Updated 26 June 2003
This answer does not apply if you are using
the current version of RenderPipe MAX, version 2.6
or later.
In version 2.5 of RenderPipe MAX and earlier sometimes
the underlying tessellation of geometry could be
seen. This occurs when 3dsmax is producing poor
surface tessellation. It is particularly visible
when a bump map is applied if the bump has a low-amplitude,
high-frequency noise component. The possible solutions
are:
The best solution is to upgrade to version 2.6
of RenderPipe MAX.
The second best solution is to remodel the object
in such a way that the tessellation behaves better.
Booleans and Extrudes are particularly at risk.
Rather than having a hole in an object try making
the object out of several parts and setting them
to share a single UVW mapping.
Try applying a modifier, the MeshSmooth modifier
can be helpful.
Try the RenderMan version of RP Shiny - see the
rp_new_bump_shiny_readme.pdf file in the RenderPipe_MAX\examples
directory of the software CD.
Reduce the noise in the map. If it is a bitmap
use Photoshop or a similar program. Down-sampling
the map to a smaller resolution can work well.
If it is a procedural map reduce the noise directly.
Try inserting an RP Texture between the material
and the map. Try reducing its dimensions to 100x100.
Remove the map from the bump channel, try the
map as a mix in the diffuse channel or try putting
it in the specular channel.
Sometimes the problem may be caused by intersecting
or coincident surfaces. Make sure any box has
a height of more than zero, and that touching
surfaces are slightly apart.
Updated 26 June 2003
This answer does not apply if you are using
the current version of RenderPipe MAX - if you are
using the version 2.6 or later please go
to the current answer.
If you are using version 2.5 of RenderPipe MAX
then note these points:
Do not use Instances or References of RPCs -
if you duplicate RPCs you must use the Copy option.
Deselect RPCs before starting to render
Put the RPC files on a local disk in the computer
running 3dsmax. If you attempt to use RPC files
located on a disk in a different computer, you
may find that performance is very poor.
Version 2.5-1 of RenderPipe MAX may fail to render
if the scene contains RPCs that are switched off
and there are objects with missing maps in the
scene - download version 2.5-2 from the downloads
page.
The RPC called 'Michelle' causes problems and
should not be used.
If you are using version 2.4-3 or earlier of RenderPipe
MAX then also note these points:
You need to switch off multi-threading on the
Rendering tab of 3dsmax's Preferences panel, otherwise
the render may fail without warning or give the
wrong image.
Do not render scenes containing RPCs to multiple
rendering devices - you can only render to one
PURE or RenderDrive per session of 3dsmax.
If you are using RPC 3.0 then you need version
2.5-1 or later of RenderPipe MAX
