3D software

[n003lb]

Again, sorry if this has been asked and answered. I don't have time to search the forum right now.

What 3D modelers do you folks building mods use? I have access to 3DSMax, but can I use it for Starshatter? Is there another modeler that is more user friendly, and preferably free? I saw something about one called Delgine, or something like that. I think it's free, but is it any good?

The problem I have with Max is I've never had any training on it, so I'm not very good with it yet. I have designed a few spacecraft models on it, but I've never finished one. Also, it's a little hard for me to get to it, as it's on a realative's system. If I can find a free modeler that I can put on my computer, that would be better.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[wdboyd]

Hi,

You can check out Wings3d.com.

They have tutorials available and the price is right. [:D]

[2Harry]

You can use Magic which is the application used by the Starshatter developer (I believe he wrote it?) Its available for free download on this site. www.starshatter.com

Even if you use another modeling program you will still need Magic to put the model file into a .mag format which is what the game engine uses. If you are using 3DMax, you're in luck because Magic imports .3DS files very well. Just import the 3DS file and do a "save as" with the .mag file extension. So any modeling program, free or otherwise, that exports in 3DS will work.

[n003lb]

Is there any kind of help around on how to use Magic? I looked at it a couple times, but it seems so much different from Max that I can't figure it out. Haven't really given it much of a chance yet, though.

[wdboyd]

Hi,

Unfortunately, there is actually very little available concerning Magic.

I finally learned how to use it by just doing that... use it.

It is a low poly 3d program. It's pretty straight forward. You must use it to create your .mag files for use in Starshatter, so there is no choice but to learn the ins and outs of Magic.

One can load .mag files outright or import .obj and .3ds files and then save them as .mag files for Starshatter.

While learning.... save your work often. Fortunately, Magic has built in UNDO functions. If you are like me... you'll need it.

[Avimimus]

Hello,

I have installed magic but all of the editing functions in the menus are inactive (grayed out). This is true in all situations (making a new 3d model as well as editing stock ones).

[Adonnay]

Magic 2.0 doesn't have any polygon edit functions yet. For editing you have to use Magic 1.5.

[Avimimus]

Thank you,

3d modeling seems to be easier in some respects than doing the data files!

[Olias7]

You might also want to check out Anim8or (www.anim8or.com), and/or Ultimate Unwrap (www.unwrap3d.com).
 
Anim8or is free, Ultimate Unwrap is $20.
 
I use Anim8or for the modelling and Ultimate Unwrap for UV mapping and texturing (with Paint Shop Pro 8).  I do believe you could build the model itself in Ultimate Unwrap, but I am comfortable with Anim8or now.  You can do some basic texturing with anim8or, but it's an interactive sort of "quick and dirty" way to go about it.  If you don't have the twnety bucks, there's a freeware programe out there called "UVmapper" (I think) that can unwarp your model for you as well.
 
Both programs will export in .3DS, .OBJ and a number of other file formats.  Personally I would recommend .OBJ file format as a .3DS export from Anim8or auto-triangulates the model, which can unnecessarily almost double your poly count.

[CavemanX]

I'm using 3DS Max 8 and OBJ format to export. You can run into a bunch of problems when exporting-importing, but I wrote a short guide so others can avoid the errors I made (link in my sig).

[Marc von Martial]

The Silo 3d modeller is pretty cheap (around 120$) and I only heard good things from it. I'm actually thinking of buying after I tested the demo version.

http://www.nevercenter.com/