Arealight script by Johan Thorngren - http://www.trinisica.com

I hope to continue doing a few small maxscripts and will include them in this "package" when I feel they work properly.

Use this tool at your own risk. I take no responsibility for any harm caused by their usage or installation. This script is only tested in 3D Studio Max 4.2

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3D Studio Max 4 - Installation instructions:
(illustrated instructions are available at http://www.trinisica.com)

1; If you have installed a early version of the arealight script go to your max/scripts/startup folder and delete it [named something like trinisica_arealight...ms]. Close Max if you have it running at this point as well.

2; Copy the file [trinisica_arealight_v008.ms] to your scripts/startup directory

3; Start max. :)

4; Under the [Create] menu you will find the [Trinisica] sublevel where the arealight can be found.


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Quick Instructions:
-- Remember that the 'lights' it arrays over the surface is based on the vertices of the area light object. Avoid too high numbers as it will make Max very unstable.
-- To use a bitmap as a base for the coloring of the area light, fetch the material from the scene and add the bitmap (nothing else will work) to the diffuse slot.  Then you have to apply a UVW modifier to the stack of the arealight and have it set on planar, remember that you need to adjust the UVW modifier if you change the dimensions of the arealight.
-- The shadow parameters work exactly as the 'normal' light in Max -- since they are basically the same.

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Release History:
0.0.8 :: 01.04.2002 ::  Bitmap support added for color values to arealight, not 'projection'.  Added some warnings before generation and automatic addition of UVW modifier. Fixed some general issues.
0.0.7 :: 12.28.2001 ::  Added decay to the arealight. Added Jitter option - that should be able to bring down the 'samples' a tad, just stay away from it in animations ;)
0.0.6 :: 12.27.2001 ::  Added renderable switch and light/material color to rollout.
0.0.5 :: 11.04.2001 ::  First version made public

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Additional Information:
Note that it might have some odd effects if used with other 'external' render engines. Its proven to work properly in both Max 4.2 scanline and Brazil R/S. If you have any ideas for additional scripts feel free to email me.

If you find any bugs in the usage of any of the scripts, please contact me.

Have fun.

Johan Thorngren
http://www.trinisica.com
scriptfeedback@trinisica.com
