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Webtables

Webtables are a principal feature in MaxWhere. Their contents are set outside Blender, but their position and orientation can be set inside the scene to be exported, together with all other objects in the MaxWhere-space-to-be.

Adding a webtable

One of the MaxWhere Blender Exporter addon's convenience functions is the add webtable menu. It adds a sort of plane-like object that can be positioned freely and defines properties needed for the exporter to create a compatible webtable for the MaxWhere space.

A webtable can be added to the scene by choosing the Add->MaxWhere->Webtable option at the 3D Viewport header menu (see Creating the Blender scene to be exported)

The Webtable operator panel

Webtable settings Webtable guide example

The Webtable operator panel contains the following settings:

  • Align - this has no effect on the webtable.
  • Location X/Y/Z - this has no effect on the webtable during placement. Location values can be set when the webtable is already added to the scene.
  • Rotation X/Y/Z - this has no effect on the webtable during placement. Rotation values can be set when the webtable is already added to the scene.
  • Size - one of the predefined sizes can be chosen here. If a custom-sized webtable is needed it can be set after the webtable is already added to the scene.
  • Resolution - one of the predefined resolutions can be chosen here. Generally advised to leave it at the default option of autoresolution, which will calculate an appropriate resolution for any arbitrary size. If a custom resolution is needed it can be set to any desired values after the webtable is already added to the scene, at Object Properties in the custom properties panel. Webtable_custom_properties
  • Guide - this is a convenience function for less experienced modelers; shows the active side of the webtable by placing an image rectangle under it visible only from one side. It can be seen by setting "Viewport Display" to "Wire" on the webtable object, see on images above. Experienced users may not need it, as the active side of the webtable is always on the local +Z side. The guide rectangle will not be transferred to the MaxWhere space.
    Guides can only be added when the webtable is generated.

As all operator panels, the Webtable panel also stores the last used settings until Blender is closed.

Adjusting a webtable after placement

As a general rule of thumb, the webtable in MaxWhere will be placed as it is seen in the Sidebar (N menu); in other words, the webtable will be placed and oriented according to its local axes.

This means that you should not do an applied transform (with the Ctrl+A Apply menu) at all, as it moves the local axes back to the scene origo no matter where the webtable rectangle is. Size, rotation, and position should be set in the Sidebar; resolution at Object Properties. It is recommended to use the same ratio for the size and resolution otherwise the result may be less satisfactory.

Generally, it is a good idea not to enter the edit mode at all when it comes to a webtable. Do not apply any modifiers on them, either.