Dearest James...

#1 The DTS shapes in StarSiege were created in 3DStudio Max. I think we were using version 2 at the time.

Interiors were made with an in-house brush editor called ZED.

#2 I've been using 3DS Max 4 lately, and I haven't found any hint of any way to create .dts files, or any way of editing them. Was a plug-in used for this file type, or was it a compatible file type only in 2?

And thanks. :)

#3 There is a max2dts exporter with Torque. Not sure what they used then, but that's what's used now.

#4 3DS Max 4 won't recognize the .dts file extension, so I assume a plug-in was used (one that obviously doesn't exist anymore.)

Basically, the remaining Starsiege fans have been looking for a way to alter or create new shapes for Starsiege for years. And defeated we are once more. :-/

#5 There is no .dts importer. Everything .dts was exported from another file format--in starsiege's case, 3DsMax4 (according to Joe's post, earlier).

So, if you were hoping to user parts of original starsiege files, you're out of luck. But, there are exporters here for 3dsmax4&5 (same), Lightwave, and MilkShape, if you are going to make new files.

All that info aside, you may find they changed the .dts format and it all be a moot point anyway.

It seems like I had seen an exporter last year for .dts that was not for T2... for Red Fokker, maybe? At any rate, it exported an older version of .dts, I believe. At least, I couldn't put any shapes created by it into T2.

Good luck!

Eric

#6 Well, creating new shapes was the original intent, not just editing them. I couldn't find a way to export .max files to .dts format, or any format to .dts for that matter. Legend tells that a long-lost plugin was used for this purpose, which has been scattered into the winds of time. In any case, if anyone can figure out how to use 3D Studio Max 4 to export to .DTS format for use in such an old game, please... go for it and let me know. ;)

#7 Tribe used the DTS file format also

#8 this is really a question for joe.... he's probably the only one who would know if they changed the .dts file format... if he says they didnt then it will be easy as crap to make new .dts files... I just did it this afternoon, theres a plugin for max and milkshape that you can get here at garagegames that will do it, and a ton of tutorials on how to set your shapes up for export to .dts format

#9 Linkage? I'll be looking for it here in the meantime.

#10 Nothing can open DTS files for editing. They are the exported versions of the file that originated in 3DSMax.

In regards to the MAX2DTS exporter..

We never really went to a new version, but we changed the way everything was done one step at a time.

The shapes for Tribes/Starsiege are much different in regards to what was done for setup..

I have no idea if it is even possible to export a new shape into the old game. It might be possible, but I could not tell you for certain whether it would work or not.

I doubt that it would.

If anyone can find the 'old' exporter that was released with the original Tribes 1 mod pack (or whatever they called it) and get a version of max 2 or 2.5 running, they could do it.

If someone wanted to take this on(either going retro or trying to export from the new exporter to SS), I would be willing to do what I could to help, including giving screenshots of the schematic views of the shapes, and maybe making a mockup shape to show how it was all setup.

It is cool to see many old SS players here. I am wondering if any remember me from the ATR days. I was "King of Spice-HMK" , but later changed to "Flower" of the infamous FOTG (Friends of the Garden).

So here is a question. Why not just make a Starsige-like game with the Torque?

#11 Well, there's the risk of being sued if we take it too far for one. :D Another is that not many SS folk have modeling skills. I just now started to try to figure out HOW to use the program yesterday.

HMK's members abandoned ship after a political fiasco after ATR2 I believe. I think they started NHMK, while the people that caused the split remained in HMK. Many members are still on the forums, but not many play, if any. A lot of the people from the ATR1-2 days don't play, but support the game a lot. We have a very dedicated fan base yet even still, although a lot of the industry thinks illy of us for various reasons. Some members have put thousands of dollars into trying to get SS2 onto the market, especially after its being on the top of the most expected release so long ago.

If I knew how to, I would definitely go after a Torque "SS2-type." Unfortunately, like most of the forumites, I'm more of a supporter than an engineer. Drop by and say hello though. Some may remember you: http://community.sierra.com/WebX?13@43.vrZqaP0ctzp^1@.ee6b587

I'm very sure I can find Max 2, but the T1 converter I'm not sure about. It's out there somewhere, I'm sure. I've seen a few remarks about it in my search, but never an actual file.

#12 Okay, news update for all you Starsiege Vets. We -can- create new objects for SS, using the T1 Tool Pack and 3DS Max 2.5.

3DS Max doesn't come in a demo, so you'd have to get the full version. The Tribes MAX2DTS exporter tools can be find within the mod pack, which can be found here: http://tribes.dotnet.lv/files/?do=dl&id=6

S-110 (a SS scripter), from my understanding, successfully exported the sample model that came with the exporter today. The only problem we're having is creating entirely new models from scratch.

#13 Eli,

Send me an email so that I can help y'all out by trying to outline what is required to set up a HERC.

Joe

#14 Done.

Thanks for all of your help, everyone. This is greatly appreciated, even if nothing amazing comes from it.

#15 Eli, I don't want to throw a monkeywrench into your plans but you can't legally get Max R2.x anymore :(

Logan

#16 Some of our scripters have had it for a long time, so they can use the information. Thanks for your concern though. :)

#17 If you guys are really that interested in T1/SS models, you should try to contact PhantomStranger.

I think his site is still hosted by planettribes. I've talked to him a few times although I doubt he remembers me, he's a pretty cool guy.

*Edit: Link!

Clicky

#18 I need a plugin to view the toolbar?

#19 You don't have the flash plugin? Odd.

Here

I think that will work.