GroundCrew is a great plug-in
for creating many different types of procedural ground textures. GroundCrew
ships with a total of 48 presets contained within a single procedural map.
The GroundCrew Map
GroundCrew comes as a procedural
map for 3ds max 4.x and later. Because it is a procedural material map, it can
be used in any part of a material that supports maps.
So, even though GroundCrew
is designed for creating various ground materials, you can use it in any way
your imagination can take you. For example, use ground crew to create rust on
an object or add bump mapping.
The GroundCrew Controls
The GroundCrew MAX Plugin
Rollouts GroundCrew provides you with 48 different types of procedural looks.
Instead of creating 48 different maps, they have all been combined into one
plugin with a very simple user interface. You can define the size, rising height
(for bump and displacement map calculations) which preset you are using, and
the color mixing for that particular preset.
Colors are handled through
a standard gradint color and are availalbe in 4 different color mixing modes:
These allow you to customize
each different preset to suit your needs.
When used for bump or displacement
mapping, Groundcrew automatically switches to heighfield mode sot that the bump
or displacement is much more evident. You also have the ability to switch to
color intensity mode for finer control over the procedural map in bump and displacement
mapping methods.
Advanced Browsing
GroundCrew Preset Browser
With 48 different procedural presets, normally choosing one would be rather
difficult. But, GroundCrew comes with a handy preset browse window that enables
you to quickly and easily select the appropriate preset that you would like
to use.
GroundCrew is an awesome value for any 3ds max animator! . So, if you're convinced,
go ahead and add it to your cart. If not, click on the Demos link below and
take GroundCrew for a test drive for 15 days and see how you like it!
A Scene Created with GroundCrew
where GroundCrew handles the Textures and the Displacement Mapping
Features:
- 48 Procedural Map Presets
- Uses Heightfields for
Bump Mapping for much greater Detail
- Easy to Use Browser for
Selecting Presets
- Animatable gradient colors
- Can be used in Any Map
Slot
- Compatible with Vray,
Brazil, and Final Render
Gallery:
[click to enlarge image]
Demos & Tutorials:
GroundCrew QuickStart
Download File: cd-gcQuickstart.mov
FileSize 1.7 MB
GroundCrew Tutorial
1
Download File: cd-gctutorial1.mov
FileSize 7.5 MB
Creating a Lava Flow
Download File: cd-gctutorial2.mov
FileSize 8.8
MB
Download
Demo
FAQ:
- Q: What is GroundCrew?
A: It is a procedural Map for 3ds max 4.x/5.x. This means you can use it anywhere
you can use a standard Map in 3ds max.
- Q: Does GroundCrew Support
Network Licensing/Rendering?
A: Yes. GroundCrew uses Digimation's licensing system (Hydra) so it supports
network licensing, and as always, free network rendering.
- Q: Does GroundCrew work
with 3rd party rendering engines?
A: Yes. It works with Vray, Brazil, and Final Render. It currently does not
work with Mental Ray as this would require recoding the plugin specifically
for MR. We may consider this in the future.
- Q: Can I add my own Presets
to GroundCrew?
A: Not at this time. A future version may allow this. The 48 presets available
each represent unique algorithms. You may adjust the colors, size, height,
etc and save them to a material library, but right now making your own presets
is not available.
- Q: Can GroundCrew be
used for Displacement Mapping?
A: Absolutely. GroundCrew ships with several excellent examples of how to
do this.
- Q: Outside of Ground
Materials What Other Areas Can I Use GroundCrew?
A: Because of it's heightfield bump mapping, it's great for creating bump
mapping effects alone. It's also a very powerful tool when used with backgrounds
and with Mix materials when you use a Mask map. You can create some awesome
effects. Basically because it is a procedural map, you can use it in a lot
of different places, so it's really up to your imagination as to what you
can truly do with it.
- Q: Does GroundCrew work
with 3ds max 6?
A: A 3ds max 6 specific version will be made available after 3ds max 6 ships
as a free upgrade to existing users. Our installers feature an online updating
system, so you can use this to download the latest installer when it is released.
Check out our website for information on 3ds max 6 release dates.
