Wireframes for models...

[Doom]

Time to finally add this here....

This is mini HOWTO on making wireframes. I am assuming that everybody have sufficient knowledge of modeling in Milkshape and working with command based programs.

Lets start.

Example is based on GallicVHF.cmp and GallicVHF_wire.cmp.
Based on your model of the ship you need to make low poly copy of it. Entire model must consist of one group best named "MyShip_wire".
Export your new wireframe model using same set up in CMP exporter that you used for your ship.
Easiest way is to copy both ship and wireframe cmp files, make_wire application and UTF editor to root folder of your account (C:\Documents and Settings\User). This will save a lot of typing.

Once everything is copied and ready, using UTF editor open my ship wireframe.
There will be CMP file tree like this:


Choose VMeshData and export it as vmeshdata.dat in same folder where make_wire application is.
Close UTF editor.
Open Command Prompt and type following: make_wire vmeshdata.dat GallicVHF_wire.lod0.vms vwiredata.dat.
In this example GallicVHF_wire.lod0.vms is name of the first node in your wire cmp file and it will be used later in adding wireframe to the model.


Press enter. You should get result like this:


By this process new file was created called vwiredata.dat and vmeshdata.dat was slightly changed.
Using UTF editor open model of your ship (ex. GallicVHF.cmp).

You need to create one new nodes in VMeshLibrary like image shows:



Notice that newly created node is named as first node of the wireframe cmp file.
Create one subnode and name it VMeshData (case sensitive). To that node import vmeshdata.dat

Second step is to create new node in MyShip.3db (ex. GallicVFH.3db) called VMeshWire (case sensitive) and its subnode named VWireData (case sensitive). To that node import vwiredata.dat and save your cmp file.


Next step is to test wireframe in game. If all is done right wireframe will work.

Attached Files

  make_wire.zip (Size: 34.84 KB / Downloads: 73)

[Doom]

Side note....wireframe must have very low poly count...they are important for weapon and station models...ships can do without one, but it is good for ship to have it....and it is closer to vanilla model as we can make it....

Also...this technique makes wireframes from polys and vertices, while vanilla wireframe isnt even a mesh...in Treewyrms words they are: a collection of pairs of vertices