[Wildfire]

Like the title says, anyone know links to some good 3d Max studios tutorials for making animations?  Also where I could find the tools to let me import FS2 models into 3D max.

I'm getting better at making images and I want to start making some smaller command briefing animations for my campaign.

[Darkage]

Here are some links that can be useful in your search for TUT's

3Dcafe

Digitalife

hope this helps abit.

[Wildfire]

Cheers

Does anyone know where I can get some tools to convert FS2 models for 3D max?

[Ryx]

This thread should provide some insight into the conversion side of things.

The easiest animation is to have the ship(s) move from a to b in a straight line. Position the ship(s) at point a
and turn on animate and move the frame slider to the desired frame. Then drag the ship(s) to point b and turn off animate.
You should now have a simple animation.

Edit: thanks Venom

[Wildfire]

That's what I want for now.  As I get the hang of it I'll move on to bigger and better things.  Either that or my head will implode

[Nico]

Originally posted by Ryx
This thread should provide some insight into the conversion side of things.

The easiest animation is to have the ship(s) move from a to b in a straight line. Position the ship(s) at point a
and turn on animate. Then drag the ship(s) to point b and turn off animate.
You should now have a simple animation.

won't move if you didn't move the time cursor

[Styxx]

max3d.3dluvr.com has a few good ones too...

[Stunaep]

www.3dspline.com would also be a good place to start.

It has got a seperate animation section.

[Wildfire]

Ok, I've started going over the tutorials but does anyone know the name of the program to convert the models.  

I tried looking around the alliance.sourceforge.net site but I don't really know the name of the program I'm looking for.  Anyone help?

[Stunaep]

use PCS to convert POF to Cob, then 3dexploration to get COB to 3ds.

[Wildfire]

Where can I find the files.  I've tried searching for it but the search doesn't accept PCS 'cos it's too short and I could find anything on 3dExploration.

[Ryx]

PCS

Descent Networks tools

...or check HLP downloads

Might want to check out VW's files too

3D Exploration

So what did I forget...

[Stryke 9]

While we're on a topic remotely similar to one I'm curious about- any way to fill polygons you make with the line tool, so that you can extrude them cleanly, etc.?

[an0n]

Buy the MAX 3 Visual Quickstart book. No crapp long explanations, you just check the contents for what you want to do, go to the page and it'll tell you which buttons to press to do what.

[Ryx]

Originally posted by Stryke 9
While we're on a topic remotely similar to one I'm curious about- any way to fill polygons you make with the line tool, so that you can extrude them cleanly, etc.?

Draw your shape and make sure you end the shape where it started. MAX will ask if you want to close the spline, click yes. Add an extrude modifier. When you're satisfied with your extrusion, right click the extrude modifier and choose collapse to.. (or add an edit mesh modifier) and click yes. You know have an Editable Mesh, either way.
 
What did I miss this time? ( :doh: )

[Vertigo1]

Or you can use Deep Exploration, which is far superior to 3D Exploration.

http://righthemisphere.com/products/dexp/index.htm

Deep Exploration actually exports to 3ds and does a perfect job as well.  All you have to do is re-texture the model.

[Nico]

Originally posted by MD-2389
All you have to do is re-texture the model.

and you call that a perfect job?

[Vertigo1]

Originally posted by venom2506


and you call that a perfect job?

Its not that hard.  All you do is point it to the texture files and bam!  Conversion complete.  It keeps the mapping coordinates.  I have YET to get a decent conversion through 3D Exploration w/o having to fix mesh errors and sometimes they're a real ***** to fix.  THEN I have to re-do the mapping coordinates and hope it looks decent.


btw, when I said 'perfect job' I was referring to the lack of mesh errors.  I converted Reaperman's GTD Orion and GTCv Deimos conversions to 3ds.  All I had to do was point to the new maps and I was DONE.  No increase in polygon counts and no mesh errors.  If that ain't a perfect job, I don't know what is.  All this from a shareware proggy.