Tutorial: Create your own models - Revision history

MIsfire: /* Item checklist for Empires model creation */

2019-02-11T22:37:06Z

Item checklist for Empires model creation

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:37, 11 February 2019
Line 17:		Line 17:
	4. The VTFEdit utility to covert Textures to VTF format and create the associated .VMT file (link below) <br />		4. The VTFEdit utility to covert Textures to VTF format and create the associated .VMT file (link below) <br />
	5. Valve model building utility, studiomdl.exe. (located in the ../empires/bin folder)<br />		5. Valve model building utility, studiomdl.exe. (located in the ../empires/bin folder)<br />
	6. Model checking utility. [https://www.wunderboy.org/downloads/mdltextureinfo_1-0-zip/ WunderBoy mdltextureinfo utility]~~<br />~~		6. Texture baking knowledge. (Turn multiple textures in to a single texture map)<br />
	~~7. Texture baking knowledge. (Turn multiple textures in to a single texture map)~~<br />		7. Model checking utility. [https://www.wunderboy.org/downloads/mdltextureinfo_1-0-zip/ WunderBoy mdltextureinfo utility]<br />
	The model check utility examines the final .mdl file and tells what textures are expected and their locations relative to the ./empires game folder.		The model check utility examines the final .mdl file and tells what textures are expected and their locations relative to the ./empires game folder.
	This can be very helpful when trying to troubleshoot missing texture problems. Follow the included readme file for install instructions.		This can be very helpful when trying to troubleshoot missing texture problems. Follow the included readme file for install instructions.

MIsfire: /* Item checklist for Empires model creation */

2019-02-11T22:35:57Z

Item checklist for Empires model creation

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:35, 11 February 2019
Line 18:		Line 18:
	5. Valve model building utility, studiomdl.exe. (located in the ../empires/bin folder)<br />		5. Valve model building utility, studiomdl.exe. (located in the ../empires/bin folder)<br />
	6. Model checking utility. [https://www.wunderboy.org/downloads/mdltextureinfo_1-0-zip/ WunderBoy mdltextureinfo utility]<br />		6. Model checking utility. [https://www.wunderboy.org/downloads/mdltextureinfo_1-0-zip/ WunderBoy mdltextureinfo utility]<br />
			7. Texture baking knowledge. (Turn multiple textures in to a single texture map)<br />
	The model check utility examines the final .mdl file and tells what textures are expected and their locations relative to the ./empires game folder.		The model check utility examines the final .mdl file and tells what textures are expected and their locations relative to the ./empires game folder.
	This can be very helpful when trying to troubleshoot missing texture problems. Follow the included readme file for install instructions.		This can be very helpful when trying to troubleshoot missing texture problems. Follow the included readme file for install instructions.
	~~7. Texture baking knowledge. (Turn multiple textures in to a single texture map)~~
	<br />		<br />
	These are the basics needed to complete and put a model in Empires.<br />		These are the basics needed to complete and put a model in Empires.<br />

MIsfire: /* Item checklist for Empires model creation */

2019-02-11T22:34:47Z

Item checklist for Empires model creation

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 11 February 2019
Line 20:		Line 20:
	The model check utility examines the final .mdl file and tells what textures are expected and their locations relative to the ./empires game folder.		The model check utility examines the final .mdl file and tells what textures are expected and their locations relative to the ./empires game folder.
	This can be very helpful when trying to troubleshoot missing texture problems. Follow the included readme file for install instructions.		This can be very helpful when trying to troubleshoot missing texture problems. Follow the included readme file for install instructions.
			7. Texture baking knowledge. (Turn multiple textures in to a single texture map)
	<br />		<br />
	These are the basics needed to complete and put a model in Empires.<br />		These are the basics needed to complete and put a model in Empires.<br />

MIsfire: /* Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific) */

2019-02-11T22:28:45Z

Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific)

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:28, 11 February 2019
Line 52:		Line 52:
	[http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Exporting_a_model Valve developer tutorial - How to export models]		[http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Exporting_a_model Valve developer tutorial - How to export models]

	=== Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific) ===		=== Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific 2.5x and greater) ===

	Not all models require a collision model. If your~~'s does~~, here are the basic steps using Blender. ~~Refer~~ to the smoothing group details of your specific app.		Not all models require a custom collision model. The compiler will build a default collision model covering the model as one large block. If your model has more details that are important to player interaction, here are the basic steps to build a custom one using Blender. If using apps other than Blender, refer to the smoothing group details of your specific app.

	On a separate layer from the textured model, build a very simple area model out of blocks and rectangles. Do not apply textures. Each block must be it's own separate object. Create a new object for each detail. It is OK to stretch and angle the block's form to better mimic the model. Do not let these blocks touch or cross each other! Leave a small gap between them.

	~~If you select one~~ of ~~the block objects~~ and ~~more than one~~ block is ~~highlighted~~, ~~they must be separated~~. ~~Go to edit mode, select~~ a ~~face, edge or vertices in the second~~ object ~~then hover~~ over it and ~~hit L~~ to ~~select~~ the ~~"island" (whole object at once)~~. ~~Next hit P~~ and ~~"separate by selection"~~ to ~~make it~~ a separate ~~object~~.		Build a very simple model out of six sided blocks and rectangles that overlay your model's parts. Make sure each block in your collision model is it's own object, do not make one large object containing many blocks. Create a new object/block for each detail and size them to fit over your model. It is OK to stretch and angle the block's form to better mimic the model's shape. Do not let these blocks touch or cross each other! Leave a very small gap between them. When all of your block objects are done and sized to fit your model details, move them as a group to their own separate layer for the next steps.

	~~When the collision model is complete~~ you ~~will have~~ a ~~list~~ of ~~items called cube~~.~~001~~-~~00x~~, ~~don't worry about these yet. Now it's time~~ to ~~make~~ a ~~smooth group. One at a time for each of~~ the ~~objects~~, ~~select it and go~~ to ~~the "Tools" tab~~ in ~~the 3D view~~. ~~Find the "Shading" section~~ and click "~~Smooth~~"~~. Do not use~~ the ~~Object Modifiers Smooth option by mistake. That will not have the desired affect. When each object is smoothed it will display a slight change in the 3D view showing a successful smooth~~.		If you've made a mistake and selecting one of the block objects highlights more than one block, the two must be separated. Select the multi-block object, go to edit mode, select a face, edge or vertices in the object, then L to highlight a single block (island in blender terms). Next hit P and click "separate by selection" to make the blocks separate objects.

	~~To group~~ the list of ~~smoothed~~ object, select ~~one of them and hit~~ "A" to choose ~~all of the objects on the layer~~. ~~Make sure other objects are~~ not ~~selected by accident such as lights and cameras. Unwanted items can be deselected by toggling their arrow icon in~~ the ~~scene menu.~~		When the collision model is complete you will have a list of items called cube.001-00x. Don't worry about these yet. Now it's time to make a smooth group. One at a time for each of the objects you will be switching back an forth between object and edit modes. In object mode, select a block, switch to edit mode, highlight the entire block with A key, go to the "Shading/UV" and and choose Faces:Smooth button while in 3D view. Do not use the "Object Modifiers" Smooth option by mistake. That will not have the desired affect. When each object is smoothed it will display a slight change in appearance in the 3D view showing a successful smooth.
	~~When all are selected, hit~~ "~~CTRL + J~~" ~~to group the smoothed objects~~. ~~Notice all of~~ the ~~cube~~.~~00x objects have now been combined in to one~~ object ~~with~~ a ~~single name. Now is the time to~~ change the ~~cube.00x name to the desired matching model name~~. ~~"modelexample_collision" for example~~

	You are now ready to export the ~~modelexample_collision~~.smd file using the blender smd plugin. Refer to the plugin information above.		To group the list of smoothed object, go back to object mode, select one object and then and hit A key to choose all of the block objects. Make sure other objects are not selected by accident such as lights and cameras. Unwanted items can be deselected by toggling their arrow icon in the scene menu.
			When all are selected, hit "CTRL + J" to group the smoothed objects. Notice all of the cube.00x objects have now been combined in to one object with a single name. Now is the time to change the cube.00x name to the matching model name. "modelname_collision" for example

			You are now ready to export the modelnamee_collision.smd file using the blender smd plugin. Refer to the plugin information above.
	<br />		<br />
	Valve has very good but older tutorial that is Blender specific. It is basic information no matter which software is used.		Valve has very good but older tutorial that is Blender specific. It is basic information no matter which software is used.

MIsfire: /* Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific) */

2017-02-12T19:20:39Z

Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific)

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:20, 12 February 2017
Line 54:		Line 54:
	=== Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific) ===		=== Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific) ===

	Not all models require a collision model. If your's does, here are the basic steps using Blender. Refer to the smoothing group details your specific app.		Not all models require a collision model. If your's does, here are the basic steps using Blender. Refer to the smoothing group details of your specific app.

	On a separate layer from the textured model, build a very simple area model out of blocks and rectangles. Do not apply textures. Each block must be it's own separate object. Create a new object for each detail. It is OK to stretch and angle the block's form to better mimic the model. Do not let these blocks touch or cross each other! Leave a small gap between them.		On a separate layer from the textured model, build a very simple area model out of blocks and rectangles. Do not apply textures. Each block must be it's own separate object. Create a new object for each detail. It is OK to stretch and angle the block's form to better mimic the model. Do not let these blocks touch or cross each other! Leave a small gap between them.

MIsfire: /* Before you compile */

2017-02-12T19:19:05Z

Before you compile

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:19, 12 February 2017
Line 205:		Line 205:

	*[https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Collision_mesh#Blender Collisionmodel]: Compiling without including a separate collision mesh will result in one solid mesh roughly the same size as the model. Concave features, openings or holes in the model will not be recognized automatically. When building the very sparse collision model, place the submodel objects very close to each other but do not overlap them. If this is not done correctly the build will default back to one single solid physics collision model.		*[https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Collision_mesh#Blender Collisionmodel]: Compiling without including a separate collision mesh will result in one solid mesh roughly the same size as the model. Concave features, openings or holes in the model will not be recognized automatically. When building the very sparse collision model, place the submodel objects very close to each other but do not overlap them. If this is not done correctly the build will default back to one single solid physics collision model.

	~~This is a Blender specific tutorial, but also has good basic information no matter which software is used.<br />~~
	~~[https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Modeling_props_with_Blender Collision Mesh Tutorial for Blender]~~

	*Textures: Create your model and texture all faces. '''Faces without a proper texture mapping will be ignored while compiling and won't occur in game'''. If you don't care about texturing, apply any name, HL2 wont find the texture and will apply the deafult purple-black chess texture. Finally save your model as SMD-file.		*Textures: Create your model and texture all faces. '''Faces without a proper texture mapping will be ignored while compiling and won't occur in game'''. If you don't care about texturing, apply any name, HL2 wont find the texture and will apply the deafult purple-black chess texture. Finally save your model as SMD-file.

MIsfire: /* Create your model */

2017-02-12T19:18:10Z

Create your model

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:18, 12 February 2017
Line 51:		Line 51:

	[http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Exporting_a_model Valve developer tutorial - How to export models]		[http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Exporting_a_model Valve developer tutorial - How to export models]

			=== Create The Collision Model (Blender Specific) ===

			Not all models require a collision model. If your's does, here are the basic steps using Blender. Refer to the smoothing group details your specific app.

			On a separate layer from the textured model, build a very simple area model out of blocks and rectangles. Do not apply textures. Each block must be it's own separate object. Create a new object for each detail. It is OK to stretch and angle the block's form to better mimic the model. Do not let these blocks touch or cross each other! Leave a small gap between them.

			If you select one of the block objects and more than one block is highlighted, they must be separated. Go to edit mode, select a face, edge or vertices in the second object then hover over it and hit L to select the "island" (whole object at once). Next hit P and "separate by selection" to make it a separate object.

			When the collision model is complete you will have a list of items called cube.001-00x, don't worry about these yet. Now it's time to make a smooth group. One at a time for each of the objects, select it and go to the "Tools" tab in the 3D view. Find the "Shading" section and click "Smooth". Do not use the Object Modifiers Smooth option by mistake. That will not have the desired affect. When each object is smoothed it will display a slight change in the 3D view showing a successful smooth.

			To group the list of smoothed object, select one of them and hit "A" to choose all of the objects on the layer. Make sure other objects are not selected by accident such as lights and cameras. Unwanted items can be deselected by toggling their arrow icon in the scene menu.
			When all are selected, hit "CTRL + J" to group the smoothed objects. Notice all of the cube.00x objects have now been combined in to one object with a single name. Now is the time to change the cube.00x name to the desired matching model name. "modelexample_collision" for example

			You are now ready to export the modelexample_collision.smd file using the blender smd plugin. Refer to the plugin information above.
			<br />
			Valve has very good but older tutorial that is Blender specific. It is basic information no matter which software is used.
			[https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Modeling_props_with_Blender Collision Mesh Tutorial for Blender]

	=== Prepare for compiling ===		=== Prepare for compiling ===

MIsfire: /* Create your model */

2017-02-04T22:46:37Z

Create your model

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:46, 4 February 2017
Line 41:		Line 41:
	* [http://www.milkshape3d.com/ Milkshape] (Shareware)		* [http://www.milkshape3d.com/ Milkshape] (Shareware)
	* [http://www.misfitcode.com/misfitmodel3d/ Misfit Model 3D] (Freeware)		* [http://www.misfitcode.com/misfitmodel3d/ Misfit Model 3D] (Freeware)
	* [http://www.blender.org/ Blender] (Open Source) ~~The needed~~ addon [http://steamreview.org/BlenderSourceTools/ SMD ~~export utility~~]		* [http://www.blender.org/ Blender] (Open Source) and the required addon. --> [http://steamreview.org/BlenderSourceTools/ SMD Export Utility]
	* [http://sketchup.google.com/ Google Sketchup] with [http://www.playuptools.com/ Playup Tools] (Freeware) (Untested. Please give feedback or opinions on the forum)		* [http://sketchup.google.com/ Google Sketchup] with [http://www.playuptools.com/ Playup Tools] (Freeware) (Untested. Please give feedback or opinions on the forum)
	If you work with Solidworks, it's also possible to build a model, export as a .obj file, then convert the object file to SMD with one of the other free apps.		If you work with Solidworks, it's also possible to build a model, export as a .obj file, then convert the object file to SMD with one of the other free apps.

MIsfire: /* Before you compile */

2017-02-04T22:41:28Z

Before you compile

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:41, 4 February 2017
Line 186:		Line 186:
	Check following points:		Check following points:

	*Collisionmodel: ~~Overlapping submodels~~ will ~~be seens~~ as ~~one~~, ~~which may result~~ in ~~an ugly~~ physics collision model.		*[https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Collision_mesh#Blender Collisionmodel]: Compiling without including a separate collision mesh will result in one solid mesh roughly the same size as the model. Concave features, openings or holes in the model will not be recognized automatically. When building the very sparse collision model, place the submodel objects very close to each other but do not overlap them. If this is not done correctly the build will default back to one single solid physics collision model.

			This is a Blender specific tutorial, but also has good basic information no matter which software is used.<br />
			[https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Modeling_props_with_Blender Collision Mesh Tutorial for Blender]

	*Textures: Create your model and texture all faces. '''Faces without a proper texture mapping will be ignored while compiling and won't occur in game'''. If you don't care about texturing, apply any name, HL2 wont find the texture and will apply the deafult purple-black chess texture. Finally save your model as SMD-file.		*Textures: Create your model and texture all faces. '''Faces without a proper texture mapping will be ignored while compiling and won't occur in game'''. If you don't care about texturing, apply any name, HL2 wont find the texture and will apply the deafult purple-black chess texture. Finally save your model as SMD-file.

MIsfire: /* Limitations and features of HL2 models */

2017-02-04T22:14:30Z

Limitations and features of HL2 models

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 4 February 2017
Line 3:		Line 3:
	== Limitations and features of HL2 models ==		== Limitations and features of HL2 models ==

	*~~You~~ can use 32 different textures ~~on one model~~ and up to eight different LOD models.		*One model can use 32 different textures and up to eight different LOD models.
	*Faces without texture specified will be ignored while compiling.		*Faces without a texture specified will be ignored while compiling.
	*Textures must be defined ~~with~~ VMT files as VertexLitGeneric.		*Textures must be defined within their coesponding .VMT files as "VertexLitGeneric".
	*~~You~~ can ~~add static entities in your~~ model, such as smokeemitters.		*Static entities can be added to the model, such as smokeemitters.
	*~~Up to~~ 20 sub models for physics collision detection. (can be overwritten by $maxconvexpieces)		*20 sub models can be defined for physics collision detection. (can be overwritten by $maxconvexpieces)
	*Custom ~~gibs,~~ that spawn on zero health and disappear after a while.		*Custom [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Gibs GIBS] can be included that spawn on zero health and disappear after a while.

	== Item checklist for Empires model creation ==		== Item checklist for Empires model creation ==