Are there any free modelling applications?

07-16-09, 09:39 PM

I know some of the ship modellers use professional modelling packages that cost lots of money to make ships for SH3, but does anyone know of any freeware programs that would enable me to view models in 3D?

I need something that will allow me to import model files to the application, (that may have been built in a different file format), and see inside the model, to view the zone and sphere co-ordinates in 3D.

The idea behind it is to be able to modify the behaviour of some of the ships, to make them more realistic ( i'm still trying to get the A/C's to behave better when under attack from gunfire).
I don't want to alter the model, just the settings for the zones and spheres, a bit of tweaking really.

I've tried misfit and blender, but can't import SH3 model files to them, and don't have days to spend learning my way round software packages just to view a model in 3D and make some relatively minor alterations.
Also, when it comes to things like flotability, critical flotation, critical chance etc, as in the zones.cfg file, how do i tell which is a stronger or weaker setting for the particular zone i'm trying to tweak?
And when an armour value is -1, where can i find out what that armour level is?

There seems to be very scant information available on what these values represent, so, like most people i have no idea how a ship model's behaviour is defined.
Obviously the zones and spheres have 3D co-ordinates, zones being boxes of various shapes defining areas like engine rooms,ammo/fuel bunkers etc, and spheres being circles dependent on their radius controlling effects such as fire and smoke.

Hence the need to see them in 3D, and understand the armour levels, flotability etc. values to assign to them in order to achieve the desired effect.
It's a shame there's not some kind of guide available to explain what these values mean, or if there is, can someone please point me to it?
Any info welcome

X = Width, Y = Height, Z = length. ( Thanks to VonDos ) for that one

Sledgehammer427 · 07-16-09, 10:39 PM

Use S3d. select the 3d model in the .dat, click on export and you can open up the .obj files.
Misfit's my favorite, I use it for all my 3d needs

Graf Paper · 07-17-09, 12:19 AM

There are actually many free 3D modeling apps, most released under some sort of open source license (GPL, MIT, BSD, etc.)

Wings3D is probably the best overall for beginners but has enough features to allow for even complex model building for SH3 and SH4.

Misfit3D is another one that is similar to Wings3D.

Blender 3D is the 900-pound gorilla of free 3D apps. It's even been used to produce theatrical-release quality animated movies. More extensions and scripts than there's room here to list!

DAZ 3D, is commercial freeware. They rely on the sales of add-on content to generate income for the company, so be prepared to get a few adverts each month in your e-mail box. They do offer some free stuff, though.

You might want to texture your models, so here's two free graphics apps:

GIMP, is the open-source community's answer to Photoshop. Although not as slick and polished as Adobe's flagship product, it is capable of doing a dizzying array of edits, enhancements, and effects with the same powerful features many people shell out $799 or more to have with PS.

Project Dogwaffle is a commercial graphics/animation app that has a full-featured freeware version, using the older engine from the previous iteration (v1.2) but it is still able to do impressive and detailed work.

Just Google for those names and you'll be ready to start working away at that u-boat/Bismark hybrid in no time!

Anyone else got any freeware or open-source gems they want to contribute?

Task Force · 07-17-09, 12:39 AM

and then for the people like me who know nothing of this whole 3d stuff... theres google sketch up...

Laufen zum Ziel · 07-17-09, 09:14 AM

Click my sig to go to SHA then go to modling tools under SHIII. Lots of links for free modling stuff.

07-17-09, 08:09 PM

Thank you kindly guys

I think i got Gimp too.

The interfaces on these programs are alien to me, so i was going through the help files/manuals just trying to find out how to import SH3 files to them, to view the ship model.
I couldn't find out how to do it through Blender or Misfit, ( didn't get round to Gimp) and i was baulking at the prospect of having to spend countless hours learning the intricacies of these programs, before stumbling on a way to import and view an SH3 3D model file/Folder.

I've already released a mod for the A/C's with higher armour levels, but i don't want a half baked mod, and neither does the SH3 community.

So your help is appreciated fellas, thanks again

Task Force i don't even know what google sketch up is

07-16-09, 09:39 PM	#1
roadhogg Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Are there any free modelling applications? I know some of the ship modellers use professional modelling packages that cost lots of money to make ships for SH3, but does anyone know of any freeware programs that would enable me to view models in 3D? I need something that will allow me to import model files to the application, (that may have been built in a different file format), and see inside the model, to view the zone and sphere co-ordinates in 3D. The idea behind it is to be able to modify the behaviour of some of the ships, to make them more realistic ( i'm still trying to get the A/C's to behave better when under attack from gunfire). I don't want to alter the model, just the settings for the zones and spheres, a bit of tweaking really. I've tried misfit and blender, but can't import SH3 model files to them, and don't have days to spend learning my way round software packages just to view a model in 3D and make some relatively minor alterations. Also, when it comes to things like flotability, critical flotation, critical chance etc, as in the zones.cfg file, how do i tell which is a stronger or weaker setting for the particular zone i'm trying to tweak? And when an armour value is -1, where can i find out what that armour level is? There seems to be very scant information available on what these values represent, so, like most people i have no idea how a ship model's behaviour is defined. Obviously the zones and spheres have 3D co-ordinates, zones being boxes of various shapes defining areas like engine rooms,ammo/fuel bunkers etc, and spheres being circles dependent on their radius controlling effects such as fire and smoke. Hence the need to see them in 3D, and understand the armour levels, flotability etc. values to assign to them in order to achieve the desired effect. It's a shame there's not some kind of guide available to explain what these values mean, or if there is, can someone please point me to it? Any info welcome X = Width, Y = Height, Z = length. ( Thanks to VonDos ) for that one

07-16-09, 10:39 PM	#2
Sledgehammer427 PacWagon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Drinking coffee and staring at trees in Massachusetts Posts: 2,908 Downloads: 287 Uploads: 0	Use S3d. select the 3d model in the .dat, click on export and you can open up the .obj files. Misfit's my favorite, I use it for all my 3d needs __________________ Cold Waters Voice Crew - Fire Control Officer Cmdr O. Myers - C/O USS Nautilus (SS-168) 114,000 tons sunk - 4 Spec Ops completed V-boat Nutcase - Need supplies? Japanese garrison on a small island in the way? Just give us a call! D4C!

07-17-09, 12:19 AM	#3
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	There are actually many free 3D modeling apps, most released under some sort of open source license (GPL, MIT, BSD, etc.) Wings3D is probably the best overall for beginners but has enough features to allow for even complex model building for SH3 and SH4. Misfit3D is another one that is similar to Wings3D. Blender 3D is the 900-pound gorilla of free 3D apps. It's even been used to produce theatrical-release quality animated movies. More extensions and scripts than there's room here to list! DAZ 3D, is commercial freeware. They rely on the sales of add-on content to generate income for the company, so be prepared to get a few adverts each month in your e-mail box. They do offer some free stuff, though. You might want to texture your models, so here's two free graphics apps: GIMP, is the open-source community's answer to Photoshop. Although not as slick and polished as Adobe's flagship product, it is capable of doing a dizzying array of edits, enhancements, and effects with the same powerful features many people shell out $799 or more to have with PS. Project Dogwaffle is a commercial graphics/animation app that has a full-featured freeware version, using the older engine from the previous iteration (v1.2) but it is still able to do impressive and detailed work. Just Google for those names and you'll be ready to start working away at that u-boat/Bismark hybrid in no time! Anyone else got any freeware or open-source gems they want to contribute? __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

07-17-09, 12:39 AM	#4
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	and then for the people like me who know nothing of this whole 3d stuff... theres google sketch up... __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

07-17-09, 09:14 AM	#5
Laufen zum Ziel Eternal Patrol Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hiding on the bottom Posts: 1,783 Downloads: 853 Uploads: 457	Click my sig to go to SHA then go to modling tools under SHIII. Lots of links for free modling stuff. __________________ RIP Laufen zum Ziel

07-17-09, 08:09 PM	#6
roadhogg Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Thank you kindly guys I think i got Gimp too. The interfaces on these programs are alien to me, so i was going through the help files/manuals just trying to find out how to import SH3 files to them, to view the ship model. I couldn't find out how to do it through Blender or Misfit, ( didn't get round to Gimp) and i was baulking at the prospect of having to spend countless hours learning the intricacies of these programs, before stumbling on a way to import and view an SH3 3D model file/Folder. I've already released a mod for the A/C's with higher armour levels, but i don't want a half baked mod, and neither does the SH3 community. So your help is appreciated fellas, thanks again Task Force i don't even know what google sketch up is Last edited by roadhogg; 07-17-09 at 09:06 PM.