[Unknown Target]

I've noticed that a couple people around here use Sketchup to model, but I have yet to see someone successfully import a SU model into Freespace 2, mostly due to Sketchup's horrific exporters butchering the model on export.

Well I have found this exporter (http://shaxam.com/files/lwo_export-0.0.6.zip) that allows almost flawless export of Sketchup models to .LWO format, where from there they can be touched up and exported properly to .POF.

What you will need:

Sketchup v5.0 or above
3D Exploration
Another program that allows welding of vertices and adjustment of smoothing groups (I use Milkshape 3D).
POFCS or 3DS Max with the exporter plugin (I used the latter, but I don't use Max cuz it's too hard ). Truespace works if you don't have Max.


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1) Install the plugin by coping the "lwo_export" file into your plugins directory. Launch Sketchup.

2) Check to see if the plugin installed properly. Go to Window-->Preferances-->Extensions, and check "Basic LWO Exporter". It will show up your "Tools" drop down menu.

3) Open the model you want to export. MAKE SURE TO DELETE ANY DETAIL LINES, i.e, if you drew a line on a surface to show detail, but it's not actually modeled - DELETE IT. When the model exports, these lines will be turned into vertexes, and if you made a closed object with them, they'll create faces and will waste a lot of polies.

4) Go to Tools-->LWO Exporter (if yours is weird like mine and showed two of them there, you can click either one, they both work). Export to your chosen directory.

5) Open the .LWO in 3D Exploration. It may show up as transparent - I don't know what's causing this, but when I import into MS3D it doesn't show up that way, so I guess it's not a problem. Go to Tools --> Invert Face Orientation, and click. Then go to Tools --> Join Equal Points.

6) Export to whatever format your modeling program prefers.

--- Here's where it gets tricky. I used Milkshape to do these steps, so I'll explain them using that program. If you want to use a different program, go ahead.

7) If you're using Milkshape, export to .3DS, and then open up Milkshape. Import the file (make sure auto-smooth is ON). Select all and go to Vertex-->Weld Together (shortcut Ctrl-W).

8) Inspect the model for smoothing errors. You'll probably get a few from the welding process, and you'll probably have a bit more from the actual import. Fix as necessary (what's useful is right clicking on the 3D view and selecting "Colored Smoothing Groups").

9) Fix errors as necessary and re-export to your chosen format. I used .3DS and that worked well, so I'd suggest that.

10) Import into either Truespace or Max, and do your thing (follow Kara's excellent ship creation guide).

11) Export and convert! (Or convert straight from Max if you have that).

[shiv]

SWEET! But... Downlaod link for lwo exporting tool is broken...

[Snail]

It's funny how number 8 on most people's lists turn into that guy with the shades. 8)

[Unknown Target]

Shiv, link fixed. Was a typo

[shiv]

Thank you. Starting works with sketchup now!

[Snail]

As for the shades:

Try the Goober effect:

Code: [Select]

8[i][/i])

[Unknown Target]

Thank you. Starting works with sketchup now!

Let me know if you get anything decent through I haven't put a decent model in, just horrifically ugly tests, lol.

[Unknown Target]

*Bump* So has anyone had any luck with this? I still have to learn how to UV map/texture before I can do it

[DaBrain]

Hmm you should write this tutorial into the wiki.

This thread won't be on the first page forever, but Sketchup artists might take a look into the wiki.

[Unknown Target]

Well I want to make sure it works first...I got it to work once, now I'm having troubles with smoothing groups.

EDIT: Found an altertantive route. Export from Sketchup as a .3DS, using the "Export Texture Maps" option, Favoring Preserving texture coordinates. Export to .3DS and import that into 3DS Max. Convert to an editable mesh and do a vertex weld, using the lowest possible number. Follow standard Max-->POF export guidelines.

I've so far had more success with this method than with the others, so try it and let me know how it works. Also, DB, how do I add a page to the Wiki? And where?

EDIT: Using the new technique I just detailed, I've had some success. Quoting from my post over on the Sketchup boards:

Well I have had some progress. I still have to go through 3DS Max, but I guess that's the price you pay for a lack of native exporters (which I'm hoping interest will pick up in, and we'll start seeing some more of them).
An in-game shot of the model (it's in Beyond the Red Line, but that's only because I don't have Freespace 2 installed ATM): EDIT: Below.

It has some smoothing errors but they are minimal. EDIT: Heh, applied the texture that I made using Sketchup and Photoshop (drew the panels onto a higher-poly version of the model, then exported 2D images, then combined them all into one) - and it works! Image:
If I knew how to work Max more I'd move them around and fix them up some more, but alas, I do not, so I shall have to learn that.
 If I knew how to work Max more I'd move them around and fix them up some more, but alas, I do not, so I shall have to learn that.

---

The good news is that yes, Sketchup can be used for games other than GTA, and it can be used to reliably make models for games. The bad news is that you have to have 3DS Max as well, and if you're proficient in that, in all honesty you'd probably be using that instead (simply because of it's greater non-modeling functionality, and it's more accepted format).