New to making tracks with 3Ds Max

[BrunoSardine]

Hey everybody,

I decided to try my hand at making tracks for rFactor / rFactor 2, however after looking through all of the different tutorials and what not, it seems a bit overwhelming. I've been doing level design for Source engine games (CSS, HL2 etc) for 4 years now, but this is all completely new to me and I have no clue where to start.

So I have a few questions:

1. Is there any way to import GPS / Google Earth altitude data into 3Ds Max? I'm trying to make a circuit based around where I live, and it has a lot of hills and elevation changes that I think would be a huge pain to recreate manually.

2. Do I need to make my own textures to use in 3Ds Max? Or are there "texture packs" I can download and use?

3. How do I go about adding trees and skyboxes? Do I need 3D models of the trees?

4. How do I go about setting up lighting?

5. What's the easiest way to make terrain (Hills etc.) in 3Ds Max?

6. How do I specify the start / finish, pit lanes, track direction etc?

I had a tab open which was a .pdf of how to make a track for rFactor in 3Ds Max, however I accidentally closed out of it and now I can't find it again. I believe it answered some of these questions, but the confusion for me is still there.

Thanks,

-Pete

 

[Lee Knight]

Ive no idea how to do any of that in 3DSMax but I do follow some threads about it & track making.
For question1 check this thread; http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/spline-trackmaker-and-importgeo-for-3dsmax.62582/

For question6 you'd need to use the ISI AIW/Cam Editor Tool.

I don't know if this is the same as the pdf you had but you could check this thread...
http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/start-to-finish-rfactor-tutorial.54387/

These answers & many more were within the first 2 pages of this section, have a bit of a look-around, Im sure you'll find all you need here...
Good luck!

 

[BrunoSardine]

Ive no idea how to do any of that in 3DSMax but I do follow some threads about it & track making.
For question1 check this thread; http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/spline-trackmaker-and-importgeo-for-3dsmax.62582/

For question6 you'd need to use the ISI AIW/Cam Editor Tool.

I don't know if this is the same as the pdf you had but you could check this thread...
http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/start-to-finish-rfactor-tutorial.54387/

These answers & many more were within the first 2 pages of this section, have a bit of a look-around, Im sure you'll find all you need here...
Good luck!

That is in fact the pdf I was referring too! There's quite a lot of information to digest here, but thanks for your help. Hopefully my other questions can be answered as well.