A question of the modellers?

[Tortured_Soul]

I want to ask a question of the modellers here.

I have a slight problem. I play the Discovery Mod for Freelancer and I had a bash at polishing up some of the aspects of the game.

To do what I want to, the models need to be made of one single block. The same way you would do if you were polygon modelling.

Unfortunately, the hundred or so custom models in use of the mod are made of several blocks, over lapping on-an-other. I was wondering, does anyone know of a method, which is quick and automated, that would convert the models from being multiple blocks, into being a single block.

Textures and UVW maps are of no consequence to what I'm trying to do, so they can disrupted if they need to be.

If you don't directly know, could you point me in the direction of a group who might?

[xKamikazex]

Most 3D packages let you "Merge" objects to one another. It is required for all games if you want to import any new model that it be merged into a Mesh first. You may still have a hierarchy with the model though with different elements doing different things, but it is still just one Mesh.

Same rules apply to our models. Our Mechs all have to be Merged into one.

[Tortured_Soul]

Hmmm, I see what you're saying. I don't think I've explained myself correctly though.

What I need is for the separate blocks to be physically modified, so that when it's all be merged together, they form a single, flowing physical construction. Rather than several constructions overlapping one-an-other.

Eg

Currently I have, lets say, a box with a cylinder sticking out of the top. They're two separate objects and I merge them into one. But from a physical point of view, it's still a box, with two faces to each side and a cylinder overlapping into it slightly. What I need done is the top of this box, to have the two faces deleted, then new faces created between the vertices of the box, and the vertices of the cylinder.

First Picture's what I have
Second picture's what I want

(Done them manually, but I have several of these to do for each of the hundred or so models and they're much more complicated than this)



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[xKamikazex]

Oh, I know what you're talking about now. You're referring to a process in 3DS Max called "Boolean Union". I'm not sure if your MilkShape program has it, but with Max's Boolean Union it does exactly what you've just laid out right there.

To read more about Boolean, go here...

http://www.cglearn.com/tutorials/max3/07_boolean.html

[Tortured_Soul]

Thankfully, I just used Milkshape for this example. I use 3DS Max 9 as my main modelling prgram, although I am most definitely still a nubetty nub n00b on it. Thanks though, you've saved me a convoy load of work.

[xKamikazex]

I'm glad I could be of help .

[Kit Lightning]

Thanks! for the tutor-link, xKamikazex  .
IŽve been stuck on my missile bays etc. on that silly rutine. Thou I made it in the old Bryce, I obviously had fordotten all about when starting this summer in 3D max... silly me!
 IŽll return to you with some Mechs. in the near future, thou I also has alot of pencil-sketches, that I (perculiar) have been connected to a (now dead?) game of similar type.

Again thank you very much, sir!

[Criminal]

Thanks! for the tutor-link, xKamikazex  .
IŽve been stuck on my missile bays etc. on that silly rutine. Thou I made it in the old Bryce, I obviously had fordotten all about when starting this summer in 3D max... silly me!
 IŽll return to you with some Mechs. in the near future, thou I also has alot of pencil-sketches, that I (perculiar) have been connected to a (now dead?) game of similar type.

Again thank you very much, sir!

Post those sketches! We love sketches!

[PanzerBoxb]

Post those sketches! We love sketches!

Except those portraying AoP as a furry. 

[Kit Lightning]

Post those sketches! We love sketches!

Except those portraying AoP as a furry. 

... a furry rabbit ?

[Criminal]

Maybe it means something in germany

[Kit Lightning]

... on the sketches ... I will post some this weekend ... elsewhere look other work, by yours truly, at http://pinksniperiii.deviantart.com/ where I also will post them.

[Kit Lightning]

Here are some sketches for you ... enjoy (and laugh if nessecary)

[Galagher]

I kinda like the first sketch.. Are those air intakes or gun holes on the sides of the cockpit? Definitely makes it look like a "Ferrari of the Mechs" ^^

You have some other views of that one? Possibly a front view? I might try to model that one out, if you allow me to.

[Galagher]

I just blocked out a bit of the model.. Just wanted to post my progress and hear what ya think..