Needed: Simple Tutorial for exporting and importing S2TW Equipment model Modifications

[wangrin]

The initial pose is the not a problem with skeleton I think, but the pose.
Reference pose is the classic tpose.

If you look at Strip_Armour_Arm.max (for example), you will see that model is compsed of 3 layers :

• 0 (default) : contain lod1 to lod4 models
• Skeleton : contain man bones
• Weapon bones : contain weapon1, weapon2 and weapon3

So, skeleton is complete.
I really don't understand why BoB said that it cannot recognize man_skeleton.


Notes :
If you want ot use the .fbx model, you will have to create layers according to .max models provided by CA.

[Andromachos]

Wangrin,

Would there be an alternative to using a .fbx??? Just wondering... what about .obj, or something else.

Thanks for your time

[wangrin]

.obj didn't keep bones, so, you cannot use this file format.
You can use .fbx, probably .dae (collada) and .ms3d (but I don't know if it is possible to open it with 3ds max through plugin).
Maybe C4D too ?

You have to use a file format that keep informations needed : bones, UVmap, etc.

[wangrin]

I think that skeleton in include in .max model.
To hide/unhide bones (and skeleton), you have two possibilities :

1. Use LAYERS
   
   • Go to MANAGE LAYERS button
   • Expand SKELETON layer and unhide bones (click on the small bulb to unhide object)
     
   
   
2. Use UNHIDE BY NAME
   
   • right click on model view and select UNHIDE BY NAME
     
   • Go to SELECT BY NAME button
   • Select bones (you can hide other object and keep only bones (keep DISLAY BONES selected) and then select all of them)
     
   • click OK to validate your selection

PROCESS :


EQUIPMENT.MAX STRUCTURE :

Tex folder is used to store model's textures.

DEFAULT layer :
Not sure about its use, need some more researches.

EQUIPMENTS layers :
One per equipment.
Contain all lods needed by equipment, from lod1 to lod4, but not necessarily as could be limited to lod1 and lod2 for example.
Can contain different mesh, such as katana and katana_scabard for example.

SKELETON layer :
Contain all bones used by model (example : all Man_skeleton bones)

WEAPON BONES layer :
Contain bones dedicated to weapons.
They are only three : weapon1, weapon2 and weapon3

[spartan_warrior]

If anyone is interested, here is a equipment.max file which is able to be successfully processed to work in the game.

[wangrin]

Thank you very much Spartan_Warrior.
I will try to have a look to the problem this weekend.


EDIT : I'm trying to collect some posts of mine about modeling with 3ds max.

Rigging up new models in 3DS Max for Shogun 2 - post #2

I assume you have use the Equipment.max file provided by CA as a base.

1. Open Equipment.max and unhidde all object : RIGHT CLICK > UNHIDE ALL
   
   
2. Select the vertex group you want to work with :
   
   • Solution one : LEFT CLICK on the object you want to select
   • Solution two : click on SELECT BY NAME > select object name
     
     
   
   
3. Hide all unselected objects : RIGHT CLICK > HIDE UNSELECTED
   
   
4. Select the remaining model and select skin modifier : MODIFY menu > SKIN > ENVELOPE
   
   
5. Activate SELECT VERTICES
   
   
6. Open WEIGHT TOOL DIALOG or WEIGHT TABLE DIALOG
   
   
   
   You can select vertex "en masse" and use the Weight Tool Dialog box or use the Weight Table Dialog instead.

#2

Rigging up new models in 3DS Max for Shogun 2 - post #5

To add or replace bone in Skin Modifier :

Step 1 : I've hide all meshes and then UNHIDE BY NAME

• rigid_equip_Wakizashi_lod1
• RightHand (bone)
• LeftHand (bone)

Step 2 : I've removed Weapon3 bone from rigid_equip_Wakizashi_lod1 skin modifier, so, this mesh is now tied to none.



Step 3 : I've added LeftHand bone to rigid_equip_Wakizashi_lod1 skin modifier. As I've added only one bone, all vertex from this mesh are tied to LeftHand (100%).



#5

[wangrin]

I've worked on Spartan_Warrior and your equipment model.
I've used Spartan_Warrior model as a base and I've merged yours in it :



Now, I didn't have problems with skeleton, but I still have problems with textures.



I have to figure what materials to use now.

1. 2.

1. Spartan_Warrior equipment materials
2. test equipment materials



Again, it is very important to keep model structure based on CA examples.

[wangrin]

Looking at variant parts for units, structure seems to be slightly different :


Model name is generally composed of item names, such as jin_Baori or Haidate, and sometime a suffix is added such as hand, arms, etc.
I think that using prefix is better to quickly understand what variant part model is (arms, head, hands, torso, shoulders, etc.).




So, when creating a model (equipment or unit part) :

CREATING A MODEL : BASE RULES

1. use the very same structure for layers and textures thant the one use by CA
2. unhide skeleton
3. take care that no vertex is unassigned to at least one bone and at maximum to two bones

Notes that several raw models look like corrupted (skeleton and meshes) :

[Andromachos]

Wow, Lots of progress made... I havent been on in a while. Its going to take me a while to sift through this. I really like the flow chart, that will be very helpful in simplifying workflow!!!

AWESOME!!!

[Demon Ulquiorra]

I'm interested in editing the textures/ colors of all the katana, yari, naginata into lightsaber blades. I have no experience modding at all. How would I achieve this?

[wangrin]

To edit textures, as long as you don't modify the model, you can simply use a graphic editor such as The Gimp, Photoshop or even Paint.Net.
This thread is mostly about modeling, eg. 3d modding.
Textures are part of 2D modding.

You can have a look here : Empire Mod Workshop > Textures, Models, Animations > Creating Unit Textures
You can also have a look to the scriptorium : [Modding] Photoshop Skinning Tutorials

I suppose several thread exist in NTW and here, in S2TW modding workshop, but it seems that search engine is broken.
I will send you link if I find some of them.