Exporting Static Meshes? Invisible DIF?
by Spencer Boomhower · in Artist Corner · 12/12/2006 (12:00 pm) · 5 replies
Hello!
Thanks to David Wyand for pointing me to this forum. I knew there had to be a Constructor forum, but I had the worst time finding it (didn't help that I forgot to check my forum subscriptions :).
I have one thing I want to do with Constructor, above all else: I'd like to import a DTS static mesh, and then use Constructor to create DIF geometry for use as the DTS's collision. This means I'll need to be able to mark the DIF brushes as invisible, and of course I'll also need to be able to export the static mesh and the DIF brushes as one package.
It already looks like the DTS import/export is on its way. However, while I was able to import a DTS OK, I wasn't able to export it.
Also, I have no clue how to mark DIF brushes as invisible. If I could do that, it would be a start. At the very least I could load the invisible DIF into my level and place it overlapping the corresponding (and collision-free) DTS in the level.
One specific situation illustrates where I'm coming from: I'm trying to create an Airstream trailer, one of those streamlined, stainless steel dealies. That's a form that's all gentle curves on every axis, and one that strikes me as difficult to build in Constructor. Also, if I built it in Constructor, I'd be creating more collision checks than is necessary. I know DIF collision is efficient, but I really don't need every polygon that I'm using to visually describe a gentle curve also be checking for collision. I also want to be able to go inside this trailer, so you can see how the collision surfaces would really add up, and how this would be inefficient using DTS collision.
I spoke to Matt about this very thing at IGC '05, and he said it would be possible, sometime in the future.
So my question is: is it possible yet? It seems likely, and I'm just missing something.
I really feel like this technique - while not exactly what Constructor was meant to do - would be a real boon to Torque art. DIF collision is great, but I far prefer the look of DTS.
Any help would be hugely, massively appreciated.
Thanks to David Wyand for pointing me to this forum. I knew there had to be a Constructor forum, but I had the worst time finding it (didn't help that I forgot to check my forum subscriptions :).
I have one thing I want to do with Constructor, above all else: I'd like to import a DTS static mesh, and then use Constructor to create DIF geometry for use as the DTS's collision. This means I'll need to be able to mark the DIF brushes as invisible, and of course I'll also need to be able to export the static mesh and the DIF brushes as one package.
It already looks like the DTS import/export is on its way. However, while I was able to import a DTS OK, I wasn't able to export it.
Also, I have no clue how to mark DIF brushes as invisible. If I could do that, it would be a start. At the very least I could load the invisible DIF into my level and place it overlapping the corresponding (and collision-free) DTS in the level.
One specific situation illustrates where I'm coming from: I'm trying to create an Airstream trailer, one of those streamlined, stainless steel dealies. That's a form that's all gentle curves on every axis, and one that strikes me as difficult to build in Constructor. Also, if I built it in Constructor, I'd be creating more collision checks than is necessary. I know DIF collision is efficient, but I really don't need every polygon that I'm using to visually describe a gentle curve also be checking for collision. I also want to be able to go inside this trailer, so you can see how the collision surfaces would really add up, and how this would be inefficient using DTS collision.
I spoke to Matt about this very thing at IGC '05, and he said it would be possible, sometime in the future.
So my question is: is it possible yet? It seems likely, and I'm just missing something.
I really feel like this technique - while not exactly what Constructor was meant to do - would be a real boon to Torque art. DIF collision is great, but I far prefer the look of DTS.
Any help would be hugely, massively appreciated.
#3
DTS exporting is on its way but I don't have a firm date for it.
01/04/2007 (1:47 pm)
To make a brush invisible you just texture it with the NULL texture.DTS exporting is on its way but I don't have a firm date for it.
#4
01/04/2007 (3:09 pm)
Good to see it is it is still in the works.. look forward to testing it..
#5
This will probably get me by for now. I can import a DTS and use it for reference, and then just export an invisible DIF to use as collision. I'll just line them up in the level editor.
01/04/2007 (7:12 pm)
Thanks, Matt! I knew it had to be something pretty straightforward, I just don't know my way around this kind of program. If it was right there all obvious in the docs, then consider my face red.This will probably get me by for now. I can import a DTS and use it for reference, and then just export an invisible DIF to use as collision. I'll just line them up in the level editor.
Employee Michael Perry
ZombieShortbus
Most of my buildings are relatively simple to recreate by generating boxes and then slicing/clipping then to fit the shape. However, I don't have the experience or "artistic hand" to duplicate more complex geometry such as curves and domes. It would be nice to create a column, then import a "spire.dts" to place on top and export the whole piece.
I agree, anyone who can contribute to a solution would be greatly appreciated!!! =)