Gmax
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- This software product has been discontinued.
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[edit] Introduction
Gmax was a 3D modeling application based on Discreet's award winning 3D Studio Max (3DS Max) used by professional computer graphics artists. Whereas 3DS Max is a comprehensive modeling, animation, and rendering package with some secondary post-production and compositing features, Gmax is much more limited due to its singular intended use—game content creation. Tools and features rarely used or completely unrelated to creating 3D game models were removed (most if not all of the more complex rendering, materials, shaders, physics simulation, and some of the more advanced geometry tools, plus the rendering engine), leaving the core modeling, texturing, and basic animation rigging and keyframing capabilities.
Gmax can be expanded by "game packs", which feature customized tools with the purpose of creating and exporting customizable content to games and websites. As Gmax was bereft of its progenitor's rendering engine, game packs were typically required to provide such a feature for Gmax if deemed necessary (Maxis was the first company to write a dedicated (yet hard to learn) renderer for their gmax gamepack, BAT—Building Architect Tool—for SimCity 4).
The introduction of Gmax—and Autodesk's distribution of the core tools of what is normally a several hundred to several thousand dollar software package, but for free—was thought by a number of digital artists and modders to be aimed towards remedying the 'limited-options piracy' of 3D modeling packages that had been widespread among amateur 3D modeling and game mod communities to that point. Until the introduction of Gmax (and a similar 'game modeler' version of Maya soon after), anyone other than professional artists who wished to create their own models or art for 3D games had extremely limited access to the tools needed to do so. They could pay full price for a several thousand dollar software package, all of which they would probably be unfamiliar or unskilled with and most of which they would never use; try and find somebody who had the tools or access to them; or obtain a pirated copy. The problem was exacerbated by the age groups involved: as the software's use was largely related to PC games and drew from their audience, a sizable number (possibly the majority) of the users were younger—early or mid teens to post-college age—and the vast majority simply did not have the financial resources to legitimately purchase the software themselves, especially when they would not be recouping the cost through commercial use. A common unspoken ethical conclusion was that a blind eye would be turned to the piracy of 3D packages amongst peers, until or unless they started making money using the software, at which point the full commercially licensed package would have to be purchased. As 3D games matured and end-user modifcation spread, so did the piracy. While a number of free or less expensive 3D modeling programs such as Blender or Rhinoceros 3D did emerge, they either lacked the publicity (Blender) or key capabilities (Rhino was essentially a CAD program) to fully interact with the latest games. Interestingly, MilkShape 3D, a very low-cost and simple modeling, texturing, and animation program originally made to create content for Counter-Strike, succeeded precisely because of these dilemmas, despite its much more basic capabilities.
Gmax changed all of this.
The accessibility of Gmax and its game packs to the average user meant that, for the first time, users and modders had legimate access to content creation tools of the same power as those used by game developers and art teams; if the prospective amateur artist had the proper skills to use the tools (a separate matter entirely, but feasible), they could create new models and content every bit as good as that which came with professionally made games.
[edit] Redistribution
Microsoft has distributed gmax with Microsoft Flight Simulator since the 2002 version. Most of the freeware and also payware add-on aircraft and scenery is done with gmax and it's considered to be the standard modeller for MSFS. It can make use of special animations through XML coding written into parts.
[edit] Cancellation
As of October 16, 2005 AutoDesk Media and Entertainment has discontinued Gmax. They no longer support Gmax. Instead, the company has decided to focus on 3D Studio Max. However the last version of Gmax is available for free to download from the official support website. Maya Personal Learning Edition, a similar 'mod builder' variant of Maya, is still active. Caligari previously released an older version of TrueSpace for free. Lightwave has many of the same capabilities as 3D Studio Max, but costs significantly less. MilkShape 3D, another 3D modelling program, is still in active development. Blender, an open-source 3D program, is still available.
