plugin material rayGlass
 name:”Raytraced Glass”
 classID:#(0x82b2cdc2, 0x4f77873e)
 extends:Standard replaceUI:true
 (
 parameters main rollout:params
 (
 Transparency type:#float default:90 ui:trans
 IOR type:#float default:1.6 ui:refrac
 Color type:#color default:white ui:col
 on Transparency set val do
 delegate.refractionmapamount = val/2+50
 on IOR set val do
 delegate.ior = val
 on Color set val do
 (
 delegate.diffuse = val
 delegate.filtercolor = val/2
 delegate.ambient = val*2/5
 )
 )
 rollout params “Parameters”
 (
 group “Glass Parameters”
 (
 spinner trans “Transp.: “ fieldwidth:45 offset:[-90,0]
 spinner refrac “IOR: “ fieldwidth:45 offset:[0,-20]
 colorpicker col “Glass color: “ align:#left offset:[0,-25]
 )
 group “Raytracing Parameters”
 (
 checkbox aa “Local Antialiasing”
 checkbox atn “Attenuation” offset:[120,-20]
 Spinner st “Start:” fieldwidth:50 align:#left offset:[120,0] \
 range:[0,10000,0]
 spinner ed “End: “ fieldwidth:50 align:#left offset:[210,-20] \
 range:[0,10000,100]
 )
 on aa changed state do
 delegate.reflectionmap.parameters.Options__Antialiasing_Enable = state
 on atn changed state do
 (
 local atnx
 if state then atnx = 1 else atnx = 0
 delegate.reflectionmap.parameters.Attenuation_Mode = atnx
 delegate.refractionmap.parameters.Attenuation_Mode = atnx
 if atnx == 1 then (st.enabled = true; ed.enabled = true)
 else (st.enabled = false; ed.enabled = false)
 )
 on st changed val do
 (
 delegate.reflectionmap.parameters.Attenuation_Start = val
 delegate.refractionmap.parameters.Attenuation_Start = val
 )
 on ed changed val do
 (
 delegate.reflectionmap.parameters.Attenuation_End = val
 delegate.refractionmap.parameters.Attenuation_End = val
 )
 on params open do
 (
 aa.state = \ delegate.reflectionmap.parameters.Options__Antialiasing_Enable
 if delegate.reflectionmap.parameters.Attenuation_Mode == 1 then
 atn.checked = true else atn.checked = false
 if atn.checked then (st.enabled = true; ed.enabled = true)
 else (st.enabled = false; ed.enabled = false)
 ) )
 on create do
 (
 delegate.reflectionmap = raytrace()
 delegate.reflectionmapamount = 15
 delegate.refractionmap = raytrace()
 delegate.shaderType = 4
 delegate.specularLevel = 78
 delegate.glossiness = 45
 delegate.Soften = 0.3
 delegate.twoSided = on
 )
 )

Evaluate this script and select the newly created Raytraced Glass material in the Material Editor.

The script defines all basic parameters in the on create event. Then, the script defines a series of parameters and events that will set the object color, transparency, and IOR; and the Raytrace Map parameters, such as Local Antialiasing and Attenuation.

The values used to create the material in this script are completely predefined, not following any rule or math. MAX allows you to assign the original object as a sub-material of this material, so you can modify it as you wish. You can turn off the Raytrace Maps, and even change them to other maps.

Building Geometry Using Plug-ins

Besides extending existing plug-ins, you can also write plug-ins from scratch. These plug-ins are divided in two categories: plug-in systems, which work just like systems, creating other objects without allowing the user to modify them after being created; and the plug-ins that actually create data from scratch.

Only 3D geometry, render effects, and modifiers can be created from scratch.

Creating a System-like Plug-in

You can create system-like plug-in scripts, like the Ring Array System object. It creates a series of boxes and allows us to adjust and specify parameters, but after the objects are created, you can no longer manipulate those values.

These plug-in scripts are another way you can create a series of objects, the same way you can with a tool. They also allow you to create a rollout that will adjust the creation parameters, but later the objects will behave as if they had no relationship with each other.

You will now create a script that will draw a dummy hand—the same hand you used in Chapter 15 to animate the fingers’ movement—as seen in Figure 18.10.

FIGURE 18.10  Dummy hand

Start a new script and type in Listing 18.9, or open the file titled plugin_hand.ms on the CD.

© 2000, Frol (selection, edition, publication)