Tutorial for MD3 loader

vermeer · Post by **vermeer** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 4:08 pm

cool...now no time for it, but in july I may post a tut and tools to use with npherno compiler to output md3 from with several packages...

So, is good that you solve this...

r2d2 · Post by **r2d2** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 3:55 pm

Seems like it is now able to load nearly all MD3 files at least all i got (including the one from vermeer).
I am now working on Tags but that can take some time because the old Tag code is not really good i think i have to rewrite that also.

Peter Müller · Post by **Peter Müller** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 4:16 pm

Don't hurry! We had no MD3 support for 10 versions now, so one more is not the problem.

vermeer · Post by **vermeer** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 4:24 pm

YAY!!

Definitely.

I'll write a small-brief text based tut of my workflow and possible other workflows in what is art for md3, and with free tools.

vermeer · Post by **vermeer** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 4:26 pm

my art path ("a better md2" could be called my tutorial hehe) does not need tags, nor of the other stuff, (does it load textures?I suppose yes...) But most other people will need it...

r2d2 · Post by **r2d2** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 5:53 pm

It loads the Texture Coordinates out of the md3 file and then you can assign a Texture to it.

vermeer · Post by **vermeer** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 8:31 pm

way enough

Thanks a lot.

Indeed, better, to swap skins.

Ok, a brief advance. You can output md3 with any package that exports ASE, or 3ds as keyframe-meshes.

that probably means: Anim8or, Blender. I don't ensure yet.

Also even Characterfx

[And Max by a plugin that output files as 3ds keyframes.But for that is better the Chris improved plugins for md3 for Max and Gmax.]

And then, basicly, import first frame with one button in npherno compiler, and "import frames", so u select all the rest. I think it takes the order of selection as frame order.There's a useful feature called "rebuild normals", good for fixing bad shading.

Euh..I think I now have made the brief tutorial

Also, you can use Accutrans (non limited shareware) to convert for example, OBJs to 3ds, in batch mode. Can't remember if ASE was supported. Hope so, as ASE hasn't got the big issues of 3ds.

I have uploaded nPherno md3 compiler for those wanting to play with it. You can make a quick test just doing this in ur modeller..: load an character, export it as 3ds or ASE (way better) , now rotate and arm or leg a bit, export, do it again till like 3 , 4 times. Then load the base mesh (frame 1) with "import objects" in Npherno, then all the following with "import frames".

rebuild normals, (you can watch what happens if you don't see nothing going to "rendering" and putting a number in one of the 3 color fields...so to change bg color)

"export objects" put the name of md3.

That's a very basic tut...

the npherno brings a nice txt to read...

I uploaded for u the file. As if not, downloading from gamespy needs logging and is tedious...as always, dunno how much time I'll live it there...

nPherno MD3 Compiler

www.anim8or.com (i can't remember if it can export a 3ds per frame, I think it did...)
www.Blender.org (you need to know how to set python scripts, for 3ds, etc)
www.micromouse.ca (Accutrans great batch converter)

Old 3d Exploration 1.5 And another converter, shareware non limited or ending in days, that will also allow converions, and some editing ...VERY GOOD, too.
http://www.dsmith.gmaxsupport.com/Essential_Tools.htm

go to the "File Format Conversion Tools" paragraph of that HTM, and you'll finde the link (not the these days comercial demo!! )

Oops, the guy also hosts npherno compiler...btw, dunno if is same version that the one I use...one I use i think was the latest....

hmm..yes...seems the same...and that site is quite stable, not like me that I'm always deleting stuff...

r2d2 · Post by **r2d2** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:30 pm

Well i got a little Problem with matrices. I don't know how to translate the coordinates of the head tag correctly the methods i tried over the last few days don't work. I hope i will find the solution soon but the rest is completely working and i think this problem is only a problem of me doing something wrong not beeing a bug.

r2d2 · Post by **r2d2** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:16 am

I now know where that "bug" comes from but i am not sure yet how to fix it if someone knows much about matrices and wants to help please look in the "Matrixes" thread in the Beginners Forum there i will describe the problem.

r2d2 · Post by **r2d2** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 3:36 pm

since no one seems to want to help i think i have to drop that project and to release the "bugged" source code. Has anyone an idea where i can get webspace for free? Because sourceforge always rejects me

Mr Guest · Post by **Mr Guest** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 4:47 pm

freewebs.com

vermeer · Post by **vermeer** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:49 pm

yep, that one is cool.I am using it since lot of months, and no probs. I think u gotta login once a month to not get banned, and also, put the link to freewabs in the site you make. Preferrably with the code they give u.

Also, it's limited in MB, but as for now, is one of the rfee sites that has worked well for me.

Tyn · Post by **Tyn** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:57 pm

I'll host the code on the 2080 web space if you want, I'll create a new download section: Resources. ZIP it up and email it to me at 2080@eve-corp.com

r2d2 · Post by **r2d2** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 9:35 pm

Well i just ordered webspace at Webspace-Verkauf. I think it will be available during the next week till then i'll try and error a bit around and i'll try to solve the problem with the head and i will clean up the code.

BTW: After that i will start the MD5 loader.

vermeer · Post by **vermeer** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 10:32 pm

" BTW: After that i will start the MD5 loader. "

* YAY *

Irrlicht Engine

Tutorial for MD3 loader

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