posted 11-13- 01:03 PM               

Can anyone tell me the procedure for how I go about importing and exporting from OPS to AC3D and vica versa.

I havent got a clue at the moment, I'm trying to remodel existing plane parts, wings e.t.c.

Wheres a good place for a beginner to start from with this?

posted 11-13- 02:10 PM               

You can look here to start:
http://www.schoolmusic.com/chickencoop/se5a/index.htm

And here is my basic overview:

Do one part at a time! This is my approach, but others feel it is better to do the entire plane at once. I have good luck doing it fast and with good results one part at a time. This will help you avoid issues with the import/export.

I start with a main part, like the fiselage. Then I do the inner/outer wing / flap / aileron parts. Next the tail, then landing gear, then cockpit, etc.

Lastly I do the low detail LODS, I just create new lowploy LODS right over the old high detail ones, easy.

So extract the aircraftwith hippie's SMD tool. Open up the htm doc and find out the LOD number of the part you want to edit. Now import that LOD into AC3D. Make your edits or delete it and create a new mesh. Now export the object as a LOD, naming it the same as you opened it as. Now use Hippie's OLC tool to rebuild the aircraft SM file. It will now have the new mesh you edited!

Use OPS to position the new part and update the parts properties. Also create new parts/LODS in OPS.

And do post questions here, we all love to help!

------------------
-Sv =FC=

WWI in SDOE!

posted 11-13- 02:39 PM               

The tutorials look like their going to be real useful.

Appreciate your help, I'm going to take a dive in to this am determined to understand how to do it.

All tips are most welcomed.

posted 11-13- 04:10 PM               

Seem to have hit a problem though.

From AC3D, clicked on import from the drop down menu, selected the lod.file I wanted to import,tried to open the file and nothing happened!!!

Received a message that said;
Sorry there is no geometry importer for lod.files.

Can anyone help?

Others wisdom is much needed.

posted 11-14- 03:39 AM               

While you are at it, get the OL tools from Hippies site too. This is how to do a plane in one go, as SV mentioned. It is just like Builder / Extractor, only extractor is SMD, and Builder is OLC.

When you run SMD you create your LODs as per Extractor, vbut you get a file with a .OL extension instead of the .ASC.

You can edit this exactly the same, but where it is useful is in the fact that you can import an .OL file into AC3D with the plugins, and it imports the whole model, all the LODs and positions them all in the right place.

What I usually do is to make the model in AC3D. Export the lods to a directory, import the base model OL file, swap my LODs over, and then export an OL file to re-build with SMC. The beauty of this method is that you don't need to centre each LOD and then position it in OPS. Everything comes out exactly where it was in AC3D!

Sometimes DOF's can get a bit screwy, so watch out for that!

If you've ever tried to line up fuselage sections in OPS you'll see the advantages in doing it this way!

SV's way is just as good, it's just a question of what you feel happiest with! I actually use both methods, especially on complex models like the B17, where I can build sections like the fuse or wings the OL way, but SV's way for all the detail stuff. The OL file for a B17 is ..... complicated!

BUT

posted 11-14- 05:19 AM               

From the drop down menu in AC3D there is no import options.

I now have Hippies plugins, they are in an ops folder called plugins. Are they in the correct place? Still no import options in AC3D.

I must be doing something wrong.

I've gotta get this!!!!

posted 11-14- 06:44 AM               

Get them out of there!

They need to be in a sub-diretory of AC3D called plug-ins. Move them there, and all should be well.

It's worth persevering with AC3D, since for SDOE those tools of Hippies make life so much easier. Also, though apps like 3D Max do far more, most of what they do can't be applied for SDOE. AC3D, on the other hand, is simpe to use, far less intimidating, and will produce excellent results!

Take a look at the screenshots I posted for the B17 upgrade, along with the new PBY Catalina. These are my most recent creations and are all done with AC3D.

Best of Luck!!!!

p.s.

The best way to learn AC3D is to go through SV's tutorials step by step, and follow exactly what he does. Then, search the forum for AC3D and look fro the little tricks of the trade. Then work with the bits that work best for you!

p.p.s

posted 11-14- 10:18 AM               

I am intersted in using Hippie's plugins like you do, I just have not tried it enough yet! If you do it that way, do the meshes still remain centered around their origins? What I mean is, if you build a plane that way, then inport just the wing LOD or aileron LOD, is is centered in AC3D? It is important for parts to remain centered as much as possible to avoid problems...

posted 11-14- 12:15 PM               

well....

There is one thing to watch out for!

The DOF migrates from DOF to properties, and this can sometime result in odd events! Worst for this are the wing spring dofs.

This is why I mix and match methods. With all the big bits in place, re-do the dof's so you can use the DOF part of OPS and then use your method for bits and pieces. Otherwise, if you have to do a re-build you screw the DOF's again.

Try it and see how you get on with it.

One real killer bonus is if you want to re-centre a model ( as in the He162 problem)

Move the whole thing in AC3D and when you re-export you amended OL file, the centre is where you want it. No awkward moving of LODS and lining up !!!!!

posted 11-14- 12:36 PM               

Are the LODS centered at their origins? That is my question. I think they might be, but I am not sure. To test, just re-import ONE of your LODS and see where it ends up in AC3D.

posted 11-14- 02:51 PM               

I did it.

Thanks all for the advice.

I now have Hippies plugins in the right place, thanks WT, all is well with AC3D.

I've started playing around with it, having a practice with importing and exporting lod's.

I noticed that after exporting a wing tip from AC3D back to it's sm.file, in ops it looked about three times the size it should have been.

Guess I need to play around some more.

I'll check out those tutorials and screenshots asap.

posted 11-14- 04:28 PM               

What I do know for sure, is that if you break down a plane, and re-build it without changes, it will fly as it did before. The only problem being the one I mentioned above, where you sometimes get problems with DOFs not doing what they should.