Page 1243 - Kitab3DsMax

CHAPTER
Expanding Max with
Third-Party Plug-Ins

A IN THIS CHAPTER
plug-in is an external program that integrates seamlessly with the Max
interface to provide additional functionality. Autodesk has adopted an
architecture for Max that is open and enables all aspects of the program
to be enhanced. Max ships with a Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) that enables Using Turbo Squid Tentacles
users to generate their own plug-ins. Many companies currently produce plug- Understanding plug-ins
ins, and other users create and distribute freeware and shareware plug-ins.
Locating plug-ins
The purpose of this chapter isn’t to cover all the available plug-ins or to teach you
how to create plug-ins, but simply to show you how to install and access plug-ins. Installing, viewing, and
At the end of the chapter is a list of Web links you can use to locate plug-ins for managing plug-ins
Max. The entire architecture of Max is built around plug-ins, and many of the
core components of Max are implemented as them. Max ships with a robust SDK Looking at plug-in examples
that includes all the information you need to create your own plug-ins.
A key feature that allowed Max to become and remain so popular is that users can
download and install plug-ins that extend Max’s power and functionality. Plug-ins
allow Max to adapt to the needs of each user as well as keep up with new ideas.
One plug-in that is worth closer inspection ships with Max and is installed by
default. The Turbo Squid Tentacles plug-in provides access to a Web site of con-
tent that you can buy, download, and use. This content includes models, tex-
tures, and even plug-ins.

Using Turbo Squid Tentacles
If you need a frog for the background of your scene and you don’t have the time
or the inclination to create one (maybe you’re worried about getting warts), then
another option is to buy a model that is already made.
Turbo Squid Tentacles is a separate installation that is accessed from the installation
discs. Once installed, it shows up as a menu option to the right of all other menus.
The menu options include Search Marketplace for browsing content online, Open
My Files for retrieving any downloaded content that you’ve purchased, and Save to
Tentacles for uploading content to the Turbo Squid marketplace.

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