Vertex Color

What is the best way, if any, to render out some geometry showing the vertex paint B/W? I would like to create a mask to use with multiscatter.

texture baking?

I tired that, but I wasn’t getting good results. If that is the best way I’ll dig in deeper.

doesnt the new multiscatter come with its own paint tool?

it has a painter, but I am not sure I can paint the mask… I’ll look into it.

Cant you just use the new painting tools in max 2011 ?

As long as Multi-scatter can handle Vertex Colour maps then simply paint your B&W mask using the VERTEX PAINT modyfier as it has painting tools within it, then choose Vertex Colour in the mask slot.
This should work fine as long as multi-scatter can handle VC maps properly

Cheers

Try the viewport canvas tools? I only started using them in 2010 - they’re basic (and much improved in 2011) but absolutely perfect for doing things like painting accurate masks or even painting a positioning shape that you can then work on in photoshop.