Q:
I have been messing around with 3ds4 at school and I am trying to do
something that well I just can't figure out...
(grin)
I would like to be able to make a wood floor that will reflect what is
above it. I move a camera around and would like it to work in an
animation.
A:
For your wooden floor you need a so-called Automatic Flat Mirror (along
with the texture mapping...). In the Material Editor, create the
material, then go to the last mapping slot and click on the A sign. Now
the slot says Automatic. Click on the word to adjust the settings. Turn
Flat Mirror to Yes and select OK. It is VERY important how you assign
this material to your object. If you have a 3D floor (like a flat box),
select only the upper faces (Select/Faces/Window) and assign the
material to the selection (Material/Assign/Faces *Selected*) Because you
might have texture mappings, you still need Mapping coordinates, but
they have nothing to do with the reflection itself. Never assign a flat
mirror to a whole object.
It is impotant to know that the mirror is visible only at the side with
the normals, even with Force-2-Sided ON. And two flat mirrors cannot see
each-other's reflections! (Non-flat can, but they work bad with flat
surfaces.)