[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Anaz
I like max b/c it doesn't explode as/right before you save, or anywhere else (yet..)

stupid max question...is there any way to create a line between two points just by selecting those points, and then pressing something?

Select 'edge', select 'create', click twice where each end goes - I think (don't have Max handy to check).

[NGTM-1R]

You know, it frightens me to discover Cinema4D is apparently simpler to use then Max...

[Mav]

Which features does tS lack? I didn't work with other 3D-progs so far, so I'd like to know what I'm missing (this spline modeling sounds as if it's one of those... And though I find the tS interface quite good, I'm pretty sure there are many things it could need [mostly what I'd consider bugfixes; but tools surely as well]; and editing free-hand is virtually impossible , I mostly work by adjusting the point coordinates - takes up loads of time ) .

[Deepblue]

How about good rendering tools?

[StratComm]

Anaz, actually both Raa and aldo are correct about how you'd do it.  That's the thing about Max; there's almost always 2-3 ways of doing something, if you look hard enough for it.

EDIT:

Originally posted by Liberator
It's probably in some esoteric menu somewhere...


In blender you select the two points and press F

I want to learn MAX, I really do.  But when you blokes tell me it's so simple and easy and I sit down and get frustrated because it's a *****, I get pissed off.

If you keep telling us how great blender is you're not going to get much sympathy for your difficulties in learning Max, as you're showing an attachment to the way you're used to doing things instead of a willingness to learn a new way.

Anyway, 'F' seems really arbitrary for that function, whereas in Max the button is literally RIGHT BELOW the vertex select button.  So it's not like it's hiding from you.

[KARMA]

truespace's rendering isn't bad, and anyway, who cares about rendering in a modding forum?
TS doesn't have texture baking (well there is in ts6 but it is of no use); it is missing a tool to weld automatically double verts; to connect two faces with the same number of verts (there are some plugins for older versions for that); a region/faces taper/skewer; a non proportional scaling tool; I'd like a tool to select groups of faces with the same material; the possibility to save selections properly (it is present but I never managed to have it working); a copy/paste function for properties; the possibility to move a vert/edge inside a line/face (this is hard to explain... try to create a new vert on a diagonal line and imagine that you want to move it at a certain z quote but without creating an angle....  btw there were plugin for that but it was for some older versions); a face flattener...
these are the first things that come at my mind.

[Omniscaper]

You dudes!!! Ramamber the Galactica? You know, the one I'm modeling? Needed feedback, suggestions, alternative approaches. How the heck did this turn into a preferencial posturing for best 3d programs?

ps: 3dsmax is the greatest

[Deepblue]

You could probably use Democles X's Galactica once he gets around to uploading it...

[Liberator]

Originally posted by StratComm
Anyway, 'F' seems really arbitrary for that function, whereas in Max the button is literally RIGHT BELOW the vertex select button.  So it's not like it's hiding from you.

F == face, technically that's what it's for, creating faces in 3 or more points.

And you're right, I have a hard time divorcing myself from things, which is yet another of my failings.

[Omniscaper]

StratComm, Liberator,

Cut it out.

DamoclesX, finished his Galactica already!? Well, if he does release an excellent model, and he gives permission for our mod to use it, this will take huge load off my shoulders.

If not, I still need flexand excercise my modelling muscles.

[StratComm]

On the note of this thread's intention, I must say that you've got the shape down pretty well.  It's going to be considerably more difficult to model those ribs if you're going to do it with extrusion, but you should be more than able to get it with a bit of patience.

[Liberator]

I apologize, I'm just being my usual jerk self.

[Omniscaper]

I started meshifying the splines with 3 subdivisions. This will be LOD-2:






These are not the final textures, just wanted to get ahead of myself to see what it will look like.

Polygon count:

6816 polys

[neo_hermes]

Holy Crap! dude that's one Amazing looking Galactica. i wonder what it'll look like with the proper Textures.

[Liberator]

Once again, I have been shown how inadequate I am....

[KARMA]

I think it's definitively too much for a lod2, and you are far from a lod0. IMHO you are spending too polys on the body, but I guess you still have to optimize.

[Omniscaper]

Thats what I love about  Karma, always keeping me on my toes.

 Yes, it still needs to be optimized. Too many polys linger around flat planes. I changed my mind, this model will be used as LOD 1 out of a 3 detail level model because this model's dimensions are huge. Larger than FSO's Colossus. Getting distance from this ship will require either long cruising time, or faster engines (unlikely to change). I prefer to use LODS where the transition is not so obvious. I hate models that pop into higher detail noticeably. I believe this model is good to use at a distance of 10km.  

By the time this lod is finished it will probably have around 8k polys (with turrets). Lod-2 I will aim for 10k polys (without the turret models)


Lod-0 will be the UBER model with 18k at LEAST. The detail will NOT go into the structure (which the foundations have already been laid out by this mesh), but will go into the ribs and flight pod detail (including BSG's lower hangar deck which would lead to her trianglular launch tubes, yes call me crazy)


BTW karma, Homeone is gonna be re-modelled using my re-flexed spline skills, once I finish birthing my new baby. I found much easier to produce higher polygon models via low polygon modelling with this spline method. N

[KARMA]

mmm I expressed it bad, I meant that it's too much for a lod2 with THAT wireframe, but if you are going to optimize then the things change a bit. (but 10k for a lod 2 remain a bit excessive)

I didn't know that the galactica was that big, and since I've never seen the new show, my only reference is the old one so I can't say good or bad as a piece of artwork, I can only judge the mesh.
Anyway, from the few that I've seen I prefer, as a design, the old galactica:p

[Omniscaper]

Though raised on Starwars design, I'll choose ribs over greebles anyday.

[Setekh]

Originally posted by Omniscaper
I started meshifying the splines with 3 subdivisions. This will be LOD-2:

[snip]

These are not the final textures, just wanted to get ahead of myself to see what it will look like.

Polygon count:

6816 polys

Not so long ago, this would have been LOD0.