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Author
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Topic: Questions from a true beginner
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Robert
Pilot
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posted 02-01- 02:31 PM
   
Hi everyone!Could someone please help me with these questions? 1.Is OpenPlaneStudio (which I have downloaded and installed) used for actually making 3d-models of aircrafts or do you do the models in some other program?(and use OPS for something else?) 1b.If so, what program? I have 3dstudiomax as well as Maya. Can I use them? 2.In the help files for OPS, "Quick start", it says that I should copy "typh.sm" that is supposed to be somewhere in a folder called "aircraft". I may be blind, but there is no folder called "aircraft" anywhwere in my SDOE-installation. What is wrong? (the only .sm files I can find and watch in OPS are the ones for the Bf109 and the He100 that I have downloaded.) If someone please could answer these questions, or tell me where I can find the answers, please do so. I understand that these questions may sound very trivial, but I am really a true beginner and would be very greatful if someone took time and answered them. Regards/Robert IP: Logged |
DanW
Pilot
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posted 02-01- 02:41 PM
All of the .sm files are locked up in the .par files which are in your media directory. Go to openplane.org and get the parfile tools. In those tools you will find a program called Bigmunger. You can use this program to extract the .sm files out of the .par files. Be warned it takes a few hundred megs of diskspace. Once you extract the stuff from the par files you will see a bunch of folders..aircraft, terrain..etc. Inside there you will find folders for each aircraft...inside the folders are .sm files.You use OPS for view and modifying the .sm files. You dont actually construct the models per se, but you build the finished .sm files in OPS. IP: Logged |
Robert
Pilot
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posted 02-01- 03:55 PM
Thanks DanW!That really clears things up a bit!
Still though, how are the actual 3D-models made, is it with programs like 3dStudioMax, Maya or something else? These are the 3D programs I have and have to some extent used. Thanks again for the help and sorry if I ask too much! /Robert IP: Logged |
JT
Pilot
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posted 02-01- 04:10 PM
There are a few of us using 3ds Max. What you need to do is export your models from Max to .OBJ format using the Max2Obj plugin. Once you have an .OBJ file, you can import that into OP Studio.IP: Logged |
Robert
Pilot
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posted 02-01- 04:29 PM
Thanks alot JT!So it converts .max files to .OBJ files?
Where do I find/download this plug-in? /Robert IP: Logged |
JT
Pilot
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posted 02-01- 06:44 PM
Max2Obj exports your Max scene to .obj format. Make sure you get Obj2Max also, so you can import stuff in. By the way, the polygonal output in Max2Obj does not function yet. You will have to export either as triangles or quads. Since Max only sees triangles, you will have to tell Max2Obj which triangles to combine into quads by hiding edges. Let me know if you need to know how to do that...For Max 1.x...
http://www.habware.at/duck.htm For Max 2.x...
http://www.habware.at/duck2.htm For Max 3.x...
http://www.habware.at/duck2.htm
[This message has been edited by JT (edited 02-01-2000).] IP: Logged |
Robert
Pilot
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posted 02-02- 01:30 AM
Thank you JT!Perhaps I can get things going now. Seems I have a lot to learn, so it feels good to know that someone takes time to answer all my questions. /Robert IP: Logged |
Sv
Pilot
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posted 02-02- 05:45 AM
You can also use AC3D ($40 to register) to do the 3D work, there are a bunch of us doing that as well. Here is my website that documents step by step how to use these tools to create an aircraft:
http://www.schoolmusic.com/chickencoop/se5a/index.htm It also links to all the tools you need, etc. Do post all the questions you need to  ------------------
-Sv =FC=
WWI in SDOE!
IP: Logged |
Robert
Pilot
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posted 02-02- 07:05 AM
I have managed to Unbig the data.par files so I can watch the .sm files in OPS. I have also tried to follow the Helpfiles that came with OPS and have successfully placed the Lancīs turret on the Typhoon(wow!).What I canīt do is making the new Defiant selectable in the mission editor.
When I "unbigged" the .par files I put them in a new folder, I guess I must put them back (after I have created the new Defiant) where they came from (the Media folder in SDOE) using the Bigmunger Builder(?).Or?thanks for all the help/Robert PS.Sv, I will check your site,thanks for the advice. IP: Logged |
JT
Pilot
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posted 02-02- 10:08 AM
Robert,
I goofed one of the links up there...Plugins for Max 3.x are here...
http://www.habware.at/duck3.htm IP: Logged |
Robert
Pilot
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posted 02-02- 12:38 PM
JT!I only have 2.5 so itīs ok.Thanks anyway.
By the way, where shall I put the max2obj and obj2max files. In the Studiomax plugin configuration directory or? /Robert IP: Logged |
JT
Pilot
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posted 02-02- 12:52 PM
No, put them in the Plugins folder. Do not put them in the Plugcfg folder or the Stdplugs folder.By the way, when you import SDOE plane parts exported from OP Studio into Max using OBJ2MAX, make sure the vertex scale is 1.0 in the OBJ2MAX import dialogue.
Also, in preferences under System Unit Scale, set 1 unit = 1 foot [This message has been edited by JT (edited 02-02-2000).] IP: Logged |
Robert
Pilot
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posted 02-02- 05:29 PM
OK JT!I put the files in the Plugins folder.But Iīm still puzzled. Could you please explain step by step how I should use these files to ; 1.Export from OPS 2.Import to Max Please be patient, all this is very new to me. /Robert IP: Logged |
JT
Pilot
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posted 02-03- 08:37 AM
The Max2Obj and Obj2Max plugins simply allow export and import to .obj format... which is also a format OP Studio can export and import. There are some considerations, but it's probably best if you learn those as you go.... they won't mean much now.
I'd say the best thing you can do now is get familiar with OP Studio and how the planes in SDOE are built. Try opening an aircraft .sm file in OP Studio. Once you're comfortable with that, try exporting a few parts out of OP Studio and try to import them into Max. I learned a lot just by looking at the planes in OP Studio and in Max. IP: Logged |
Robert
Pilot
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posted 02-05- 04:00 AM
OKThanks JT, Iīll try that. /Robert IP: Logged |
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