[Titan]

Ok, im a 11 year old. The destiny of what i do on the computer is controlled by my dad. But i dont know if its worth even trying to mod. Here's a list of my questions:

1. exactly what programs do i need? i was gonna get truespace 3.2, modelview32 (normal, i heard there's some other version out there), and WinCOB2FS. do i need anything else?

2. Is everything made for Freespace2_OPEN? if so i (and all my freespace related stuff) is totally screwd and there's no point in living, and that means that nothing will stop me from commiting suicide.... (not really.... but my dad doesn't even know i gotta download 3 programs right now.... he has been outta town, got back last night....  )

uhhhh thats it.... also im not sure if i can texture anything so if anyone can help me with texturing it if i ever get the stuff i need... and a privlige to be able to surf the web. 

[Kieve]

1. I would recommend PCS, now that I know how to work it. I find it a bit more functional than Modelview. And the Descent Manager VPVIEW is a must-have, IMO. Other than that, it sounds like you're set.

2. Not everything, I don't think. You'd have to look around a bit though. Having OPEN m'self, I couldn't say for certain.

As for texturing... Scoob just had an exellent tutorial pinned at the top of this forum. Check it out.

[Trivial Psychic]

1. I would recommend PCS, now that I know how to work it. I find it a bit more functional than Modelview.

PCS

Path controls
Dockpoint controls
Glowpoint controls
Engine glow controls (but no display)
decal controls
eyepoint controls (but no display)
Less memory hog than MODview
Mostly crash-free

MODview

More user-friendly
Allows multi-normals for non-turret firepoints
Displays and allows edit (but not creation) of engine glows
Displays eyepoint (but no edit)
Edit MOI data
Edit shield dimensions (basic)
Prone to catastrophic crash failures that can completely gut a model, and that sometimes requires manual shut-down from Windows control panel

What it comes down to, is that you'll want PCS most of the time, but there are a few things that PCS can't do that MODview can, so its good to have both.

[Titan]

ok.... is there anywere i can download PCS for free... my dad sorta wants this to be a free project and all the stuff i'm getting right now is free.....

also, i already read that tutorial and it seems freakin' hard!!!

[ToecrusherHammerjaw]

PCS I think has always been free.  Kazan made it.  I would also appreciate know where I can download it, I can't find it anymore.

[Titan]

ah well.... at least i probably got a week...

also, what are polys???? (sorry about clueless-ness.... and grammar)

Edit: I really just wanna get to the point that i can make my first real fighter (unnoficial name:GTF Eagle) its gonna be a modern version of the Valkyrie fighter/interceptor from Freespace 1. thing is i only got those couple of screens from freespace 1's website for reference....

Edit2: Right now im using a herc in my test missions..... thats gonna be replaced by the Eagle.... i'm thinking of making it a space superiority/ heavy assault

[Unknown Target]

In a video game, 3D models are made up of polygons (polies). Each poly is a triangle, and together they make up the entire model.
PCS is an alright program, you need it for a few things, but for a beginner like you I'd really suggest working with Modelview32 for awhile. It's much easier to use, and I doubt you'll be doing any high poly models for awhile (which is what PCS is better for).

That being said, I wish I could give you a link to PCS - unfortunately, I don't know where it is. You will however need the Freespace 2 Kit package, which you can get from http://www.descent-network.com/cgi-bin/descman.cgi?module=vpview. It comes with several very useful utilities, and it allows you to open the Freespace 2 VP files - where all Freespace 2 game data is kept.

[Titan]

thing is, im cutting it very thin as it is....  (thinner than paper)

Edit: at least my "campaign" i'm making is doing good, finally figured out mostly how the first mission's gonna work out: Big shivan incursion a week before campaign starts, i haven't chose which system so send ideas! The last line of defence in that system has been established at a jump node to another allied system. The defence consist of: A MODIFIED deimos class corvette. thats it, save the two wings of fighters you lead in. the shivans are trying to dogpile two liliths, a rakshasa and a bunch of fighters onto the deimos, the GTCv Serene. about a minute into the mission a vasudan cruiser (aten class) will jump in and try and help. It is supposed to either get in the Serene's way, or draw the shivans fire for a minute beacause it warps in right inbetween the serene and the cruisers. The Serene's captain yells at the vasudans to bug out VIA either the jump node or just plain warp out. At best the blast from the cruiser blowing up wont hurt the Serene. I'm kinda stuck on what should happen for the next two minutes, but once shivan forces are destroyed at the end you and the Serene will get a bit of respite. then it ends with a Argo and a Orion jumping in to hold down the fort, with the Argo going in to repair the Serene.

Any feedback on that would be good, also do you think i should add a small convoy of fleeing ships in? Right now its kinda easy because the Serene's Vasudan slash beam cannons rip throught the shivan cruisers while its turrets (armed with both standard and long range flak, morning stars and Prometheus S's) tear apart the fighters. the only things i got done is put in the ships up to the part were the Aten gets destroyed. only event is the beam free stuff.

Edit: oh, i almost forgot, at the start of the mission you're right underneath the Rakshasa, and it's AAA rips apart a couple of your wingman before they get it together.... I'm kinda gonna leave out the Rakshasa from the briefing, so you really are clueless the first time you play and WHAM....      its cool yet depressing to watch 3 of your wingmen get blow apart as then race past you to join the battle.....

[Unknown Target]

Well if you want to mod, you'll need the necessary tools

[Titan]

read that long edit to my last post.... 

[Wanderer]

This seems to be rather older PCS version...

https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=26889&package_id=53033

[Titan]

ok, thanks... i'll add that to my list of stuff for freespace modding

read my really long post a little farther up, i need help with it

[Dark Hunter]

Have you read Karajorma's FAQ? It has lots of links to different moding tools, and even some (very) basic tutorials... or at least it used to, I couldn't find them last time I looked...

[Titan]

i go there all the time, great site..... also the links

[Vengence]

Goog god you must be the youngest modder I know that ever existed! I recommend that you trash the ambitious modeling ideas until you get the hang of Truespace. It took me 3 years to get as good as modeling as I am right now and I use 3ds Max and word has it that it is far easier than truespace (thing is 3ds Max is $3000 commercial license and $300-$600 on an educational license while truespace is free). Lastly, your already a better map maker than me so take pride in that   !

[Titan]

what's a map... seriously....

P.S. i'm also making a campaign, go to the FRED section and look for 'Help a kid with a mission'

What you dont know is that my dad has a job as a programmer.... but not with games.... and he never really participates in my game related stuff.... no time...

edit: ummmmm also, i was planning on making a couple a small little... uhhhhh.... things......... then maybe a low detail fighter.... then the Eagle

Edit2: i'm sitting here sucking my thumb! mom & dad just told me its time to start getting rid of my old stuff.... by its time i mean this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[Unknown Target]

I believe that when Vengence says "map" he's referring to missions. Vengence: In FS2, "maps" are generally referred to as "missions", and textures are generally referred to as "maps".

And anyway, Titan; I really suggest that you use Milkshape 3D to make your models. It's much easier to learn that Truespace, and for a full liscence it's only $20.

[Titan]

thing is, i gotta keep this a free project or it's a no-go..... but ya, i am ok at doing missions.... just not very good with certain kinds of SEXPs.....

starting to get a strong idea from looking at tutorials 'n' stuff that i should wait until i'm 25 with a master's degree in computers before i should try this..... heck with that! im doing this! (nothing better to do with my life.... seriously....  )

[Unknown Target]

Milkshape 3D is free for 30 days, then you can "attain" it. That or Sketchup, which is $700 but is also "attainable". And do NOT ask how to "attain" these programs here, it's an infrignement of forum rules. You'll have to search for it online.

But otherwise, modding is pretty much 99% free. The only time you'd pay money is when you pay for professional applications, and there are always free alternatives floating about on the internet.

[bizzybody]

Free programs like Blender for 3D modeling and Paint.NET for graphics. One thing with Paint.NET is it seems to be incapable of opening more than one image at a time.

Perhaps it can by running one instance per image? I dunno, haven't really done much with it other than installing it and not finding a way to load more than one image at a time.