(help) using reference pics?

[Makubex]

Hey all! New here, and new to modeling.

I've been lurking around these forums for 2 days, and decided this seems like a great place to learn, so I signed up! :wave:

Now I could really use some help though getting started. I've been following a few tutorials, but I get stuck at the first few steps of alot of them, because I can't seem to get the hang of using reference pictures to model, as many of the tutorials suggest you do.

I know how to set them up, you make a plane the same size as your picture, and then apply the picture to it, but what then? Whenever I try to model off of it, my models go half-way through the picture, and I can never see how close/far from the picture I'm modeling so things get all out of scale.

In other words....I need help >__<.

I'd appreciate any tips you guys have, thanks!

*Edit: Btw, I'm using 3D Studio Max 6.

[niki]

which software are you using?
you can try to put your reference into background

[Athey]

Since you're using max, I recommend setting your reference picture as the viewport background, instead of applying it to a plane.

Also, it's a good idea to use the orthographic views (front, side, top) to start with, and then go into perspective for tweaks and adjusting things. The orthographic views have no perspective, so there's no worries about your model being out of scale or anything with the reference image.

[Brin]

There are plenty of methods for this, I ALWAYS use the apply image to a plane method, all you have to do is move the plane backwards and then it wont get in the way, of your model.

So if you are using the front view, Switch to the Top view and move the refrence plane backwards make sure you only move it in one direction. Then switch back to the front view, the scene should look exactly the same.

Welcome to the forum btw.

Brin.

[XandocA]

Get the max script "Tracer": http://www.digitalflipbook.com/archives/2005/03/tracer_130.php

[Makubex]

Alright, thanks for all the help!

I'll try moving the plane back and see if that helps.

I tried applying the picture to the backround, but then I can't seem to zoom in on it or anything, is there a way to make it bigger and smaller within Max?

Also, whats that Tracer script? I went to the site and read the discription, but I'm still not too sure.

Thanks again for all the help!

[Brent]

if you put image as bkgnd.....make sure[lock zoom-pan] is checked in the settings.....then you can zoom and pan the bkgnd
tracer script just makes the planes for you....so you don`t have to:)

[Brin]

Hey, XandocA Thanks for the script pointer! thats pretty good, takes the hastle out of remembering the image sizes :roll:

Makubex, as said above the script just makes the refrence planes for you and applies the images, but you run it by clicking on Maxscript>run script, then finding the unzipped file you downloaded, This will extract the actual script and put it in your max scripts folder.

So then you just goto Maxscript>run Script again, and find your max script folder, my default location was> G:\3dsmax6\scripts\DigitalFlipbook, then run tracer.ms


There is also a read me file installed here but it should be easy to follow.

Brin