[Master_of_the_blade]

I have looked around but didn't find the answer. How do i add a skybox generated in Starscape into fso?

[Dragon]

http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=73770.0
There's a thread on this very board.

[Master_of_the_blade]

Ive read it but it doesnt tell you exactly what to to with the exported files. There are no .pof files. Only ogre dlls and the pictures for the skybox.

[rscaper1070]

Just grab the pof from a mod that uses skyboxs. Blue Planet has them. Then assign your pictures to the pof.

[Master_of_the_blade]

Where is it?

Edit: I created my own using 3ds max(a box with the required textures which i flipped). Theres no option to export it to .pof or any PSC2 compatible format. What do i do now?

[redsniper]

Export to .dae? I think we used to have some sort of max export script, but I'm pretty sure it's defunct now.

[Solatar]

*delurks*

Most mods use spherical boxes, I think.  Dragon already linked it, but there's a cube box .pof ready to go at the very bottom of the first post, just replace the textures in PCS.
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=67899.msg1340638#msg1340638

[rscaper1070]

In Blue Planet look in visuals1 VP, it's called earthskybox.

In order to export models from Max to DAE your going to need OpenCOLLADA. Max's native collada plugin won't work.

Download at....

http://code.google.com/p/opencollada/downloads/list

[Master_of_the_blade]

Thanks a lot man!
Though i did create a big one in 3ds max.
How do i use that plugin? I installed it. Do i just export to dae like normal?
Also, how do i convert DAE to pof?

[rscaper1070]

When you export a model choose OpenCollada from the list and then convert to POF with PSC2.

[Master_of_the_blade]

Well, it exported with open collada. I just dont see anything in in PCS2 after loading.
Here are the Max, obj and dae files(depending on your program).
I will now try to import the box i downloaded and slapping textures on it.

Edit: I downloaded a PCS 2.1 alpha I found. It is not loading pof files. Stops 3/4 way through 

[attachment removed and sold on the black market]

[Angelus]

Well, it exported with open collada. I just dont see anything in in PCS2 after loading.
Here are the Max, obj and dae files(depending on your program).
I will now try to import the box i downloaded and slapping textures on it.

Edit: I downloaded a PCS 2.1 alpha I found. It is not loading pof files. Stops 3/4 way through 

The conversion proces with Max goes like this:

name your box "detail0" without the quotes. Move the pivot point to the center of the cube, then make sure the cube is at 0,0,0.
Create a helper (dummy), name it "center_detail0" and move it to 0,0,0.
Reset X-form then export.
Load it up in PCS2 and save it to pof.

[Master_of_the_blade]

Well, it exported with open collada. I just dont see anything in in PCS2 after loading.
Here are the Max, obj and dae files(depending on your program).
I will now try to import the box i downloaded and slapping textures on it.

Edit: I downloaded a PCS 2.1 alpha I found. It is not loading pof files. Stops 3/4 way through 

The conversion proces with Max goes like this:

name your box "detail0" without the quotes. Move the pivot point to the center of the cube, then make sure the cube is at 0,0,0.
Create a helper (dummy), name it "center_detail0" and move it to 0,0,0.
Reset X-form then export.
Load it up in PCS2 and save it to pof.

Thank you. I shall try this. Lol, I sent you a PM asking this before I saw the thread.

Edit:I have Max 2012 and PCS 2 shows nothing.

[Angelus]

Well, it exported with open collada. I just dont see anything in in PCS2 after loading.
Here are the Max, obj and dae files(depending on your program).
I will now try to import the box i downloaded and slapping textures on it.

Edit: I downloaded a PCS 2.1 alpha I found. It is not loading pof files. Stops 3/4 way through 

The conversion proces with Max goes like this:

name your box "detail0" without the quotes. Move the pivot point to the center of the cube, then make sure the cube is at 0,0,0.
Create a helper (dummy), name it "center_detail0" and move it to 0,0,0.
Reset X-form then export.
Load it up in PCS2 and save it to pof.

Thank you. I shall try this. Lol, I sent you a PM asking this before I saw the thread.

Edit:I have Max 2012 and PCS 2 shows nothing.

Then you're out of luck, i'm afraid.
All Max versions past 2011 are incompatible with the OpenCollada exporter - which btw, pisses me off to no end.
The build-in Collada Exporter exports, on a good day, the model ( you see it in PCS2), but it lacks UV/ Texture coordinates*.

You could get Max 2011/ 2010 but that be a expensive route. Alternatively, export the model to either .obj or .3ds open it in Blender and export it from there to .dae.


*actually The UVs are there, it seems that PCS2 can't "read" them.

[Master_of_the_blade]

Still nothing in PSC 2.

[rscaper1070]

All Max versions past 2011 are incompatible with the OpenCollada exporter - which btw, pisses me off to no end..

This is incorrect, I've been using OpenCollada 1.3.1 with Max 2012 for months now. It works. I don't know why there isn't any information out there though.

[Angelus]

All Max versions past 2011 are incompatible with the OpenCollada exporter - which btw, pisses me off to no end..

This is incorrect, I've been using OpenCollada 1.3.1 with Max 2012 for months now. It works. I don't know why there isn't any information out there though.

Please tell me, how did you managed to get it to work with 2012?
Mind copying the .dle file (and other asociated files) from your Max plugin folder and share it with us?

[rscaper1070]

Here are the msi files, I have x64 and x86. Like I said, this has been working for me but I don't know why they pulled the version from their site. I haven't noticed any bugs or anything like that.

http://www.mediafire.com/?5wvn86w6nfiklam

Here's the google code links:

http://code.google.com/p/opencollada/

[Quanto]

I'd also like to point out that Space Engine also has an excellent skybox exporter.
I'd recommend it above and beyond all other methods.

This is a skybox I made using it:

[Master_of_the_blade]

Isnt Space engine a space exploration program?
Are planets also part of the skybox or they can be placed later in FRED? What about lighting directions?