[NeoHunter]

I have a few questions regarding creating models for FreeSpace 2 that need answering. Now, I don't want answers like "Yes" or "No" I want explainations too if required.

1.) Can models made in 3D Studio Max be used in FreeSpace 2? If so, how?

2.) Can UVW Mapping be used on my model?

3.) How do I define how big the engine glow is on a fighter?

4.) Do capital ships need engine glows to be defined or does FreeSpace 2 do that for me?

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...and one day, Man will journey farther and faster into Space. - My thoughts

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[morris13]

I can only answer the first question, but the answer is yes. You still have to have either truespace or 3D Eploration to open the max file and save it as a cob file. Texturing might be the sticky wicket, you might have to retexture the model, i'm not sure about that.

[Nico]

You can do the UVW map under max, then you export it as a 3ds file. TS can use them. You'll have to apply the rtextures again, but the UVW map will be keptThe engine glow is defined under FSMM2 by its radius (yep, believe me   ) There's a tutorial from Bobboau somewhere for FSMM2 I think. And you still have to define engine glows by yourself in FSMM2, even for capships
-but engine glows are theeasier thing to put on a model, I think, so you don't really need to worry  

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venom2506
Member of the Robotech mod for FS2

and of Hidden Terror, the Shivan campaign

and My own page

[Warlock]

1.) Can models made in 3D Studio Max be used in FreeSpace 2? If so, how?
Yes, TS will access 3ds files.

2.) Can UVW Mapping be used on my model?
Not sure on this one, but I think so, as long as it looks correct in TS save it as a cob and go for it.

3.) How do I define how big the engine glow is on a fighter?
radius, try different sizes to see how each looks on the model.

4.) Do capital ships need engine glows to be defined or does FreeSpace 2 do that for me?
You have to,..FS2 defines,...squat for you  



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[Setekh]

 

Originally posted by NeoHunter:
I have a few questions regarding creating models for FreeSpace 2 that need answering.

• I have a few questions regarding creating models for FS2 that I would like answered.
  
   

  Originally posted by NeoHunter:
  Now, I don't want answers like "Yes" or "No", I want explainations too if required.

  
  
• I'd like to not have answers like "Yes" or "No", I'd like explanations too if you can.
  
  Politeness is A-1!  
  
  

[NeoHunter]

Thanks a lot, Setekh. I'll remember the politeness part next time.

More questions incoming!

5.) Are the turrets seperate sub-objects from the ship?

6.) If not, how do you tell FreeSpace 2 that these are rotatable?



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...and one day, Man will journey farther and faster into Space. - My thoughts

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[morris13]

They are separate objects from the ship. You can find a great thread with all kinds of turret making info here: http://vbb.volition-inc.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000372.html

[NeoHunter]

Thanks, Morris.

6.) Must the main part of the ship be one single object? When I ask this, I meant the ship without the turrets.

------------------
...and one day, Man will journey farther and faster into Space. - My thoughts

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[morris13]

It doesn't HAVE to be, but its generally a good idea if it is.

[Nico]

Depends what you mean, in fact. If you mean a single object with multiple different parts, you can without any pb (for exemple the object Hull is composed of 4 different "elements"). If you use multiple objects (hull1, hull2 and hull3) for the main object, well, ask Bobboau, he will say: make it out of one subobject (that means: naaaaah!!!! no way!).

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venom2506
Member of the Robotech mod for FS2

and of Hidden Terror, the Shivan campaign

and My own page

[NeoHunter]

So, what you're saying is that I could have a capital ship which is made of maybe a sphere, a rectangle and maybe a triangle?

Because trying to make ship out of one object is very difficult for me.

------------------
...and one day, Man will journey farther and faster into Space. - My thoughts

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[Shrike]

Yes, but with the caveat that your model will be much more stable/better/etc if you make it out of one subject.

[Sushi]

But why? Does FS2 care, or just the conversion software?

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Sushi- the OTHER white meat!

Accelerate your game-Velocity Mod
Sushi's Freespace Zone-Future home of loads of cool stuff.

[Shrike]

probably both..... but mainly because the polys/etc connect up better.

[Sushi]

FS2 doesn't have a problem with something that is made up of unconnected objects. Why should it care if the objects are a microscopic distance apart?

All I can think of is that modifying the mesh might be easier.



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Sushi- the OTHER white meat!

Accelerate your game-Velocity Mod
Sushi's Freespace Zone-Future home of loads of cool stuff.

[Shrike]

Remember Bobboau's call?  Make it out of one sub-object?

[Jabu]

I think FS2 is just *****y about intersecting faces, which frequently happen if you make ships out of multiple subobjects.

[Sushi]

I'll buy that...but if they don't intersect and float .000001 units apart, why does it matter? WHY must we make it out of one subobject?

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Sushi- the OTHER white meat!

Accelerate your game-Velocity Mod
Sushi's Freespace Zone-Future home of loads of cool stuff.

[Jabu]

Because it's so INCREDIBLY easy to make it intersect on accident. It's usually easier to make it out of one subobject.

[NeoHunter]

Wow. Looks like everybody supports Dark's theory or whatever that's called....

What about making a ship out of several objects then merging them into one complete object?

Also, how do we tell FreeSpace 2 what the debris of the capital ship should be?

------------------
...and one day, Man will journey farther and faster into Space. - My thoughts

GTD Excellence Webmaster
NeoHunter<                       [b][email protected][/b]                                     >
Not to mention a FREDder!