Lets Play a Game of 20 questions...

[Garrett]

The topic?
Models!

Okay, I am very new the the whole 'modeling' scene.  I am doing okay in BSP but, I want to burden my knowledge.  I have a bunch of questions for you 'leets'.  When you answer, could you put the question number next to the answer so I know what you guys are answering.  Many thanks in advance.
1. When I will begin modeling, is there any special preferences I need to keep in mind so they work in the DP2 game?
2. What file extensions are excepted in DP2?
3. I know there are a lot of modeling software out there, but, I downloaded G-max because I heard about it from way back.  Will G-max be able to do what I need to make models for DP2?
4. Is G-max a high end modeling program or do you guys categorize it in the "Milkshape" category?
~~Now questions about abbreviations and such~~
5. What are/is GPL?
6. What are/is .3Ds?
7. What are/is UV mapping?
8. What are/is .TGA?
9. What are/is MD3?
10. What are/is SMDs?
11. What are/is SKM?
12. I read somewhere that something didn't have a md2 exporter.  What is a md2 exporter and why is it needed?
******LAST QUESTION******
13. Why do some people use one program to make a model, then open the file in Blender (i think i remember this right)?

I'm sorry I'm such a pain in the turd cutter

Thanks again in advance.

[Cobo]

1. When I will begin modeling, is there any special preferences I need to keep in mind so they work in the DP2 game?
I guess low vertexes.

2. What file extensions are excepted in DP2?
md2 or skm

5. What are/is GPL?
GPL is a licence that basicly means open source.

6. What are/is .3Ds?
Thats a model file format

7. What are/is UV mapping?
The process of assigning a 2d plane into a 3d model. Skinning.

8. What are/is .TGA?
Targa file format, its an image.

9. What are/is MD3?
MD3 is the model format for the quake3 engine I think, you shoudnt care about this.

11. What are/is SKM?
Skeletal model format.


12. I read somewhere that something didn't have a md2 exporter.  What is a md2 exporter and why is it needed?
MD2 exporter is a program that converts a different format than md2 into md2.

13. Why do some people use one program to make a model, then open the file in Blender (i think i remember this right)?
Because in order to export the models into DP they need to be converted into a format blender can import. Why blender? because its free and has a md2 exporter.


Hope that was helpful.

[Garrett]

I'm just spit balling here but...
First you make the SKM and the UV map of the SKM?

[Cobo]

I havent really got into modelling that much but I think you would first create a model in a format like 3ds, then you would do the UV mapping and finally you would use an exporter to convert the 3ds model and the image you made for the UVmap into a SKM and a *.skin file.

[y00tz]

I'm just spit balling here but...
First you make the SKM and the UV map of the SKM?

Wrong.  Make a model using your favorite modelling program, this will probably be Wings 3D, Blender, Milkshape 3D, Maya, or 3D Studio Max.
within each program there is a different way to UV map your objects, and to split portions of the 3D shape into 2D shapes, which can then be colored/textured "skinned" and applied to the 3D shape to give the 3D a "skin."

From whatever program you use, you'll have to export it eventually as an SMD (Half-Life/2 file format) from there you'll use a program called SKModeler to convert the SMD into an SKM model.

For MD2, you could probably find a file that exports MD2 models directly.

-y00tz

[Garrett]

Thanks y00tz.  So basically, most the of the models I will make will need to be converted to SKM or MD2.

Will gmax get the job done?

[ViciouZ]

If you do what y00tz said about skms, yes.

[Apocalypse]

1. When I will begin modeling, is there any special preferences I need to keep in mind so they work in the DP2 game?
Also aswell as what Cobo said keep in mind models are not solid you can move through them and even if you place clip brushes around them you can still shoot through them.
I would answer more but Cobo stole mine lol

[S8NSSON]

READ READ READ...

These links may not deal specifically with your modeling tool, but some will discuss philosophies of low-poly modeling.

http://www.quake2.com/modeling/
http://www.3dluvr.com/content/article/72
http://www.worldforge.org/media/documents/docs3d/tutorials/approaches
http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials/benmathis/benmathis_1.asp
http://www.dccdesigner.com/Htm/Tutorials/LPM_1.htm

[Garrett]

Isn't there anyway to stop the shooting through?

[Cobo]

Isn't there anyway to stop the shooting through?

A solid brush (non clip), maybe?

[Garrett]

I was thinking that.  Do some clever brushing around the model and set the surface properties to 'no draw'

[Cobo]

I cant remember if the no draw flag makes the brush still solid tho (ie You can touch it but not see it).

[KiLo]

Real quick you lie in the title of the topic. This is 13 Questions not 20 Questions. ;P

[Cobo]

Nope, 14.

The topic?

[Garrett]

Haha, sorry about the lie.  I could come up with another 6 if you guys want.

Anyway, 'no draw' is still solid I am almost positive.

[Garrett]

Well thats all the questions I had, but one... just kidding.  Thanks for the help guys and I hope that I will be able to help out some other little pain in the a$$ so you won't have to.  Sorry to bother you and good day to you all.