I moved 600km last week to a new city. It is going to take me a month or so till I am back in a position to dedicate time to gaming. But, when I get my gamin lair set back up again, I will send you a PM and see if there is anything I can help you out with.
Swallow's Hitboxing Tutorial:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dQJx7v9...e=youtu.be
^Important Note^: You can use WHICHEVER 3d software you want for splitting the model, but after that, you need to convex it and export the OBJ with Milkshape. This produces a 99% chance to get a working, proper hitbox. Here are the steps:
1.) Open model in Milkshape; (If you want to split it in another 3d program, go ahead and do it. If model was CMP, it needs to be converted to OBJ first, before you can open it in your own 3d program);
2.) Start splitting the overhanging things and anything that protrudes (if big enough that is) from the general shape.
3.) Make sure you don't go overboard on the number of split groups;
4.) After everything is split, start CONVEXING it, by using the Tools->Convex and clicking OK on every single item (its literally that easy).
5.) You end up with a new group after each convex operation, so delete the previous non-convex one.
6.) When everything is convex, export to OBJ and fire up OBJ-To-SUR Converter;
7.) Untick everything (leave all options blank) for models that DONT have moving parts (most dont, only me and Justin make models with animations);
8.) Press GO and the SUR file is created.
9.) Final step - open the SUR file with Milkshape (it has a SUR importer) and check the groups list - you should have all the previous groups + ONE extra for the shield bubble. If that is the case - SUCCESS.
* If you wind up with MORE groups than X + 1 (x being the number of groups you made previously), then SOMETHING WENT WRONG and you need to RE-DO the hitbox.
Swallow's Hardpointing Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvm9uCD1WKw
^How To Do It^: You need only 2 things: a CMP of the model and HardCMP 1.0.0.23.
Let's get started:
1.) Make an ordered list of the hardpoints, essential to any ship:
- Hp_Engine01 (can have multiple, 02, 03, 04, etc.);
- Hp_Thruster01 (most ships have only 1 but Benzaiten has 2);
- Hp_Mount (used to place the ship model onto station platforms, place it BELOW the front of the ship);
- Hp_Pilot (for the cockpit pilot positioning and cockpit view camera);
- Hp_Shield;
- Hp_CM01;
- ...and a whole bunch of other stuff like Gun/Turret hardpoints, Hp_Headlight(s), Hp_Runninglight(s), Hp_Docklight(s), Hp_Contrail(s), Hp_Torpedo(s) and so on and so forth. Hp_SpecialEquipment is a CUSTOM hardpoint that needs to be MANUALLY written (you have that option) in the HardCMP tool.
You have 2 basic ways to place hardpoints: either fiddle manually in HardCMP, changing its coordinates to place it where you want, OR the better and faster way - open the model in a 3d program (like Blender) and create vertices for all hardpoints and just copy+paste their coordinates in HardCMP (that's how I do my precisionly placed hardpoints!)
Dont forget to save your work in HardCMP from time to time, because hardpointing a ship can take hours (some have as many as 60-70 hardpoints) and you dont wanna lose the work if you misclick or close the program by accident.
I know you have a lot of questions and this is a summary of the things that need to be done. If you are serious about wanting to learn this, let me or Justin know. We will put you on the right track.
(10-31-2017, 02:20 PM)Durandal Wrote: Just about everyone but Shooter and Sean (who messaged me on skype) missed the point sadly. I don't need idea guys, we don't need more thoughts on the table. I need people to help with work load, not add to it, and that's all more ideas do. We've got a well rounded balance team at the moment. As for infocards I'll communicate with Teerin on that to see if he'd be okay with having me crowdsource some less important stuff.
There would be more people to choose from if the stuff had a better availability, tho. One centralized point for modders would be a thousand times better than telling people "have fun getting the right version of 3DSmax" and stuff. On one hand we have plenty of people using all kinds of software to work with, for example Nyx uses Source to do effect stuff, but on the other hand you said in your Dev Stream there are certain things you won't accept anymore for Discovery based on the used programs. If you want more people to help with the work load, we should first make sure there are people that are able to do it that aren't already part of the Yellows or Trainees.
When saying what I am about to say, I don't wanna seem full of myself - just gonna say that in case I do.
Over time I've spent a good long while trying to learn and master the FL engine more and more, and I've tried almost every part of FL modding ranging from basic system making all the way to complex CMP animation. I love helping out as people have most likely noticed and that's why I did things like fixed the Gallic sell points and made the new Reactor thn intro (admittedly there were a few lingering errors but I did them in a day so what can you do.)
I'm currently working on a whole host of projects, including my "Freelancer Modding Tutorials - W.I.P. Guide To Everything" tutorial cluster. I've currently written four chapters out of 10 (and after recent events, I believe I'll be writing a lot more.) People like @Arioch and @Foxglove have already seen a sneak peek into them and so far things are looking pretty good. Yesterday, my new headset arrived (a Razor Kracken for those interested) so I can finally get around to the recording aspect of these tutorials as well. That is correct, as well as writing up a complete guide I'm also going to be proving videos for those that wish to learn. The first couple of posts will be up in a few days (once their videos are there to go alongside them) and I'll make a dedicated feedback thread for it.
That project aside I'm working on a few thns for Xalrock which (if I actually kick myself in gear) will be completed shortly and in time for the hotfix (I hope). More on to the topic at hand, if you need any specific assistance I've got a large amount of free time these days because bad life choices combined with a whole host of unlucky factors, but that's besides the point, so whatever work you need doing simple request away. (Skype / Discord is preferred)
(10-31-2017, 11:48 AM)Durandal Wrote: I'm looking for fresh blood here, new names, not old.
Considering how much I've changed since over the last year (no longer an incompetent retard), I'd might as well say I'm a different person. In actuality, I might as well be given how much I've changed ^_^
If you want a list of things I can do, here:
-System Editing
-NPC Editing
-Hex Editing
-THN Creation
-ALE & FX (Done some pretty cool ones imo)
-Infocard editing (know how to format and pretty good at writing imo)
-Can Create Custom Textures - See FX thread for details
-Regular INI editing for equipment, asteroids, nebula, etc...
-UTF Editing and Animation
probably more that I'm forgetting?
I'd also like to add that I've got a way of working with files and editing that is unlike almost everyone I've ever seen and have taken many steps to improve efficiency when working. Those will be explained in the second chapter of the guide.
*Unrelated note: If people have THN intro ideas send me a PM or post in my FX thread.
(11-01-2017, 11:46 AM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: There would be more people to choose from if the stuff had a better availability, tho. One centralized point for modders would be a thousand times better than telling people "have fun getting the right version of 3DSmax" and stuff. On one hand we have plenty of people using all kinds of software to work with, for example Nyx uses Source to do effect stuff, but on the other hand you said in your Dev Stream there are certain things you won't accept anymore for Discovery based on the used programs. If you want more people to help with the work load, we should first make sure there are people that are able to do it that aren't already part of the Yellows or Trainees.
We are not going to distribute a multi-thousand dollar piece of software or even provide a link to a distributor on this website. This is not a $20 throwaway from MS we're talking about.
Man i typed something huge for this but your ...spaghetti.. as a quick aside i wonder why no ones looked into blender? plugin programming for it isnt difficult. anywho..
Your life is becoming a life. This is a good thing. Nothing here.. .. the control freak stuff your talking about. nothing here is worth that. As one of the first generations of internet mole people being much younger and the net is this other world you cling to stuff.. responsibility positions of importance etc etc. it all comes and goes. I would say.. I thought i could trust people to do things my way but they never will. Their either too young or too busy.. and you just need to be prepared for something like that. Its ok. though its a rare thing to find someone who will dedicate thier time to do everything your way. Its ..well not just rare its unrealistic and even if you pay them.
But dont do what i did dont let this bother you. please. let your life be the guiding path to you being able to let go of shit that really doesn't matter. Cause from here on out you really are just learning how to be happy with yourself. how to not make life a terrible boring self degrading march to the grave. Whatever you do.. especially here. if you think you need to let go of something do it with a clean conscience at least to make time for the things that matter.. even if its to let off the stress of doing things you like to do.
Anywho. I could go in circles about it but thats only cause there is no sure call about delegating tasks of a faction nature. the dev stuff is probably the easiest to get help with.
(11-01-2017, 11:46 AM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: There would be more people to choose from if the stuff had a better availability, tho. One centralized point for modders would be a thousand times better than telling people "have fun getting the right version of 3DSmax" and stuff. On one hand we have plenty of people using all kinds of software to work with, for example Nyx uses Source to do effect stuff, but on the other hand you said in your Dev Stream there are certain things you won't accept anymore for Discovery based on the used programs. If you want more people to help with the work load, we should first make sure there are people that are able to do it that aren't already part of the Yellows or Trainees.
We are not going to distribute a multi-thousand dollar piece of software or even provide a link to a distributor on this website. This is not a $20 throwaway from MS we're talking about.
A list of plug-ins you recommend wouldn't hurt tho. I know that Felsvar for example has 3dsmax. There is nothing speaking against centralisation in general, and a bunch of links that lead to working tutorials you as model dev leader recommend using. Maybe we even get some workarounds for those who use Blender, Sketch-Up or *cough* Truespace *cough* to create models and export them, or at least to the point where you only need to import them to your 3DSMAX to get them quickly ready. Getting some sort of public structure into the current chaos should make things a hundred times easier.