Tutorial

Zyvorg

Are there any tutorials specificly for making evn ship graphics?

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Kestrel rocks!

Insomniac

Quote

Originally posted by Zyvorg:
**Are there any tutorials specificly for making evn ship graphics?

**

Do you mean making rleDs and such, or the actual modeling of the ship?

There is a file on the EVN addons page called AddShips, it might be useful.

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mca062

I have the same question. I am wondering both which program to use to make ships and subsequently how to put them into Nova. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

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Lindley

As someone who had virtually no 3D experience a month ago, I've found Cinema 4D to be fairly easy to use, particularly if you download some of the online tutorials.

The downside is that the demo doesn't let you save.

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orcaloverbri9

First, you need to model your ship in a 3D modelling program. Now, if you can shell out LOTS of money, go for Maya or some other expensive, really good program. Use student discounts if you are still in school (this includes college), as they seriously cut down on the cost.

If you can afford something good, but not totally super-aweome, Lightwave and StrataPro are decent if I recall correctly.

If you can only spend a little money, you're on your own.

If you can't spend a thing, and have a Mac, go for Strata 3.0.2. If you have a PC, you're stuck with 3.5, which isn't as good as 3.0.2, but is free. Other options are Blender, which is very good, but has the most godawful interface, or Wings 3D, which cannot render.

Your choice. I don't know how much Cinema 4D is, but I hear it's quite good.

As for the RLEs, there are tons of explanations if you do a search.

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The programmer's code of entomology: there's always another bug.
Windows users: stop asking for plugins. (url="http://"http://www.aznt.com/EVN/EVNEW/")Make one yourself.(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.cwssoftware.com")Sephil Saga Website(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.evula.org/infernostudios/search.html")Add-ons Search Engine(/url)

mca062

Oh I have Strata 3D and am trying to use it. The models aren't too much of a problem but I can't seem to import new 2D textures and keep them 2D. Any suggetions?

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Azdara

I'm a strata/strata pro user (depending on where I am at one time or another), and I can confidently say that lightwave is better. It's also cheaper under student discount. I'm putting away the cash to buy it, but beer keeps preventing me from doing so.

As for your texture question, I have no idea what you're talking about mca062. Explain to me exactly what you mean, and what you're doing right now. Texturing can be hard in strata, it has no UV unwrapping, in either version.

But there are ways to get around such obstacles.

So, explain.

~A~

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"How can I make it go faster?" -Me-

what_is_the_matrix

Quote

Originally posted by orcaloverbri9:
**First, you need to model your ship in a 3D modelling program. Now, if you can shell out LOTS of money, go for Maya or some other expensive, really good program. Use student discounts if you are still in school (this includes college), as they seriously cut down on the cost.

If you can afford something good, but not totally super-aweome, Lightwave and StrataPro are decent if I recall correctly.
**

Maya is expensive, but it isn't nearly as good a polygon modeller as Lightwave. In any rate, simply buying an expensive program won't make you a good modeller. You won't simply be able to make the next EVN or the next Toy Story on your first try. Becoming a good modeller takes practice, perserverance, and lots of criticism.

Matrix

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mca062

Quote

Originally posted by Azdara:
**I'm a strata/strata pro user (depending on where I am at one time or another), and I can confidently say that lightwave is better. It's also cheaper under student discount. I'm putting away the cash to buy it, but beer keeps preventing me from doing so.

As for your texture question, I have no idea what you're talking about mca062. Explain to me exactly what you mean, and what you're doing right now. Texturing can be hard in strata, it has no UV unwrapping, in either version.

But there are ways to get around such obstacles.

So, explain.

Basically I have a model made in strata pro, but I am trying to get textures onto the object that I cuerrently have stored in .jpg, .bmp format etc. I can't figure out how to apply thses textures onto my model, weather that be by importing them into the texture library or any other means. My buddy has Maya and Lightwave, think I will go try them out. That way, I can still buy beer!
~A~

**

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mca062

Oops, screwed up the quote on that last one. Basically I have a model made in strata pro, but I am trying to get textures onto the object that I cuerrently have stored in .jpg, .bmp format etc. I can't figure out how to apply thses textures onto my model, weather that be by importing them into the texture library or any other means. My buddy has Maya and Lightwave, think I will go try them out. That way, I can still buy beer!

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mca062

ok, finally figured it out, but does anyone know how to convert 3d max files or any other non strata meshes to show in strata?

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orcaloverbri9

Quote

Originally posted by mca062:
ok, finally figured it out, but does anyone know how to convert 3d max files or any other non strata meshes to show in strata?

3DS Max files can be opened by Strata (3.0.2 and Pro, at any rate). However, unless different verisons of Strata handle things differently, you will lose any textures applied. Choose "Open As..." from the File menu, and you will find a list of readable formats.

Azdara: Your point? I was merely listing modellers, not telling what's better than others.

matrix: I agree. Any 3D modeller has a high learning curb. Once again, what does this have to do with what I said?

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The programmer's code of entomology: there's always another bug.
Windows users: stop asking for plugins. (url="http://"http://www.aznt.com/EVN/EVNEW/")Make one yourself.(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.cwssoftware.com")Sephil Saga Website(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.evula.org/infernostudios/search.html")Add-ons Search Engine(/url)

Dr. Trowel

Quote

Originally posted by orcaloverbri9:
**3DS Max files can be opened by Strata (3.0.2 and Pro, at any rate).
**

At least on my Mac, Strata 3D 3.0.2 opens ".3ds" files but not ".max" files, which are more recent. If there's a way to do the latter without buying additional programs, I'm all ears.

mca062, Strata 3.0.2 can also import .dxf (Autocad) files, which are pretty common. On a Mac, you can also import 3DMF (aka QT3D = QuickTime 3D) files, sometimes complete with textures. Newer Strata versions that are running as native apps in OS X can only do 3DMF if you install the freeware "Quesa" libraries.

mca062

Hmmm, when I open 3ds files I also loose all textures. Any ideas?

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chronodrago

@dr--trowel, on Feb 28 2004, 11:37 AM, said in Tutorial:

At least on my Mac, Strata 3D 3.0.2 opens ".3ds" files but not ".max" files, which are more recent. If there's a way to do the latter without buying additional programs, I'm all ears.

Oh thats simple, but only if you have the 3ds max program. When in 3ds max, saving will get you the .max file, while going a bit further down the file menu you will find the import and export buttons.
Import - Merges/imports a .3ds file into your window.
Export - exports/sends out the .max file( or whatever that u are editing right then) to a .3ds file.

BTW: If anyone needs 3ds max 7 for PC, I am willing to trade it for strata 3d for PC(any version wil do, but i would prefer a newer one). Although i still have to check with my dad. <_< A few more years and i wont have to check anymore.

dr neverhood

...Why did you dig up this old topic? Note that the last post date was Feb 28, 2004.

chronodrago

lol, ya i didnt knowtice untill after i replied. I was searching on google and this came up. woops :laugh:

WonderBoy

Hey, don't complain, and you don't appoligise. Most people on the boards are complaing about people not using the search functions(I would suggest using the ones on the forum to google, if you are gona reply on Ambrosia's forums that is). This is solid proof that he did. What annoys me more than newbs making a new topic on something that has been disscussed before, is people getting angry/annoyed/irritated at people when they do

chronodrago

lol, for some reason the search forum thingy on this website isnt as good as google, i mean it has a hard time finding things, but anyways...this topic would be helpful to most windows users.

PS: The offer still stands for my 3ds max 7.

This post has been edited by chronodrago : 11 July 2006 - 04:46 PM