First for 3dsmax you need the import/export script written by Vercingetorix. This will allow you to export from max into the .cas file format used by everything you need in RTW buildings.
Basically you need to make the model for the building first in max and apply the textures. RTW was the first game I used max for aswell and I took ages trying to find the maxscript menu. If you look at the right hand panel of instruments and take the right most selection at the very top of this panel one of the buttons that drop down should say "maxscript". If you click on this and then on "run script" you will then get the open dialogue so you can open and run vercingetorix's script. You then have to select the "cas import/export" from the drop down menu that originally says convert lighting or something like that. You will then get a selection of commands. Clicking on "Export cas" will export the current scene to a cas file of your choice.
One thing I'd advise is not to import items with the script and then use them in the export because all the lighting and textures goes wrong and you end up with totally black buildings instead of textures. You can import items and then re-make the geometry but for some reason if you use the imported item geometries it doesn't work - you can use imported cas files. Also the export item button doesn't work with the game.
LOD's are saved as separate cas models although I have to admit I seldom use LOD's as I prefer moving on to new buildings though I suppose I must go back and change this at some point.
As I said previously the game reads .item files for buildings and one .item file stores all the LOD info in itself for one building model so there is no need for separate ones. The full database of all items in the game is in descr_items.db and this isn't editable but by deleting it and editing the decompiled version descr_items.txt the game will create a new descr_items.db with your new entries in. Check out this. One thing I will say about point 8 is that you should kill the game or it will overwrite all your item files so make sure you have show_err on and when the error arrives press ctl-alt-delete and end task on RTW.
The entries in descr_items.txt go in this format:
Code:
type your_building_name
lod
max_distance max distance lod will be seen
model_rigid your building cas file for this lod
for example:
Code:
type roman_tenamentA
lod
max_distance 200.0
model_rigid roman_tenamentA_high.CAS
lod
max_distance 400.0
model_rigid roman_tenamentA_med.CAS
lod
max_distance 800.0
model_rigid roman_tenamentA_low.CAS
lod
max_distance 4000.0
model_rigid roman_tenamentA_lowest.CAS
I hope this helps. If you need any more info post and I'll help out.
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