Stupid 3D modeling question

[jdkbph]

So I'm rounding Hospital Point heading up-channel toward the 1010 docks when I receive a flurry a "ship sighted sir".

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5! USS Wasps (CV7). Arrrgggg.

Now I know what happened with Grumman and the licensing thing... and I'm sure most people who play the game would never notice... but this is killing me.

2 thoughts:

1. I know all three YKTN class were built by Newport-News and therefore subject to the bogus I've-got-deeper-pockets-than-you scare tactics being employed by these azzholes, but that still leaves the Lex and Sara-Maru, as well as several of the Essex class carriers that were not built by any of the shipyards Grumman acquired to choose from. If the devs have models of any of these ships, why can't they release them?


2. If they don't, or won't, then that leaves it up to us. There's nothing I'd like more than to flip a great big Fox Uniform Grumman's way by peppering the web with 3D models of their "intellectual property" for anyone to use.

Just one problem. I don't know how to do 3D modeling. Never done it, never even tried... no idea what's involved.

However, I am up for at least a minor challenge. But before I waste hours trying to get started on something like this, I figured I'd better ask first...

To anyone who has experience doing this, or knows something about it, is this something that can be learned and sufficiently mastered within several hours to several days? Or does this take years of study and practice?

If the former... if I could reasonably expect to learn this stuff and produce something worthwhile without quitting my job and abandoning my family for the next couple of years, I'm in.

So what say you... anyone? Worth a shot or no?

JD

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

I am a budding 3D Modeler (at least for the past 2 years). It's no easy task to master but not impossible. I started modeling combat 3D aircraft using costly software like Lightwave and 3DS Max. I've done all mostly high-res with high poly counts. Some aircraft manufacturers are not keen to let anyone use their interlectual properties. Oleg Maddox ran into that problem with IL-2 Sturmovik with some US Aircraft Company. I'm currently researching a German U-Boat that sank off the coast of Trinidad in WW2 and making a model of the craft. There a lot of tutorials on the web you can look at to start with.

[jdkbph]

Thanks for the tip. Can you recommend any particular tutorials... something appropriate for a rank novice?

JD

[jdkbph]

More questions... :D

I downloaded a freeware 3D modeling program called Blender that's supposed to be pretty good. I tried to use it open an existing SH4 model to see how it was put together, but I can't even get that far.

I'm guessing the ship models are the dat files in the data\sea folder. I opened the NCV_USEarlyWar.dat file with Notepad and it says it was created with a program called Kashmir. So I look up Kashmir and find that it's a 3D terrain modeling program!

Now I'm stupid and confused!

Am I looking at the right file? Does anyone know what program is needed to open/edit/create these files?

TIA

JD

[rodan54]

No, your correct. The models are in the .dat files, but they need to be exported.

Currently the only options for exporting are Pack3d (.obj format) which works but is problematic with SH4, or S3D 0.5 (.dae format) which only has export support for the time being.

Now I can't say for sure if Blender supports .dae, you might try looking around for a plugin perhaps though.

As for Kashmir, I believe thats just the code name for one of the programs the devs use to create SH3/4.

[jdkbph]

Thanks Rodan. That's what i'm looking for.

JD

[kapitan_zur_see]

Do not try to learn using blender for a start. While it's not that bad, it's nowhere near as good as 3dsmax R9. While it is of course somewhat more complex than blender because it is professionnal, in the end you'll spare valuable time learning directly 3dsmax. Why? bnecause nearly all games 3Dmodels are made with 3dsmax, so learning it will make your modding life far more easy (in terms of importing/exporting, for example).
Another reason is that it is the most widespread 3d modeller amongst wannabe users and experts alike on the net (maya being more movies FX oriented). Hence, you'll find the greatest amount of tutorials facilitating the learning.
Of course, it does cost a lot of money, but come on, i could easily swear on my mother's life that ALL modders here uses a pirated copy of it witout taking much of a risk lol :rotfl:
It does simply cost too much for any individual to buy... So download some copy of 3dsmax R9 and take your time, because it can be a slow process to master it ;)

[CaptainHaplo]

Zur see - do yourself a favor and edit your post after reading the forum rules - encouraging folks to dl illegal software will get you in the brig.......

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

Sorry for not posting a reply. I lost track of this post. I agree not to encourage illlegal copies of any software. Hell, I paid a lot for 3DS Max!:nope:

Blender is ok for the novice, but Max gets some getting used to. There are tutorials that came with the software that helped me along. I'm sorry but there's no easy way to model without spending time and money. In fact I'm taking animation classes using Lightwave. If you do see online tutorials you'll need the software of course. Try looking up Blender tutorials online. I'm almost sure there are some out there. I'm going to try to open up a .dat file with 3DSMax and have a look see.;)

[Madox58]

3DS Max will not open a dat file.
You must export from the dat with your prefered tool to access the models.