Itoo Software Forum

Forest Pack => Forest Pro (*) => Topic started by: QM3423 on December 05, 2013, 07:56:04 PM

Title: Adding multiple objects in a folder to a library
Post by: QM3423 on December 05, 2013, 07:56:04 PM
Is there a way to add an entire folder of 3dsmax files to a library? I know you can select an a single Max file and then import all the objects within that scene.  But I cannot figure out how to add a folder full of 3dsmax trees to a library at one time.
Title: Re: Adding multiple objects in a folder to a library
Post by: iToo on December 06, 2013, 07:20:01 AM
No sorry, there is not such option. That procedure is more problematic because a scene may include multiple objects, and there is not way to know what to use.

If that helps, we create our libraries editing directly the XML file. Usually it's easier if you need to create multiple items.
Title: Re: Adding multiple objects in a folder to a library
Post by: QM3423 on December 06, 2013, 03:37:11 PM
I found the XML file and am trying to use either Excel or XMLNotepad2007 to edit it.  I can add one at a time in XMLNotepad by using the duplicate command.   I have an excel spreadsheet that contains all the Max file names for my plants. I am trying to see if I can batch edit the iToo XML file and add all my plants without having to add one-at-a-time.  I am close but struggling.

Do you have any tips or possiblly even an excel XML sheet that you could share that would allow me to add a list of files to the XML file?  Any directions or tips would be helpful.  I have many hundreds of plants that I have made or gathered over the years and would love to add them to the ForestPro library.  But adding them one at a time is no good!
Title: Re: Adding multiple objects in a folder to a library
Post by: iToo on December 06, 2013, 05:21:09 PM
Unfortunately there is not a standard way to generate the XML files. In our case, each vendor send us their libraries in their own format. For example, XFrog catalog was generated from an Excel file, but we had to write a custom software to translate it.

By the way, i'm discussing this issue with our developer, and it's possible to select multiple Max files in the import object dialog (i didn't know that). The drawback is that you get a list with all objects included in all scenes. From here, just select the objects that you want to import. Ideally we should list the geometric objects only, but unfortunately the Max SDK doesn't allow this functionality.
Title: Re: Adding multiple objects in a folder to a library
Post by: KF3274 on December 11, 2013, 04:03:35 PM
I have the same problem updating libraries 2D
before I had to update the file index.dat now I have to do with the files index.xlm
The problem is that I need to the materials of Plants in 2000.


Working on xlm file in excel is difficult.
I hope that in the future there is an easier way to the need to use a lot of material is a necessity! We can not only use the "browser" a material at a time.

For other people advice not to use excel but "notepad + +" where you can also write some macros ... (after a computer course).

saluti
Title: Re: Adding multiple objects in a folder to a library
Post by: iToo on December 11, 2013, 04:22:16 PM
I have the same problem updating libraries 2D
[...]
I hope that in the future there is an easier way to the need to use a lot of material is a necessity! We can not only use the "browser" a material at a time.

Why not use the material importer (http://www.itoosoft.com/forestpack/reference/library_editor.php#multbill) ? With billboards the process is much more simple, only it's necessary a .mat file to create the library with a single click.
Title: Re: Adding multiple objects in a folder to a library
Post by: KF3274 on December 12, 2013, 06:21:50 PM
Thank you!

In a minute I solved all my libraries "cadplants.com" 2D (there are 2000 plants)

The only negative note at the end is a "new item" empty.
If you try to delete the items disappear adjacent already saved.

You have to change the properties of the new item by combining the properties of the item
deleted and then save.

I have not found another solution.

Thanks again and good luck
(http://)
Title: Re: Adding multiple objects in a folder to a library
Post by: yuv on December 13, 2013, 04:03:38 PM
Thanks for reporting the problem, i just confirmed that there is a issue with deletion of items in large libraries.

It will be fixed in next software release.