Modelling tools

[Guest fu3]

Feres asked:"Jon, you create models and planes on your own, which 3d modeling software do you use?"Many regulars know my preferences here, but I'll point them out again, as the previous threads have disappeared into oblivion over time!For creating 3D models for aircraft and scenery, I use "Anim8or". It is available free from:http://anim8or.com/main/index.html* Anim8or can output 3DS files, just what FU3 needs (after conversion). For textures, most times I use CorelDraw for the original images, using imported textures where necessary. * Output is initially 24-bit bitmaps at 1024x1024. * Final edits in Corel Photopaint (ala PhotoShop, PSP, Gimp etc) and resize to 256x256. * Palette processing done in Photopaint for FLED models, and in "i.Mage" for aircraft models. This is because, although Corel does a great job with palettising, for aircraft, you create your own palettes and i.Mage does a great job of this, as does PSP7. Corel palettes are not compatible with FU3.i.Mage can be found free from:http://www.memecode.com/image.phpApart from the above programs, you need a few more utilities to finish things off. To convert 3DS files into compressed binaries (BIN files), you need 2 steps; 1. "N3DS2E.EXE" will convert your 3DS file to an editable textfile form, called an "E" file. This can be edited in Notepad etc, to alter texture names etc.2. "BSP.EXE" will convert your Efile to a compressed binary BIN file. This requires lots of switches and settings to work but I can help with that.These files are available in a few places, but I reposted them here:http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=29262>> BIN files can be copied into your regionsxxxxgen folder and will be available in FLED. If they use MIP textures, they too must be included or FU3 and FLED will crash.>> BIN files for aircraft will need "Resviewer" to import them into the aircraft file. See below.To convert textures for FLED models, first save them in GIF format, using the region palette (Seattle or Sanfran). Then use "Fixmip" to create the MIP files needed by FU3. Fixmip is here:http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=33994To convert textures for aircraft, you need to first create a palette from your images, then save the palette (PSP format only - use iMage or PSP to generate) and use this palette to convert your images to 8-bit bitmaps.To use textures in aircraft, you will need "Resviewer" to import the textures and palette into the aircraft file. For the textures to be displayed correctly, you must have configured them beforehand in the BIN file conversion using BSP.EXE (remember I mentioned switches and settings?).Resviewer is here:http://www.geocities.com/alive.geo/ResViewer.zipand the 1.32 upgrade is here:http://www.geocities.com/alive.geo/ResViewer_upgrade.zipSearch Avsim (or the links given) for the aforementioned programs. Corel etc is pretty serious and costs real money - you may seek other alternatives. There is a lot more to this, but this much will get you started. Pick a simple project and when you need to know something, post a question here. There are plenty of folk here who are happy to help, so don't be afraid to ask lots of questions ;)Regards,Jon Point

[Guest fu3]

Feres??I hope that all made sense?:-waveRegards,Jon Point