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After setting up the different LODs in Gmax and exporting to trainsim *.s files and then saving the Gmax file (along with the LOD data), on occasion, when I open the file back up, I get model duplication (or quadruplication is probably a better term). In other words when I look at my objects list, I've now got 4 of everything and the polygon counter is 4 times as great as what it was originally. The duplicates are all superimposed on each other but I can delete the the 3 extra models. When I do though and then go back into the trainsim exporter, Gmax crashes. This doesn't happen often but when it does I can't recover the file (I've tried all sorts of combinations of deleting, resaving etc with no luck). Has anyone else ever seen this and know how to avoid it or how to recover a file with this phenomena.Thanks for any help.
The duplication you mention is normal. That's how the LODs work. When you create a new LOD gmax makes a new instance of the model, copying everything from the previous (closer) level. You can then delete polygon objects from the new LOD, thereby simplifying the model for more distant viewing. The duplication carries over into the shape file; you'll notice it gets considerably larger as you create more LODs.gmax seems to require a consistent set of layer names in each LOD. If there are extra ones or missing ones in any level the exporter will fail. That's why you should always delete polygons, not layers. Even if in a far-away view a particular layer has no shapes left in it, don't delete the layer!If you need to revise your LODs, the very first thing you should do after you load your model is go into the LOD tool and execute the "delete all LOD information" command, then save. The multiple instances of each layer will remain, however. This is a pain because they are not necessarily listed in LOD order. So if you want do remove, say, the second LOD level, deleting the second instance of each layer name probably won't work. I do it the hard way. I hide everything but the instances of a single layer. Then I view each one until I find out which one is the original. I delete the ones I don't want and then work through the rest of the layers, one set at a time. There's probably an easier way, but I haven't discovered it.I don't know how to recover your file. If it will open at all, do the delete-LOD-information thing immediately.Hope this helps...at least maybe next time. Rick
Rick, thanks a bunch! This is exactly the information I needed! Luckily the file with all of the layers (which I though were erroneous duplicates) is still intact and I've been able to use your technique to alter the LODS.I don't understand why the mult-layer listing only occurs sometimes. The locomotive file which was saved with 4 LODs has four layers and the all 4 show up in the Select Objects list (and reports 4 times the original number of polygons). The tender, which was also saved with 4 LODs only shows one layer in the Select Objects list and reports only the original number of polygons (even though I can cycle through the different LODs in the TRAIN SIM LOD tool pull down menu). So maybe it's the tender file that didn't save correctly instead of the locomotive file???
"The tender, which was also saved with 4 LODs only shows one layer in the Select Objects list"Same thing happens to me. Like a lot of things in gmax I never had the time to figure out why. However, I am comforted by my trust that, as always, both the computer and the software are doing exactly what I tell them to do. Anyway, glad to be of help. And I think your shape files should be OK -- mine seem to be.Rick Grout Taipei, ROC