DATs, AOs and Animations. Help Please!

[sergei]

Little bit of background before i ask my question.

After a 3 month hiatus due to real life getting in the way, I've started my skinning project back up again.
I now have access to 3ds Max, so have made new AO files that I can edit and use for dazzle camo.

See screenshot
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7753/biyo1.jpg

And here you can see a problem I ran into. The funnel, masts, lifeboats etc were still trying to reference the co-ordinates of the old AO file.
SO I figured out how to make an AO file that included all the additional objects that make up a ship in SH4.
Then remade the UVW files for each object, and positioned them in the correct place (using 3ds).

It's the next stage where I am running into problems.
Obviously I have to re-import each object back into the DAT with my new channel 2.
If the object is not linked to an animation this is no problem.

But some are.
Here is an example
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/4484/helpmeplease.jpg

I am trying to import 'catarg01' (the forward mast).
I am then asked if I want to import the animations as well.
I click yes. And get the error message.
It's seems to be telling me that 'catarg02' has a different number of vertices than 'catarg01'
Obviously the animation seems to connect both masts.
But why does it need the vertices of both objects to be identical?
Just to check I hadn't FUBARED anything messing around with the DAT, I checked a DAT I hadn't touched.
In it the forward mast has 1244 vertices, the aft mast has 1208.
So it's not something I have changed.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next.
I have managed to get this far using internet and SUBSIM searches.
I have done a SUBSIM search for 'animation' and 'animations', but none of the threads I found seem to go anywhere near the problem I am experiencing.

I am hoping it is something really silly, like a little checkbox somewhere I have neglected to turn on.

Any help or suggestions gratefully recieved.
Thanks

[skwasjer]

The two masts are not animated. S3D incorrectly assumes your OBJ-files are part of an animation sequence because the file name ends with 01 and the 2nd mast with 02. Simply choose no when it asks for import of animation and import both masts seperately :up:

[McHibbins]

OT : Man, I´m so glad that you´re back with your skinning project

On topic:I think Iambecomelife may help you with this problem. Try a PM

[sergei]

The two masts are not animated. S3D incorrectly assumes your OBJ-files are part of an animation sequence because the file name ends with 01 and the 2nd mast with 02. Simply choose no when it asks for import of animation and import both masts seperately :up:

Oh great, that makes sense skwasjer. :DL
I assumed I'd break something if I chose no.
I'll give it a go.
Thanks for the quick reply :up:

[sergei]

Update:
Yep, that worked a treat.
Although I did manage to break an animation!

Further investigation solved the problem.
I'll post a screenshot here, as it may help someone in the future.

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/8397/s3d1.jpg

After updating all the objects on my ship, I loaded it into the museum.
I noticed the crew were missing. Assuming this was animation related, I investigated the DAT and found that there was an animation attached to the lifeboats.
So I just re-imported the boats with the animation turned on.

Easy to see in the DAT now, isn't it :DL
Now I know what to look for, it's blindingly obvious!
And I can now tell at a glance which objects have associated animations.

Anyway, just want to say massive kudos and respect to you skwasjer.
I'd previously only used S3D for tinkering about in the ZON and SIM files.
Now I am playing around with the DATS, I can see just how massively useful this program is.
The model preview in particular is brilliant.
Such a timesaver checking out skin changes etc. without having to load up SH4.

Thanks skwasjer.
Good work mate :up:

PS. Good luck in the match this afternoon.

[keltos01]

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/8397/s3d1.jpg

Thanks skwasjer.
Good work mate :up:

PS. Good luck in the match this afternoon.

seems like you got it figured out ! beautiful skin btw :yeah:

keltos

[skwasjer]

Update:
Anyway, just want to say massive kudos and respect to you skwasjer.
I'd previously only used S3D for tinkering about in the ZON and SIM files.
Now I am playing around with the DATS, I can see just how massively useful this program is.
The model preview in particular is brilliant.
Such a timesaver checking out skin changes etc. without having to load up SH4.

Thanks skwasjer.
Good work mate :up:

PS. Good luck in the match this afternoon.
Good job! Looks good too!