3ds Max Track Importer for No Limits 2

Hey everyone,

I created this little plugin for 3ds Max that lets you import spline data from No Limits 2 and create your own custom track profile. It can be used to create custom track looks or to create a clearance envelope for your tracks. I added a couple of predefined track styles but you can create your own if you want.

What can it do?

• Import detailed model from your track
• Add mapping coordinates for striped rails etc.
• Add your own track style

Currently not supported:

• Tracks with diagonal cross ties

I also currently haven't included any clearance envelopes but they can be created using the small instruction included in the readme.

Included tracks:

B&M:

B&M Invert:

Arrow Style Corkscrew:

Intamin Mega Coaster:

Intamin Pantheon Track (MK2)

Meisho:

Morgan Classic:

Morgan Steel Dragon:

Premier:

RMC Raptor:

S&S:

Senyo Kogyo Dive Coaster:

TOGO:

TOGO Ultra Twister:

Vekoma Junior Boomerang:

Vekoma MK1101:

Vekoma MK1101 Invert:

Vekoma Suspended Thrill Coaster:

update log:

1.1:

• added connector ties
• added the ability to connect the start and end of the track
• fixed the scaling issue caused by different world units in 3ds Max

1.2:

• fixed importing crash with very small numbers
• combined the 2 versions of the script into one that works regardless of unit setup

1.3:

• added connectors between ties
• added 5 more track styles including Intamin Mega Coaster, Premier plate and beam style, RMC Raptor and S&S track

1.4:

• fixed the flipped normals issue
• improved the UVW-mapping option
• track now comes with textures
• track is recolorable within the NoLimits editor
• added 2 track styles: Vekoma Junior Boomerang and Meisho

1.5:

• hopefully fixed the UVW-mapping problems
• added the option to generate mapping coordinates for track styles with the rails on the inside of the ties.
• added 3 track styles: Senyo Kogyo, Vekoma STC and special thanks go to Tyrush for providing an accurate model for the Intamin MK2
• Updated all the templates to 3ds Max 2021

You can download the plugin here:

Download 3ds Max Track Importer 1.5 for 3ds Max 2021 and up

Download 3ds Max Track Importer 1.4

Older versions have been removed

Tutorials:

Please let me know what you think of it. Any suggestions, track files etc are welcome to make this plugin even better.

Any chance it would be possible to add track flanges to split the track into sections like in nl2? Looks like a great tool for custom tracks.

Can you add scenic railway track?

Also can you add Ikeda Works Track too?

This is awesome! Will save many headaches with using the blender importer.

Can you add this track style? It is from Meisho.

@Jetcoasterfan: I added a small instruction in the readme that explains how to create your own tracks. It's pretty time consuming to do them myself so you better try making them yourself first.

Wow, excellent stuff! Unbelievably useful stuff here that’ll take NL to the next level

I now have the togo new track max file but how do I make it into a nl2sco file?

@Jetcoasterfan: You export it as a .DAE file, in No Limits, create a new scene object with the NL2SCO editor and attach the .DAE file there.

@Element 115: That's a good idea, I'll look into it for the next update.

Here's an example of how the track can look when you apply materials:

PvM & Element115 youre my heroes. :-)

I have the nl2sco file but it looks like this. It is straight from the 3ds max program. What did I do wrong?

This is an awesome tool and will be really useful for a good visualization of the track when working on 3D models.

Thanks!

How can I make the custom togo track look not all filled in when I generate it in 3ds max? I am using center of rail.

Jetcoasterfan posted on December 31st, 2017

I have the nl2sco file but it looks like this. It is straight from the 3ds max program. What did I do wrong?

That's clearly a mistake in proportions. I never used 3ds max so I have no idea how it works but you might just look if the dimensions match.

How do I make the premade custom togo track smaller in 3ds max?

wow, I can certainly use this! is there a possibility to make the track wider?

Wow! Definitely going to have to give this a try. Looks like it has a lot of potential for somebody who is already pretty familiar with 3ds Max. I can definitely post geometries as I make them.

Jetcoasterfan posted on December 31st, 2017

I have the nl2sco file but it looks like this. It is straight from the 3ds max program. What did I do wrong?

I suspect you used the .3ds file format in which there is an odd units conversion issue. Either use .dae file to export geometry from 3ds Max, or in NL2, change the X, Y, and Z scales from 1 to 39.37 (39.37 inches = 1 meter).

@NoLimitsProjects: Yes, you can adjust the track files to fit your needs. Just keep the instructions in the readme in mind.

As for the scaling problem, you'll have to set the system units of 3ds max to meters. I'll publish an update that fixes this problem after I finish the Seaside Screamer contest.

@PvM Tnx, I will wait for it :)

Hey guys, I updated my script to version 1.1. These are the changes:

• fixed the world unit bug some people were experiencing.
• added the ability to close the track for a continuous circuit.
• I added the ability to add cross ties as shown in this example:

the download link can be found in the first post.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Could this script be used to possibly make custom catwalks? Like ones with narrower walkways and thinner hand railings?

yes that is possible. Just create a new track style and treat the walkway and railing as rails/backbone and the walkway supports and railing bars as ties and connector ties. Only downside is that the bars and supports will always be perpendicular to the track.

Is it at all possible you could create a more detailed tutorial on creating your own track styles? I'm a noob at using 3ds max (or any advanced 3d modeling software for that matter) and I dont really understand the instructions included with the plugin. Thanks in advance

I agree also! I am a 200% Noob at 3ds max too.

I would love to use this, however the main thing holding me back is the fact you cant generate LOD track pieces with this. I dont really know much about 3dsmax, but is it possible to create an LOD model that will work similarly to nl2? (i.e. the things breaking the LOD sections apart are the track connectors)