What 3D program are you using ?

[Nikolaus]

I'd like to try to make a battleship from scratch, and i have some ideas... or at least I could try. I have a bit of experience with 3D SMax and i guess i could learn pretty fast some other program.

What do you guys use to make the shapes for your custom ships?

[yurineova]

Milkshape 3D is a ok 3D modeler, with many plugins to convert to CMP formats and MAT formats for ships. GMax would be a good way to start your model, then export it to something like Quake III so you can import it to MS3D to finish up modeling and texturing.

Drizzts 3D ship guide is an awesome reasource. Heres link: http://www.lancersreactor.com/t/forum/topi...amp;forum_id=29

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signature goes here once its done!

[Commodore]

I use wings 3d, its a REALLY good modeler, its very easy to texture, and easy to learn.

[Nikolaus]

what's the poly count for the average battleship ?

i started with 3DSM, and yes, I have forgotten almost everything, but it's comming back slowly. However, keeping a low poly count is hard as hell.

[Tortured_Soul]

Get a copy of 3DS Max and use that instead of MS3D. I started with Milkshape, I found it exceptionally easy to use as a new modeller, but ultimately, 3DS Max allows you much greater control over what your ship looks like and removes a lot of the hassle.

But that's just my tu'pence worth, go with what you feel comfortable with.

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Initial Biography ; Running Story

[Nikolaus]

Yeap, i'm using 3d Studio Max 6, and i have remembered most simple mesh-poly operations.

Can anyone who made a ship for FL give me an approximate poly count?
I'm somewhat half way of making a great Heavy Fighter but i'm afraid my poly count is gigantic.


Oh yeah, and i have a quick Max question.

Let's say i create a cube, that has a lot of poly (vertices) per face.
I modify most faces of the cube, but one, remains untouched - straight and planar. STILL that face has a lot of polygons that are somewhat useless to render in game, since that particular face is straight.

How can i join all the polygons on that face to only one?
I am as sure as hell there was a way, but i forgot. Last time i worked with Max, it was Max4, and many years ago.

Thanx.

[Tortured_Soul]

Weld is the command I think you're looking for.

Ship writing tutorail:
http://www.lancersreactor.com/t/forum/topi...alse&S=True

Poly Limit Guide:
http://www.lancersreactor.com/t/forum/topi...alse&S=True

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Initial Biography ; Running Story