Can I use any 3D models with TGE? (another pre-sales question)

#1 TGE can't import any 3d formats directly (okay there is a resource to use .3ds directly), but there are converters to .dts for almost every 3d program out there. 3DSMax, Maya, Lightwave, Blender, and Milkshape all have a solid degree of support. Any 3d models you get that aren't setup for Torque will have to be setup to be properly exported to .dts. For simple meshes this won't be a problem, characters setup for things other than TGE may be difficult though. And yes, .dts stores the mesh data + collison info/animation/etc., where the texture/skin is just held as a .jpg or .png graphic.

You don't need to own the engine to use the exporters, so you can look into how to do this with just the demo.

#2 Can you point me in the right direction of these converters?

#3 Well that depends on the model application that you are using. Their is a .dts exporter for most of the major modeling applications. www.alexswanson.com/torque/dts/

#4 The exporters require that you have the actual 3d program, right?

Do any standalone converters exist?

Also, can't most 3d packages load other graphic formats? For example, since the most complete exporter support seems to be for 3ds Max, can't I just load anything into 3ds Max and then export it into DTS? (it seems like that would be the best way to go)

However, a standalone converter would still seem much cleaner and cheaper :)

#5 There are a lot of quirks in the concept of "3D models". Different programs produce geometry differently and often in ways which are incompatable with exporters (which take a certain subset of "legal" geometry and convert it to a format which the engine can load; in the case of TGE, a dts model). Sometimes models are extremely high-poly and meant for procedural rendering rather than real-time use.

Personally, while you're getting your feet wet, I would point you towards Blender (free modeling package with exporter). The more you get in and get your hands dirty, the more you will understand.

#6 There are tons of standalone convertors, but as David said, blender is free and so is MilkShape.

#7 Milkshape is not free...it costs around $20. One of the best features is the amount of different file formats it allows to import and export. Another program that is very useful is Ultimate Unwrap3D. It is around the same price of Milkshape.

#8 $20 for Milkshape is not bad, but will I have to do anything special to convert models to .DTS?

For example, in Blender I need to create "empty" objects named "Shape" and "Detail32" and then link up nodes together. On top of that I need to create a collision mesh and export the texture seperately.

Does Milkshape make all of this easier?

#9 In most all the 3d applications I know of, you need to place all your nodes and bounds manually.

Personally, I would reccommend 3ds Max for modelling, but only if you're serious about it. ($3,500)

Some exporters (3ds max) have macro buttons which create all your nodes and bounds for you. (although you need to move them around)

In my opinion, the torque art pipeline from mind to game is not very great. It requires the use of lots of third party exporters which arent guarenteed to work all the time. I know there is a free program out there called "shaper" which (IIRC) saves natively to DTS.

www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=9489

This is probably the best choice for someone who wants something to toy around with, and doesn't want to shell out thousands for a program.

-Griff

#10 Milkshape used to be free. Still 20 bucks isn't a bad deal.

#11 Milkshape has never been free. I started using it when it launched shortly after Half-Life and it was not free then.

#12 It always had a demo. And then people cracked it.

While I find it interesting that someone felt the need (and still does) to crack an inexpensive piece of software...it also shows that it is a useful program because people actually feel the need to save an extremely minimal amount of money.

#13 After using 3ds 6 and now 3ds 8
i dont think i could use milkshape
and be happy

here's the trick to low cost 3ds

23 years ago I had my first child (actually wife did the hard part)

then i taught him machine code at an early age
kept a computer in house throughout his upbringing
got him hooked on RPG games

after he graduated from high school sent him to
college where he learned C++ HTML Perl etc

while in his 2yr program he brought home a school copy
of 3ds max 6 (um not a bad price)

after he graduated (validictorian) convinced him
to go get a bachelors in 3d game project leader (MAJOR)
this year (2 semesters left) he comes home with 3ds max 8
also a school issued copy for his assignments

so actually it only cost about $385,000 to get the free copy for use

a real savings eh?

#14 Hi all,

IMO, Blender seems to be the best choice (no cost at all)
and it has free convertor for Torque.

Sammy
:)