RW shaders and multi/sub objects

[Roadmaster259]

I have read the dev document on shaders (pdf 4.02) yet I find it very general in nature. There must be close to one hundred choices in the list of available shaders in the RW plugin for 3ds Max. I would like to learn what each of the shader choices are and when they are used.

For simple objects I am using "TrainBasicObjectDiffuse.fx" and it works in most cases. But what about the many others? How can I learn what to use where? As a pertinent and current example, I obtained a royalty-free 3D object to work with. It came with multi/sub objects of which, I have have no idea how to apply RW Material. Which shader should I use? What exactly is a multi/sub object? Some of them call for textures that I have but I don't know how to apply them as RW Material.

If you can, please answer the following questions:

1. What is a multi/sub object and how can I apply RW Material in the same way as Standard Material to the sub-levels?

2. Is there a document explaining what each of the RW shaders do and when they are most appropriately used?

Any guidance you could furnish in this area would be very graciously received. Thank-you.

[dick8299]

Derek Siddle's Blog might help you get started:

http://the-art-of-rws.blogspot.com/