This document describes the templates that are included in the Furniture Builder Templates package.
You use one of these templates as the basis of a new model that you can use and sell in There. Follow these steps:
1. Choose one of the templates as the basis for your new model.
2. Use gmax® or 3ds max™ to modify the corresponding gmax or 3ds max model. Your new model needn’t look anything like the original, but it must adhere to the modeling guidelines (described below).
Note: If you’re using gmax, make sure you launch the application using the ThereGamePack shortcut that was placed on the desktop when you installed the Builder Toolkit.
3. When you’re satisfied with your new model, export it as a There .model file using the File4Export command. You should choose a new name for your model when you export it so you don’t clobber the default version that’s included with the package.
4. Open your newly exported .model file in TherePreviewer. Although your model is ready to submit to There, you can use the application to re-skin your model, first.
5. Use TherePreviewer’s File4Snapshot command to create a snapshot of the your model.
6. Use TherePreviewer’s File4Submit to There… command to submit your creation to There.
Your new model must follow these general guidelines:
· For most product types, you must not move, alter, rename or remove the model nodes that are in the templates. For "seating" product types (ie. chairs, sofas and group seating), you may move or reorient the sit-nodes, subject to the restrictions mentioned below.
· The vertical and the horizontal dimensions of the textures that you apply to your model, measured in pixels, must (each) be a power of two.
· The minimum texture size is 4x4.
· The minimum width, height, and depth for all models is 0.01.
In addition, each template description, below, contains a Model Constraints section that provides template-specific guidelines for you model:
Max
# vertices: The
maximum number of vertices, per LOD.
Max # polygons: The maximum number of polygons for each LOD and for the collision mesh.
Max visible distance: The maximum distance, in
meters, at which a particular LOD is displayed.
Max width,
height, depth: The
maximum width, height, and depth of the model’s largest LOD, in meters. In gmax and 3ds max, these
dimensions are called the model’s “X dimension,”
“Y dimension,” and “Z dimension,” respectively.
Max
# textures: The
maximum number of textures.
Max single texture dimensions: The maximum height and width of any one
texture, in pixels.
Max total texture size: The maximum total size of all textures, in pixels.
The "seating" product types (ie. chairs, sofas and group seating) contain sit-nodes that define the positions, orientations and behavior of avatars that interact with items created using these templates. These nodes appear in the template files with node names that begin with "SLOT#," where "#" is a digit identifying the sit-node in the product type. Developers are permitted to move and/or reorient these sit-nodes, subject to the following restrictions:
The sit-nodes must be within the boundaries defined by the maximum dimensions of the product type.
Alterations to the sit-nodes must not break animations and/or server side physics.
You cannot remove sit nodes from or add sit-nodes to the product type template.
For product types that have integrated "loveseats" (such as sofas and the 5-seat group seating), the sit nodes that define the positioning of avatars on these loveseats must be kept consistent; that is, the nodes must be matched correctly, kept at the correct distance from each other (the centers of these nodes must be 0.929m apart) and in the correct order (the left sit-node must match with the right).
The sit-nodes must not be positioned in ways that put avatars using the product in indelicate situations.
The Developer 8-Seat Group Seating product types, both the Painter and Builder versions, will behave a little differently than the ones available in the There Shop. In particular, these items will have the following characteristics:
Developer 8-seater product types will not have any loveseats; all the sit-nodes will behave as if they are individual "chairs" arranged in a pattern. This means that the "kiss" emote will not be available from any of the seats. For Builders, having eight individual chairs offers an incredible amount of flexibility, as the sit-nodes can be arranged in a variety of configurations without the forced pairing restrictions imposed by the loveseats.
Whereas the sit action tags on traditional chairs, couches and group seating items have always had labels that simply said "SIT," the action tags on the Developer 8-seater product types will be numbered (ie. "SIT 1," "SIT 2," "SIT 3," etc.).
These product types have a property that allow nearby chat balloons to be visible, even if they are from avatars that are not within the chat group. For example, if you have an 8-seater with seats arranged in a horseshoe or circular pattern and all eight seats are occupied, another avatar could place a chair in the middle and will be able to participate in the chat; this avatar's chat bubbles will be solid, not dimmed. There are, of course, restrictions imposed by the system (ie. you can have a maximum of seven high-priority chat bubbles, and you are still limited to seeing the 20 closest avatars), but this feature makes it possible to butt together two Developer 8-seaters and be able to see solid chat bubbles between the two seating groups.
The Dance Floor is a new product type that is a special variation of the 8-Seat Group Seating product type. Like the 8-seaters, the Dance Floor has eight sit-nodes that can be positioned to define the placement of avatars interacting with the item. But unlike the 8-seaters, avatars using the product will stand rather than sit, so these "sit-nodes" will actually function as "stand-nodes," which makes working with the Dance Floor template slightly different. Here are some things you should be aware of:
The root node of the model (the node named "master") is the target of the "camera," and the placement of this node affects the various camera angles. Ideally, this node should be positioned in the approximate center of the model's "floor" area; that is, the X and Y coordinates of the root node's center should be at or near the middle of the dance floor.
The root node also defines the starting height of chat balloons for text chat. If the node is too low, then chat balloons will appear low as well, usually obscuring the faces of avatars as they chat. If the node is too high, then the chat balloons will often appear out of camera view. Ideally, the root node should be positioned 1m above the collision surface that defines the floor; that is, the Z coordinate should be 1m higher than the top of the collision mesh that you created for the dance floor.
Unlike sit-nodes, stand-nodes do not hold an avatar in a sitting position
There are eight stand-nodes, named "SLOT00" to "SLOT07," and these nodes define the positioning and orientation of the avatars standing on the dance floor. You can move these nodes around as you wish, but there are some restrictions:
The stand-nodes should be positioned approximately 1.5m above the collision surfaces that define the floor below the avatar. This is important because these nodes define the animations used when avatars join and leave the dance floor, and also the placement of the action tags. If the stand-nodes are positioned too high above the floor, for example, avatars will appear to fall from the sky when joining the chat group, and will have action tags above their heads (usually out of camera view).
While you are allowed to reposition the stand-nodes and modify their angles, it is recommended that you keep them at least 1.5m apart from each other, particularly when you create patterns where some avatars are paired as "dance partners." This is the ideal distance and minimizes the staggering effect caused when another avatar walks between two avatars standing on the dance floor.
Try to keep all the stand-nodes within an 8m radius of the center of the root node. Positioning stand nodes on the outer edges of the model may put avatars in the chat group outside of the camera ranges.
The Previewer will not let you submit a model where the root node is outside the bounding box, and this restriction still applies for the Dance Floor product type. If your model is just a platform that acts as a floor, the Previewer may not allow you to submit it because the root node would be hovering above the floor and, therefore, outside of the bounding box. The recommended workaround is to attach a very tiny render poly to one of the LODs that "raises the ceiling," effectively expanding the height of the bounding box so the root node is inside it. The preferred LOD to attach this poly to is LOD2, as it would be virtually invisible at that distance. The 3DS MAX and gmax template files for the Dance Floor both have an example render poly named "bounding_box_expander," which is 3m above the floor and was purposely left unattached so you could see how it affects the model's bounding box. If you export this model and attempt to submit it unaltered, the Previewer would reject it because the root node would be outside of the bounding box. But if you attached the bounding_box_expander poly to LOD2 before you exported it, the root node would now be within the bounding box and the Previewer would allow you to submit it. This is an important consideration when working on dance floors, so please be aware of it when working on items under this product type.

gmax model: Furniture_Cabinet.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Cabinet.max
Default There model: furniture_cabinet.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 250 140 70 NA
Max # polygons: 125 70 35 20
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 6.0, 6.0, 6.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 49,152
gmax model: Furniture_Cabinet.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Cabinet.max
Default There model: furniture_cabinet.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 250 140 70 NA
Max # polygons: 125 70 35 20
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 6.0, 6.0, 6.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 196,608
gmax model: Furniture_Cabinet.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Cabinet.max
Default There model: furniture_cabinet.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 100 50 30 NA
Max # polygons: 50 25 15 10
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 6.0, 6.0, 6.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 49,152
gmax model: Furniture_Cabinet.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Cabinet.max
Default There model: furniture_cabinet.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 250 140 70 NA
Max # polygons: 125 70 35 20
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 6.0, 6.0, 6.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 49,152
gmax model: Furniture_Cabinet.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Cabinet.max
Default There model: furniture_cabinet.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 250 140 70 NA
Max # polygons: 125 70 35 20
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 6.0, 6.0, 6.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 458,472

gmax model: Furniture_RedChair.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_RedChair.max
Default There model: furniture_redchair.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg
(legs)
redchair.jpg (cloth)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 191 90 50 NA
Max # polygons: 90 45 25 23
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 3.0, 6.0, 3.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 128
Max total texture
size: 16,384
gmax model: Furniture_RedChair.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_RedChair.max
Default There model: furniture_redchair.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg (legs)
redchair.jpg (cloth)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 220 110 60 NA
Max # polygons: 120 60 30 25
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 4.0, 8.0, 4.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 65536
gmax model: Furniture_RedChair.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_RedChair.max
Default There model: furniture_redchair.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg (legs)
redchair.jpg (cloth)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 220 110 60 NA
Max # polygons: 120 60 30 25
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 4.0, 8.0, 4.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 327,680

gmax model: Furniture_BlueCouch.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_BlueCouch.max
Default There model: furniture_bluecouch.model
Default textures: bluecouch.jpg
(sofa body)
bluend.jpg (stump swirls)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 300 160 70 NA
Max # polygons: 160 80 40 25
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 355.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 3.0, 6.0, 3.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 24576
gmax model: Furniture_BlueCouch.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_BlueCouch.max
Default There model: furniture_bluecouch.model
Default textures: bluecouch.jpg (sofa body)
bluend.jpg (stump swirls)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 400 200 100 NA
Max # polygons: 200 100 50 30
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 5.0, 10.0, 5.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 98304
gmax model: Furniture_BlueCouch.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_BlueCouch.max
Default There model: furniture_bluecouch.model
Default textures: bluecouch.jpg (sofa body)
bluend.jpg (stump swirls)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 400 200 100 NA
Max # polygons: 200 100 50 30
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 5.0, 10.0, 5.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 360,448

gmax
model: Furniture_Group.gmax
3ds
max model: Furniture_Group.max
Default
There model: furniture_group.model
Default
textures: woodgrain.jpg
(frames and table)
gothfabric.jpg
(cloth)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1050 575 300 NA
Max # polygons: 550 300 150 70
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 7.0, 7.0, 7.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 49152
gmax model: Furniture_Group.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Group.max
Default There model: furniture_group.model
Default textures: woodgrain.jpg (frames and table)
gothfabric.jpg (cloth)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1050 575 300 NA
Max # polygons: 550 300 150 70
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 7.0, 7.0, 7.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 311,296

gmax
model: Furniture_Group_8_Seat.gmax
3ds
max model: Furniture_Group_8_Seat.max
Default
There model: furniture_group_8_seat.model
Default
textures: bluecouch.jpg
(sofa body)
blueend.jpg (stump
swirls)
redchair.jpg (cloth
for chairs)
woodgrain.jpg
(legs)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1600 800 400 NA
Max # polygons: 900 450 225 100
Max visible distance: 50.0 100.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 24576

gmax
model: Furniture_Group_8_Seat.gmax
3ds
max model: Furniture_Group_8_Seat.max
Default
There model: furniture_group_8_seat.model
Default
textures: bluecouch.jpg
(sofa body)
blueend.jpg (stump
swirls)
redchair.jpg (cloth
for chairs)
woodgrain.jpg
(legs)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1600 800 400 NA
Max # polygons: 900 450 225 100
Max visible distance: 50.0 100.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 49152

gmax
model: Furniture_Group_8_Seat.gmax
3ds
max model: Furniture_Group_8_Seat.max
Default
There model: furniture_group_8_seat.model
Default
textures: bluecouch.jpg
(sofa body)
blueend.jpg (stump
swirls)
redchair.jpg (cloth
for chairs)
woodgrain.jpg
(legs)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1600 800 400 NA
Max # polygons: 900 450 225 100
Max visible distance: 50.0 100.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 98152

gmax
model: Furniture_Group_8_Seat.gmax
3ds
max model: Furniture_Group_8_Seat.max
Default
There model: furniture_group_8_seat.model
Default
textures: bluecouch.jpg
(sofa body)
blueend.jpg (stump
swirls)
redchair.jpg (cloth
for chairs)
woodgrain.jpg
(legs)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1600 800 400 NA
Max # polygons: 900 450 225 100
Max visible distance: 50.0 100.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 262144

gmax
model: Dance_Floor.gmax
3ds
max model: Dance_Floor.max
Default
There model: dance_floor.model
Default
textures: dancefloor_floor.jpg
(floor/bottom)
dancefloor_trim.jpg
(trim)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1600 800 400 NA
Max # polygons: 900 450 225 100
Max visible distance: 50.0 100.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 24576

gmax
model: Dance_Floor.gmax
3ds
max model: Dance_Floor.max
Default
There model: dance_floor.model
Default
textures: dancefloor_floor.jpg
(floor/bottom)
dancefloor_trim.jpg
(trim)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1600 800 400 NA
Max # polygons: 900 450 225 100
Max visible distance: 50.0 100.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 49152

gmax
model: Dance_Floor.gmax
3ds
max model: Dance_Floor.max
Default
There model: dance_floor.model
Default
textures: dancefloor_floor.jpg
(floor/bottom)
dancefloor_trim.jpg
(trim)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1600 800 400 NA
Max # polygons: 900 450 225 100
Max visible distance: 50.0 100.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 98152

gmax
model: Dance_Floor.gmax
3ds
max model: Dance_Floor.max
Default
There model: dance_floor.model
Default
textures: dancefloor_floor.jpg
(floor/bottom)
dancefloor_trim.jpg
(trim)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 1600 800 400 NA
Max # polygons: 900 450 225 100
Max visible distance: 50.0 100.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 262144

gmax model: Furniture_Knickknack.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Knickknack.max
Default There model: furniture_knickknack.model
Default textures: hulagirl.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 290 160 100 NA
Max # polygons: 210 108 54 8
Max visible distance: 25.0 50.0 100.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 1.5, 1.5, 1.5
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 49152
gmax model: Furniture_Knickknack.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Knickknack.max
Default There model: furniture_knickknack.model
Default textures: hulagirl.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 300 160 100 NA
Max # polygons: 250 125 65 15
Max visible distance: 25.0 50.0 100.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 5.0, 5.0, 5.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 196,608
gmax model: Furniture_Knickknack.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Knickknack.max
Default There model: furniture_knickknack.model
Default textures: hulagirl.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 160 90 45 NA
Max # polygons: 110 50 25 5
Max visible distance: 25.0 50.0 100.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 1.5, 1.5, 1.5
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 49152
gmax model: Furniture_Knickknack.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Knickknack.max
Default There model: furniture_knickknack.model
Default textures: hulagirl.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 290 160 100 NA
Max # polygons: 210 108 54 8
Max visible distance: 25.0 50.0 100.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 1.5, 1.5, 1.5
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 49152
gmax model: Furniture_Knickknack.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Knickknack.max
Default There model: furniture_knickknack.model
Default textures: hulagirl.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 300 160 100 NA
Max # polygons: 250 125 65 15
Max visible distance: 25.0 50.0 100.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 5.0, 5.0, 5.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 458,752

gmax model: Furniture_GreenLamp.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_GreenLamp.gmax
Default There model: furniture_greenlamp.model
Default textures: greenlamp.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 200 100 50 NA
Max # polygons: 100 50 25 20
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 3.0, 6.0, 3.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 128
Max total texture
size: 12288

gmax model: Furniture_Painting.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Painting.max
Default There model: furniture_painting.model
Default textures: picframe.jpg (frame)
tarzana.jpg (painting)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 220 110 50 NA
Max # polygons: 125 65 30 6
Max visible distance: 100.0 200.0 300.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 3.0, 4.0, 1.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 98304
gmax model: Furniture_Painting.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Painting.max
Default There model: furniture_painting.model
Default textures: picframe.jpg (frame)
tarzana.jpg (painting)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 220 110 50 NA
Max # polygons: 125 65 30 6
Max visible distance: 100.0 200.0 300.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 3.0, 4.0, 1.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 360,448

gmax model: Furniture_Screen.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Screen.max
Default There model: furniture_screen.model
Default textures: screen.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 250 135 70 NA
Max # polygons: 110 55 30 40
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 6.0, 6.0, 6.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 49,152
gmax model: Furniture_Screen.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_Screen.max
Default There model: furniture_screen.model
Default textures: screen.jpg
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 300 150 75 NA
Max # polygons: 175 90 45 50
Max visible distance: 50.0 75.0 350.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 10.0, 10.0, 10.0
Max # textures: 4
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture size: 196,608

gmax model: Furniture_GlassTable.gmax
3ds max model: Furniture_GlassTable.max
Default There model: furniture_glasstable.model
Default textures: redlegs.jpg (legs)
blueglass.jpg (top color)
glasschroma.jpg (top
transparency)
LOD0 LOD1 LOD2 Collision Mesh
Max # vertices: 200 100 50 NA
Max # polygons: 100 50 25 20
Max visible distance: 25.0 50.0 200.0 NA
Max width, height, depth: 8.0, 4.0, 8.0
Max # textures: 3
Max single texture dimensions: 512
Max total texture
size: 24576