|
Author
|
Topic: LOD help again
|
Nat
Pilot
|
posted 09-23- 12:37 AM
   
Hey GuysOK, I've tried every suggested way of using OPS to add 2nd and 3rd level LODs, and all I get are CTD's as soon as I try to import a mesh to the new LOD... So..... Can someone explain in the simplest way possible just how to add a LOD using OL tools, please, this needs to be simple for me, I hate working in LODs and don't know much about them inside. Thanks guys ~Nat~ ------------------
7./JG3 "Naturlich"
"SDOE... What and where would you like to fly today?"
Nats FS-SDOE Site</B> IP: Logged |
wakeup tailgunner
Pilot
|
posted 09-23- 04:07 PM
Heres exactly what I did to the nose of my B17:1) copy a model into place in OPS to be replaced by the ultimate model. The click LOD tab, and right click. Select ADD LOD. It has no model yet 2) Run OL tools ...SMD 3) Import OL into AC3D 4) Select Heirarchy from the TOOLS menu and select the model by name 5) Import the model you want into the AC3D to replace the LOD. This works even if the LOD had no model attached to it. 6) Export OL 7) Run OL tools OLC and build the SM 8) Go into OPS again and sort out the switchin ranges.
I think the problem you are getting may be from trying to import LODs into OPS itself. I could never get that to work properly, so I gave up, registered AC3D (well, got my sister to do it for me as a reward for videoing her wedding!)and use Hippies tools. Max is a serious modelling tool, but with the plugins, AC3D has some very useful functions.
If you need help getting the models in, I'll be glad to lend a hand. If you have the models ready, get the SM prepped, and I'll get your models plugged in. IP: Logged |
Nat
Pilot
|
posted 09-23- 04:39 PM
Hey TG, I'd me more than grateful if you could help out, what I'm trying to do is simply this.. there are no 2nd or 3rd level LODs yet at all in the SM, I have the models about ready to put in, and so that I don't have to worry about texture mapping I want to creat the 2nd and 3rd level LODs from the 1st level (by just exporting the 1st level, and importing it into the 2nd and 3rd), once I know they are in there and working I can then simply import the lower detail models into the lower level LODs and the mapping should remain. Once the LODs are actually there I've no problem changing the model.Do you think that if I sent you the SM you could do that, or is it a "must" that the other models be put in straight away? Let me tell you it's been damn frustrating, I followed all the steps for doing this with OPS but only ever get CDT's. IP: Logged |
wakeup tailgunner
Pilot
|
posted 09-23- 06:12 PM
I could put exact duplicates of he top level lods inno problem. It's just a question of exporting the lod, then re-importing onto eachlower level LOD. You can replace them afterwards. No problem.Mail that baby over, and I'll get cracking! IP: Logged |
Nat
Pilot
|
posted 09-23- 07:16 PM
Very Cool  Thanks TG, thats all I need, be in your mail in 2 mins!IP: Logged |
Sv
Pilot
|
posted 09-25- 08:01 AM
So you only have 1 active LOD for each of these parts? This is simple, just chose to "add LOD" in OPS, now you will have a new lower level LOD that has a null mesh. When you extract the sm file using hippies tools there will be a number for that LOD with blank mesh. Just create the new LOD in your 3d program and export it as a LOD with that new number. Now rebuild, done! You can add all the low detail LODS in one OPS session, then create the new meshes step by step...------------------
-Sv =FC=
WWI in SDOE!
IP: Logged |
wakeup tailgunner
Pilot
|
posted 09-25- 09:32 AM
I think the problem Nat is having is with importing a file from Max into OPS. It kept crashing. I don't think it likes replacing a model with a null mesh.I suspect you do this part in AC3D as I do, and it works just fine. Doing the nose and tail bits for the B17 was a doddle with AC3D. I'll be spending a few hours on Nats A10 doing just that for him! IP: Logged |
jedi
Pilot
|
posted 09-25- 09:52 AM
OK, here's a "back door" method to do this, without using "Import LOD Mesh," a tool which sometimes just won't work it seems...Open the .sm in OPS. Select an object with multiple .lods that's similar to the object you want to add .lods to, i.e. if you're adding a canopy, select the existing canopy or the windscreen object. Edit--copy the object. Then edit--paste the object as a child of whatever part it's supposed to be attached to. In the canopy case, you now have, say, two windscreens and no canopy part, BUT, the second windscreen DOES have the same 3 .lods as the first one. Now use smd to break the .sm into its parts. Then use your 3D program to build the new canopy parts. Then REPLACE the .lods for the second windscreen with the new .lods for the canopy object in the list of parts with your new parts, numbered the same as the old parts. Now use olc to rebuild the .sm. Open it again in OPS. You should have a canopy object, consisting of 3 .lods, where before you had two windscreens. Now just position everything in OPS, set the proper switchin distances, and you're good to go I don't do much .lod import in OPS anymore. Another thing you can do is to find a part on another airplane that looks like what you want. Edit-copy, and Edit-paste the part into your plane. Now you might have two left wings, for example. Delete the old wing, and rename your new wing's parts with the old names. The new wing brings all its .lods with it. Then use smd/olc and your 3D program to reshape the new wing .lods to the proper shape. I almost never build a piece from scratch. Some plane somewhere has the part I need, already built, with the correct number of .lods. I may have to retexture, of course. Sort of the "Frankenplane" approach 
------------------
--jedi-- IP: Logged | |
FSIC Messageboard
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
