neighbourhoods or blocks of flats – but is just as suitable, as the accompanying description says, for “stacking any objects”. The description also states that StackUp is primarily suitable for stacking prefabricated assets. The plug-in is therefore a comparatively simple tool in terms of functionality, which in turn is easy to use. To learn how to use StackUp, Sini Software has provided a ten-part YouTube video tutorial series (maximum seven minutes per video); here users are guided through the individual steps. The first video is linked at the end of this news item.

Click further: To the MaxScript StackUp on docs.sinisoftware.com. On 13 January 2021 , Digital Production and author Rainer Duda reported on the Max Creation Graph as part of our series of retro articles; this is another useful plug-in for 3ds Max from Sini Software.

Source: cgpress.org (news from CGPress Staff)

StackUp – 101 – An introduction

The post Stack high with this free plug-in! first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.

In nuce: 3D artist-slash-industrial designer Jorge del Valle has released his free UV Checker Map, which allows 3D models to be checked for texture distortion – and then downloaded in a resolution of up to 8K.

In toto: The checker maps are user-definable (for example in terms of grid size, colours and numbering). In addition, the text colour can be automatically adapted to the background via convenience functions – which should increase readability. Digital Production would like to thank Jim Thacker from cgchannel.com, who first pointed out Valle’s web app (which was already released in 2021).

Clicked further: The UV Checker Map Maker online app is available at uvchecker.byvalle.com . Jorge del Valle is a former employee of Weta Workshop; his creative work can be viewed via artstation.com On 24 July 2020 , Digital Production reported on the free UV Checker Maps by user Maurus Kamehameha.

Source: cgchannel.com (message from Jim Thacker)

The post Still a checker or already a checker map? first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.

In nuce: Software developer Rod Zilla releases his Material Maker in version 1.0. Material Maker is a node-based tool for PBR material creation and 3D texture painting.

Background information on Material Maker: The Godot Game Engine runs in the background of Material Maker. Material Maker is often described as a source-free alternative to Substance 3D Designer and Substance 3D Painter. The handling of Material Maker is said to be comparable to that of Substance 3D Designer. The tool is available for Windows, Linux and the Mac operating system.

Click further: All further information on Material Maker. We last reported on Material Maker on 25 November 2019 , when version 0.7 was released. For those interested, it may be worth comparing how the tool has evolved since 2019.

The post Software developer releases Material Maker 1.0 first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.

CG artist Romain Chaulicas, aka Wizix, releases BrickIt – his Maya script with which the artist tilts an entire box filled with many colourful Lego bricks over your interface. BrickIt works with Maya 2018 and higher. You also need at least Mtoa 3.1.1. There is a Python 3 version for Maya 2022.

Wizix continues to stack the Lego bricks on top of each other and is continuously improving its script. If you want to stack Lego blocks together with Wizix, ask him on Artstation. In the two videos below you can see what can be stacked with Wizix’s script. The full version of Brickit costs 40 US dollars, the demo version is available free of charge on Gumroad.

BrickIt – The Tumbler – Timelapse with Maya and Arnold

The post Lego Builder Tool | Maya first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.