New 3d toys? VII

[ccc]

I should check Dragon's website every 12 hours...incredible new shots!!



http://home.woh.rr.com/rprior/macf4/

[Dragon]

LE and 3ds Files:

I talked with Julian a little and then found some good information on the Web about the 3ds file structure. Within a few hours I had a function that would import a raw 3ds file into LE. I made a few modifications last night and did some auto-calculations during the import and when I calculated the Shaders, the model comes thru looking pretty nice!

I also tested a small model that was textured in 3ds and the mapping comes thru the import just fine!

What this all means is we can now import a raw 3ds file into LE. What will be left up to you to do is to break up the model into branches and insert the Split nodes properly. This will require quite a bit of copy/paste but really doesnt take that long.

If someone is familiar with 3ds (ccc), I have a few questions:

1. Within the file is an "Object". This object contains the vectors, nodes and texture mapping. Is it possible to do a model with more than a single "Object"?

2. Can a model be textured using more than a single texture? (might be tied to using a second Object)

3. Use of Materials. How do you determine what material type to use for each polygon?

4. Do you have any control over the order of the vertices of the polygons? Right now, I am having problems making sense of the flags and cant seem to read the orders in the proper manner. Unlike most 3D programs, 3ds doesnt use a standard direction. They float back and forth.

Anyway, if someone can answer some of these questions along with providing some 3ds files, that would be great!

[ccc]

Sorry Sir, my poor 3ds knowledge cant do any help...i didnt touch 3ds max for months!

Ripper should be able to give you a hand, his 3ds expert

[ccc]

here i play with LE3.02, it works, so i can show two more toys

[Hunter]

Awesome, that means we can inport my Harrier 3ds model to falcon!! Thanks!!!

[icebrain]

Any chance you could get the converter to work with Rhino?

[Dragon]

If we can find information about the file structure of a Rhino file, then we could allow LE to read it also. I was able to find all the information I needed for 3ds in a short search on the web.

[ccc]

Dragon shows us magic again!

Type42 in 3ds, i built it for Falkland theater a loooooong while ago, now converted to LOD! very promising!!

[icebrain]

quote:Originally posted by Dragon:
If we can find information about the file structure of a Rhino file, then we could allow LE to read it also. I was able to find all the information I needed for 3ds in a short search on the web.

Actually, I can get Rhino to output in 3ds, but LE won't read it because it has "multiple objects". Should I try to make it as one polysurface?

[Dragon]

No. LE is coded to read the multiple objects and I think Fred missed removing a check so I am sure a version will be uploaded today that will allow you to do it.

I will be working on the offsets tonight to make sure all the objects load in the proper locations. Right now, some of them are out of position.

[Pedro Ferreira]

quote:Originally posted by Dragon:
No. LE is coded to read the multiple objects and I think Fred missed removing a check so I am sure a version will be uploaded today that will allow you to do it.

I will be working on the offsets tonight to make sure all the objects load in the proper locations. Right now, some of them are out of position.

Version 3.04 is out
Pedro

[ccc]

Icebrain, see my post on Iceland forum, Typhoon thread.

you need a hollow shape for conversoin, for the time being.

[icebrain]

quote:Originally posted by ccc:
Icebrain, see my post on Iceland forum, Typhoon thread.

you need a hollow shape for conversoin, for the time being.

Whatever that means I don't really know much about 3DS (I have it but I can't do anything with it), and the way Rhino exports files uses a large number of polygons, since it uses NURBS instead of polygons and meshes and stuff.

[ccc]

[Hunter]

That's a Chinese J-10 CCC?

Joking, hehe.
Great job buddy!

[Widowmaker]

Looking great ccc
is the model already scaled up to its real size??

Widmak

[ccc]

Hehe Hunter, I've thought of it but, since G2/F12 will do it, i wont touch it.

Widmkr, you mean its too small? i use dimension data from FAS.

[Xanix]

New F-105 model "Medium" detail. I'm doing it very accurate. 2D made in Autocad 2000 and imported to Max for 3D.

For Falcon 4. Project 1 and maybe(?) Falcon V.

Can LodEdit support more detailed aircraft?

* Work in progress...



Xanix

[ccc]

Xanix, Well done! you show your archi talent on Thud!

Honestly, i dont know the poly limit, but Viper in F4 is 1700+ poly.
my 2c, adequately model your thud, dont waste too many polys on flat, minor curve surfaces. spend some polys on undercarriage or small parts, you'll find it makes your model "delicated", or " elegant".
I've compared many nice MSFS models, they all show the same feature.

Besides, F4 is not a a/c-seeing sim, its war. Look at my rough typhoon, in most close ACM, its shilouette looks just good.

[ccc]

Since many 3ds modelers start working on complex toys, i'm going to do simple shapes, like this tiny toy

[Aeyes]

Hey that's great! target practice
I like new stuff

[ccc]

Hehe.. that sample is 60 x 60 ft! could be too large.

should i reduce the size to 30x30ft?

[Hunter]

Target practice for A-10 gun!

[This message has been edited by Hunter (edited July 15, 2001).]

[hc_pookie]

I like the target object. This would be very useful for the Nevada theater!

I've been thinking about making a large square target 'building' that is maybe 10 feet high, that will have a bullseye painted on the roof.

I've only seen the stand-up and laying-down targets, but I'm sure there are other types?

[Hunter]

Good idea, I saw that they use those target practice spots to check acuracy of laser guided bombs!

[Ice]

Target practise, hhmm, sounds good.

Yep am in.


Ice.

[ccc]

Hehe, seems you guys want more target practice?
We need solid dimension data, there should be various NATO standard practice targets simulating APC, tank, or bunker. Once i got info, i'll build them, remeber the range in Falcon3.0?

btw, i just viewed a vid clip of SU25 stratfing APC on russian weapon catalog site...wow..that twin barrels kills! not a good news for M113 crew!

[ccc]

Alright, i know this pic is not so impressive like other in-game shots, but toys are there, almost ready.
Both shapes generated by Mike's magic tool, LodCompiler, done in minutes!!!
I've passed them to Mike, hope he could kindly finish up toys for everybody

[Hunter]

Hmm, you did the ASRAAM, but how about missile realistic behavior?

[ccc]

quote:Originally posted by Hunter:
Hmm, you did the ASRAAM, but how about missile realistic behavior?

If you ever check eTeam's pytheon4 avi(available on dephi forum), you'll learn that

[Hunter]

Link please?

[hc_pookie]

AFAIK the Python will be included in RP5. I am 99% certain it is not available yet.

I think there is an ACMI file of the final product in action floating around on the Delphi forum.

- Jerry

[ccc]

Jerry is right, IIRC, Vexx posted it. maybe search www.sim-news.com

I viewed it, then dropped it.
that clip showed a missile fired at high-bore sight and hit its target magically, sure, in falcon4.