Hello, I am relatively new to creating 3d models in 3dMax. Currently I am trying to make a cupboard that when placed in Poser the doors will open and close. I can make the cupboard with doors with ease, However when I import it into Poser, Poser does not see the doors as separate objects, that I can manipulate. It does see them as separate in the material room. Am I missing a step in Max, or is it in poser I need to do something? Any help would be appreciated.

Try to save the door as a separate object.

Thank you for responding, I can save it as a separate object but then It would be simply 2 objects one that I'm rotating. I was kind of hoping to have this act like a single figure with a specific Parameter dial labeled Open / Close, when I'm done with it. Or am I barking up the wrong tree all together?

Eagle_hawke, this tutorial may help. It mentions Lightwave but any modelling program will work. There is a similar tutorial on that site for making figures if you choose to go that route.

Hello,

The tutorial suggested by gmm2 is very good. In the freestuff section, you can download the following item as an example. Cupboard item It is an articulated prop with dial to control the door and the shelf

Allstereo

Parent each door object (door 1, door 2) to the cupboard frame.

Change the rotation centers/endpoints to accomodate desired rotations (making sure center and end values are aligned x and z axis) for each door using the joint editor.

Rename each Y rotate parm dial for the doors (little triangle opposite relevant dial, settings) to open/close. Set min limit/max limit values (+/-) to taste via same. min 0.00 fully closed/max -180.00 fully open for example (test to find preferred values).

Save as prop to library using select subset option. Click universe checkbox to clear hierarchy. Select frame and both doors, name, save.

Open saved .pp2 in text editor, locate renamed rotation dials (rotateY yRotate) in file, locate setting 'forceLimits' change value from 0 to 1.

Extract/remove embedded geometry .obj info (you can just copy the entire .obj block and paste into a blank .txt file renaming extension .obj if you're experienced editing groups etc in .obj), place .obj file path reference to geometries folder (goes where the .obj block once was, look at another open .pp2 to see exactly), place .obj in geometries. Save edited .pp2.

You'll probably want to do some other stuff like hiding dials, etc.

...in case that tutorial doesn't cover something, I didn't look. Just ask if you run into any snags.

I would just use a utility to extract the embedded geometry if I were you (if you plan on distribution), I personally do that kind of stuff in a text editor and am pretty familiar with .obj editing but many find just using a utility a lot easier, fast.

http://www.cocs.com/poser/props2.htm

That's a tutorial that lays out specifics if you're adventurous. There's a bunch of utilities, just google 'embedded geometry poser'.

I can also lend advice if you plan on going the .cr2 route with this.

Thank you all for your guidance. I will probably try the utility first off, but I think it will still pay to take the longer route in the long run. Thanks again to all of you, I'll let you know how it works out.