[rhettro]

Truespace and Blender are the only free 3d modeling programs that can import into freespace open that i know of.

There is also Softimage Mod Tool:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?id=13571257&siteID=123112

[Black Wolf]

So far, every model I have seen that was made in Truespace and imported into PCS2 has had issues with its smoothing (or Phong shading, or whatever TS calls it), which could only be fixed by converting them to dae, importing them into a good 3D modeller, and fixing it there. Not fixing them causes the model to look really really weird under lighting.

http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k618/Nash815/Proteus08.jpg
This is a screen shot taken in freespace open. Converted from truespace to pcs2 and then to fsopen.
I do not see any really weird lighting if you can will you point it out.

Owned, The_E.    I'm no fan of Truespace, but well done sir!

Ass for Pof data, you can literally learn everything you'll ever need to know from the wiki and looking at other models in PCS2 - I suggest relatively modern ones, like the MediaVP models though - they'll include more recent features, such as glowpoints.

[Nash]

Truespace 7.6 is better then truespace 6.6 they made some changes that make it less of a pain to work with. I use it for all modelling and smoothing so that must be what made the smoothing and lighting work right. Truespace 6.6 is built in to 7.6. 
truespace 7.6is what i use for modeling the only time i need to use 6.6 part of it is to save the model to .cob.

I started modeling in truespace 6.6 and it was a pain but when i use truespace 7.6 it is a lot better. 

Truespace is only 3 years out of date and all i will be useing it for is modelling and i have not seen many modelling tools it does not have that blender does.
It is not to old if someone can still use it for something.

As i see it freespace and truespace are about the same age as far as the level of tech in them so i will use truespace until it is left in the dust by advancements to freespace open. I will try to learn blender now so at that point i will still be able make models for freespace open.
I just like truespace better then blender i do not think that will change but we'll see.

Looks good to me. If you're really comfortable with TS then stick with it. I personally find TS very difficult to work with and recommend Blender to model makers just starting out. One of the biggest hurdles for someone like myself, who has worked on a wide range of 3d modeling programs was Blender's default setting to select items with the right mouse click. I change it to left click through the user preferences as shown below.

The other big thing is using TAB to move to Edit mode. Once you understand those two things, modeling in Blender 2.6 is a lot like 3DSMAX. Freespacefreak's Blender tutorial is very good as well.

Thank you for the tips maybe i can find a way to use blender after all.
It is mostly the way it rotates that is stopping me from using it so if i can change it so it rotates more like truespace i may be able to use blender for modelling. But then i would need to learn a whole new interface so i don't know if i will.

Now can we gen back on the topic of my model before this becomes a battle of what modelling program is best.
Does anyone Know how to get a model from truespace to blender with the uv map intact i can't get it to open in blender any help would be nice. i would  like to do a few things in blender like baking ambient occlusion for the texture bet i can't get the model to import in to blender.

Truespace and Blender are the only free 3d modeling programs that can import into freespace open that i know of.

There is also Softimage Mod Tool:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?id=13571257&siteID=123112

Thanks i will try it. Is there a way to export to pcs2 or do i need to go with a program to convert?

Thank you all for helping me.
When i get done with this model what would be a good thing to model next. I need a lot of practice so i can make big capships and installations i was thinking i would make a Shivan ship next but i would like your input.

[rhettro]

I've only just started looking at Soft Image, but it exports ".dae" Collada files. I don't know if you can import them directly, but worst case, exporting DAE to Blender would still work.

[Nash]

Are there any tips or tricks for texturing that will help me?
How do i make my ship look Terran?
Also how do i make shine maps?
Any help on texturing in general?
It is takeing forever to texture it and i need advice.

[Nash]

Here is the latest screenshot from fsopen.

[BlasterNT]

Can I ask how you are texturing?  As in, what programs you are using? 

[Nash]

Can I ask how you are texturing?  As in, what programs you are using? 

I am using gimp 2.0.

[bigchunk1]

You're already ahead of me. 
looking good so far.

[SypheDMar]

Nicely done! It's unfortunate that the Target Indicator does the ship no justice.

[Nash]

I need to redo the uv map. The mirror tool broke the normal map. I just made a normal map and tested in freespace there was a line going down the middle of the model. The uv map needs some work anyway. It was my first try at uving anything this complex so there  are a few flaws in the uv map.   

[BlasterNT]

Don't know if you know this already, but if you want to preserve the textures after you reuv it, you should be able to use blender or certain other 3d programs to "bake" and transfer the old layout to the new one. 

[Nash]

Don't know if you know this already, but if you want to preserve the textures after you reuv it, you should be able to use blender or certain other 3d programs to "bake" and transfer the old layout to the new one.

I have not done a lot on the texture so it will not be necessary.
I still can't get the model into blender and i don't think truespace has that capability anyway.