3D modeling
 

I know this was probably already covered a few hundred times, but what programs are out there that would be good to create 3D modeled shipsets and where can I get them?

Re: 3D modeling
 

Free: POVray, Truespace (is this free?)

Not free: 3d Studio Max (3d Max 4 just released, I think), Lightwave 6, maybe Rhino and Bryce

REALLY not free: Maya 3.01, SoftImage


I really don't much about the free stuff, as I don't use them. Now that you know what's out there, a search through Yahoo's directories should yield some more useful information.

Re: 3D modeling
 

TrueSpace 5 by Caligari is a commercial product.

I had never heard of POVray. Thanks for the tip. A free 3D renderer is an amazing thing when consider that at $795, TrueSpace is likely the least expensive of the programs mentioned.

Re: 3D modeling
 

You can get Moray, which works as a frontend for POV-Ray. Its shareware so you can download it and try it out and see how you like it. It's not very expensive compared to a lot of the others out there. I've been learning how to use it and I like it pretty well. I haven't tried any of the others so I have nothing to compare that to though. Quite a few of the current shipset designers use Moray.

There is going to be a freeware Version of 3D StudioMax 4 released by the company soon. it will be called GMax and is intended for game mod makers (like us). May they release it soon.

Re: 3D modeling
 

What ColdSteel said (he beat me too it, can't post from work).

The url for Moray is : http://www.stmuc.com/moray/

I just bought it for about DM 150 or $85 US or somefink like that http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Lastime I priced Lightwave it ran about $1200-1500 US, soooooo http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

I haven't figgered it out yet but when I do, my Brachyura will have their own custom shipset.

[This message has been edited by pathfinder (edited 02 February 2001).]

Re: 3D modeling
 

You forgot something with the Moray: www.stmuc.com/moray
For Moray 3.3 (rocks so much, it has OpenGL preview now)
and you need POV-Ray to use Moray www.povray.org

Re: 3D modeling
 

3dStudio MaX R4 is $4999US

It would say it's in the REALLY not free catagory. And even as fancy and as powerful as it is. I'm still making my Shipset in Moray/Pov-Ray. The textures are better and I can't find a way to bring in what I've already done

------------------
Lord Darwin,
Space Empires Fan since
Space Empires 2 in 1995

Re: 3D modeling
 

All the shipsets that I've created on Universal Shipyards been rendered using Moray/Pov-ray.

With the exception of a few ships which had Rhino 3D complex shapes exported to Moray format. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

I think you'll find that both are these are fully working share ware programs.
www.rhino3d.com

On a completely different matter, it seems that 95% of all fully working share ware programs available on the internet also have about, on average, 5 cracks, or sreial hacks, or code generators for them.

What is this world coming to! When will the programmer ever be protected!

[cough] My Larengistis is improving, I think. . .

Re: 3D modeling
 

While were on the topic of 3D modelling, I've got a question about the Rhino demo. I've tried it, and decided that I wanted to make my little dots first. And I do alot of moving and making of single dots and, very proud of myself, I decid to put the imagenary lines in my head between the dots. And I spent 30 minutes just trying to find it. I didn't. Anyone using Rhino that can help???

Re: 3D modeling
 

I tihnk you'll find you need to use the draw line tool. . . draw using that first, then press F10 to switch point editing on. (F11 to switch off).

Also, to get anything to look like rendering you need to put a surface on them. Try the 'planar surface from edge curves' command. I think.

I've not Rhino on this computer, since its at school.

Hope thats some herlp, e-mail me if you need more. [email protected]

Re: 3D modeling
 

Thx, try that in sec

BTW: I've already got you're mail ad

Re: 3D modeling
 

hmmmm, I just found a freeware 3-D modeler program called 3-D Canvas, it at least is easy to use. I am going to see if I can make some simple ships this week-end (after I learn how to use it!)

available at: www.amabilis.com

Re: 3D modeling
 

3d canvas also avail via zdnet, plus some other shareware and freeware prog's in their download area .. http://www.zdnet.com/swlib/
all sorts of odds and ends there, harvard 3d shareware and others for those interested in try it fist approach.

jsnider

Re: 3D modeling
 

Hi everyone! I'm new here (DuH!) and have a couple of questions (DuH!!) http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

I've got the demo for SE4 and I like it alot. I am interested in looking into the 3D modeling aspect of the game so I've got Moray and POV-ray.

What I want to know is:

1) Do the models have to be a certain size, or does the game work off the completed image (TIFF, bmp, jpg, etc.)?

2) Is there a model viewer out there, ala Q3A or Unreal Tournement? Are Moray .mdl files the same as Quake model files?

Thanks in advance!!!

AtP

Re: 3D modeling
 

1) Do the models have to be a certain size, or does the game work off the completed image (TIFF, bmp, jpg, etc.)?

A-They have to be a certain size....I forget the number pixels but 4 kb for a "mini" and 49 kb for a "portrait" IIRC.

2) Is there a model viewer out there, ala Q3A or Unreal Tournement? Are Moray .mdl files the same as Quake model files?

A-Beats the heck outta me, I'm just starting this 3-D modeling stuff myself.

Re: 3D modeling
 

The game work with completed .bmp files, You'll need to use the render function to save them as .bmp and then size and rename them for the game. You can find the information for sizes and names in your manual.

Morays models only open in moray, They are different than quake .mdl

------------------
Lord Darwin,
Space Empires Fan since
Space Empires 2 in 1995