[WildWeazel]

Hi everyone, first post here, and sorry if this is the wrong forum.

I'm working on Freespace scenario(s) for Civilization 3. I recently came across modding tools online, and discovered that FS2 is now open source. But I have a question about what I allowed to do with the game material. I would like use some artwork from the games, especially the models. I want to convert them to Civ3 unit animations. Is this allowed? Can I only use FS2 material, or none at all?
Also, can anything other than 3DSMax open the POF files?  I have a model viewer, but I would like to be able to render images directly rather than C&Ping them.

[aldo_14]

Hi everyone, first post here, and sorry if this is the wrong forum.

I'm working on Freespace scenario(s) for Civilization 3. I recently came across modding tools online, and discovered that FS2 is now open source. But I have a question about what I allowed to do with the game material. I would like use some artwork from the games, especially the models. I want to convert them to Civ3 unit animations. Is this allowed? Can I only use FS2 material, or none at all?

I'm not sure, actually.  The game engine only, not art, is open sourced, so theoretically there is still no open right to use the game art etc in other projects.  However, the chances of any form of action being taken against you for doing so are minute, as the developers have long since moved on and the publishers are nearly bankrupt; so long as you're not making money from it, I doubt they would notice or care about you using them.  So you should be more than safe; after all, the FS2 ships have been used in a Homeworld 2 mod with no complaints whatsoever.

Also, can anything other than 3DSMax open the POF files?  I have a model viewer, but I would like to be able to render images directly rather than C&Ping them.

Pof files have to be converted to some other file format; AFAIK the only 'supported' format (you need to convert from pof to a loadable file type, usually using Kazans' PCS programme) is Caligari objects (COB), which are used in the excretable Truespace (mostly ending up in other formats via 3d exploration conversion).

[Flipside]

Welcome aboard, I"ll spare you the speech, though, I'm sure someone else won't

Have fun

[redsniper]

Well I haven't given it in a while...
Welcome to HLP! Exits are to the sides and rear. Under your seat between Shrike's dungeon porn mags and some Bosch Beer cans you'll find a flamethrower. Unfortunately we're out of napalm so you'll have to bludgeon people to death with it. Should you find yourself crawling through the air vents and you encounter a shivan don't worry, it's only Carl. Just give him your lunch, back away slowly, and hope he's not very hungry. In the event of a water landing you can and will be used as a floatation device. In case of serious conflict, plasma rifles are kept in the lockers up front, however they may only be opened by an Admin, [V] God, or hyperintelligent shade of blue. Don't try to enter the control room as it is guarded by subspatial claymore mines. A map of HLP can be found here. Thank you and enjoy your stay.

[WildWeazel]

Thanks for the info and the welcome.
I have another question. The FS wiki mentions that older versions of Truespace can be downloaded for free from Caligari, but I can't find anything about older versions on their site. Are free versions still available? If so, where can I find one?

[Col. Fishguts]

This should still work: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,13593.0.html

[WildWeazel]

Great, thanks!

[WildWeazel]

Is there a guide for converting models to COB? Truespace isn't using the textures. The model is solid-color. And why does Truespace look for BMPs when the textures are saved as PCXs (and not use them even if I convert them to BMP)?

[aldo_14]

I think cob only supports DOS 8-character filenames (so does 3ds, natch), so you may find that where it should reference the likes of capital01t-01 it references capit~01 or similar.  Um... also, I don't think cob supports PCX, not sure, but by default pofs only use PCX files; I'm not sure of the pof->cob convertor also changes the references to bmp files when converting back; certainly the cob->pof convertors had the cob using bmp files without problems.  (actually, I have a feeling the extension isn't stored in the pof file, just the filename, as FS2 knows what extensions it can and can't look for)