Relink Bitmaps
Relink Bitmaps is a script to easily relink all missing files (Bitmaps, VRayMeshes, Mental Ray Proxies, VRayHDRI, IES, etc) when they change directories or when you move computers, check out the short video tutorial below for more detailed information.
Unlike some other scripts of its kind, this is free! There is a small donation link within the script if you choose to donate, I will remove the nag. It is a simple licensing system, that does not force you to transfer network cards or be connected to the internet and will work with all versions of Max that are supported by the script. If you choose to donate I'll be more than happy to license multiple computers as well.
Features:
[*] All 3dsmax supported Bitmap Texture types
[*] (new) Relinks Mental Ray Proxy files
[*] (new) Relinks VRay Proxies (.vrmesh)
[*] (new) Relinks VRayHDRI files
[*] (new) Relinks IES files (including VRayIES files)
[*] (new) Automatically checks for script updates and new versions
[*] 250% speed increase from previous versions
[*] Command-line mode available for automating repetative tasks (see documentation on the website)
[*] Configurable default user options saving button clicks and wasted time
Relink Bitmaps webpage:
https://colinsenner.com/relink-bitmaps/
Supported Max versions: Max 2018+
(Older versions should work, but are not supported moving forward)
Best,
Colin
(Watch the video for more detailed instructions for usage)
1. Run the .mzp file (Self-installing file)
2. In Max goto "Customize -> Customize User Interface -> Toolbars tab -> Category: ColinScripts->Relink Bitmaps" and drag "Relink Bitmaps" to a toolbar, click to run.
Comments
That new functionality
That new functionality sounds great. A really good idea.
You know, that reminds me of something (slightly related)... I've found one "sneaky" spot where bitmaps can "hide", and not be found using any means other than manual hunting (even Relink Bitmaps doesn't catch them)... If a bitmap is loaded into an "Unwrap UVW" modifier, it effectively runs in "stealth mode", and doesn't show up in any of the regular spots. If missing/moved/etc, it can still cause network rendering issues.
Collapsing modifier stacks seems to be the easiest way to remedy the situation.
...
Took about a day of hair pulling to corner that one.
Good call Britt! Following
Good call Britt! Following Britt's instructions (of removing User Paths/External Files) before you open the scene should make them missing. Of course renaming the root folder of the maps to something from like
"C:\Maps\" to "C:\MapsZ" should also break the connection and make them go missing, in which case you could copy the maps to the network directory and relink them there.
Hopefully you are right Britt.
Also: I'm planning on updating this script providing a bit more functionality (I've written a separate script that will plugin to this one which when given a bitmap name will populate the material editor with all materials it is assigned to and help you track down missing maps which I'm thinking of incorporating, what do you think britt?)
-Colin
Sorry to butt-in, but maybe
Sorry to butt-in, but maybe it's about files that are mapped to a local drive and thus "found" when opened on the same machine where they reside (and consequently not displayed as "missing" by Relink Bitmaps), however, when the scene is sent to network render, Max fails to find the file(s) (since it is still expecting them to be local, and not on the network drive)... ?
If that is the issue, then it should just be a matter of deleting all local directories listed under Max's "Customize/Configure User Paths/External Files" prior to opening the scene and running the Relink Bitmap script.
Dunno... Seems a bit unrelated to the script itself, but I figure it's worth a shot.
Good luck!
I still don't understand,
I still don't understand, relink-bitmaps script if it finds a missing bitmap and you tell it where to look it will search for the missing bitmap and when it finds it, it will re-assign it.
-Colin
Hope this helps, I'll need more information if you are having a problem. Maybe you could step-by-step me through your problem?
I't not missing, it's
I't not missing, it's "found" (when it cant be found by it's primary path, but found in one of project's paths). Network render cant assign render to server when one of those maps in scene.
p.s.: Sorry 4 my eng.
Are you saying that
Are you saying that relink-bitmaps can't find a bitmap in your scene but you know it's missing? Please let me know.
-Colin
It's not see path marked as
It's not see path marked as "found"? I can't send to network render with such maps.
I have 2 maps with same bitmap, but one - "ok", other - "found". Script can't see it. =(
Brittnell, For now to
Brittnell,
For now to keep compatibility with users that haven't switched over yet it will work with max versions 7+. Thanks for the point! Tell your co-workers. Please revisit the installation instructions for any install confusion as it's changed in the past 2 versions.
Best,
Colin
AWESOME... Thanks! Now I
AWESOME... Thanks!
Now I just wish I could add more points for this script.
Ps. We are using Max2008 if that makes any difference.
Brittnell, Added support
Brittnell,
Added support for ignoring case in the script, please note due to max not including a native toUppercase function until Max2008 enabling it will result in a bit slower execution, however other enhancements were done with regards to speed.
Note: I've also added USER EDITABLE VARIABLES for users like you and me who use this script alot. It allows you to easily change your default options for script execution
Things like:
Defaulting Recursive Searching off / on
Defaulting Ignore Case off / on
Changing the default Browsing Directory to your main resource of maps etc.
To edit these variables open the script and edit the values under the section entitled "USER EDITABLE VARIABLES".
Enjoy,
Colin