I realize that modeling is one of the most solicited thing in map making, because it takes a lot of time, because the maps gain a lot from custom models, and because it just opens up a lot of possibilities.
For that reason I am kinda interested in getting to know how to model, but I don't really know much. I am, however, a dedicated person with some knowledge on programming, and willing to learn different things, but again, I don't have much info as of yet.
I guess the first questions are, is it incredible difficult to get into modeling, or can a person with some free time get into it?
What programs do you primarily need?
I am not a modeler, but my brother picked it up from scratch a few weeks ago, and I'm impressed by his progress. My suggestions:
1) Download blender.
2) Learn the program inside and out. Modeling things well does take creativity, but if you can't place your creativity into the rules of the software (the "how" its done) then creativity is useless.
3) Expect to learn slowly. He and I sat down for a full day trying to create a sphere of fire in 3DS max. We wanted 3 layers: an inner burning layer like the sun, and 2 flame layers. It took us about 3 hours to figure out how to get the animation to rotate at 60 frames per second for 90 seconds without accelerating or decelerating. Now that we've figured it out, we could do the same thing in about 3 seconds.
4) Do tutorials. Any tutorial that you can follow (i.e. isn't way out of your league) is worth going through. I don't know all the places where great tutorials can be found, but youtube does have some.
5) When you want textures, google images is a plentiful source while you're just trying things out.
Now that those thoughts out there... I'm actually quite interested to hear what other people have to say about this (since my bro is in a similar boat).
Thanks a lot, I did download blender and I am going through some basic tutorials.
It doesn't seem impossible at all, and it can actually be quite a lot of fun.
So when I have more time I will try to really get into it.
How do you end up importing these models into SC2 maps though? Is it hard? Because it would really help the process if I could see my progress taking shape :P
Unfortunately, I think it only works with Autodesk 3D Studio Max thus far, although some work-arounds can be made if you import meshes under compatible formats into 3ds Max. (Using certain softwares, such as Maya, allows this.)
don't you feel like you could put this on a TD map and it would be more fun than using the usual stuff?
Oh absolutely. It's one of the reasons I'm trying to get better at modeling myself. Being able to create and implement custom structures is something I've dreamt of since I started playing Warcraft 3. =)
You can export from Blender. However, alike other 3d applications, it does not support by default the format used by the Galaxy Editor (.m3). For each application, it will require that a plug-in be written through scripts, and I'm unsure wether Blizzard will eventually provide such plug-ins or not.
Luckily for us, some programers like the game enough to do this work. :D NiNtoxicated01, from the Sc2Mapster community, delivered (and is still updating, as far as I can tell) a plug-in compatible with 3ds Max, a common high-end application. There's also someone that seems willing to write a plug-in for Blender as well, as shown in the second thread I linked you. Can't vouch for him though.
This being said, I would suggest you keep learning and practicing with Blender. It may or may not end up directly supporting exports (through a plug-in) to the Sc2 GEditor, however you could get yourself the 3ds Max trial and then Export from Blender > Import into 3ds Max > Export through NiNtoxicated01's plug-in > Import into the Galaxy Editor. Yeah, it does seem a bit tedious, but it's all that's available for now and you're not alone wishing it gets easier. (If you ever happen to switch —and that's a bit more of a general tip here— to another program, the time spent learning an application is never wasted, as there's so much to learn about space, lighting, compositing, heck everything that makes a creation attractive —and that transcends applications frameworks.)
So if you have 3DS max, how do you export it into sc2?
Man this is certainly confusing
I think you'll find the necessary explanations in the first link I gave ya.
I'd like to add you really shouldn't let small inconveniances refrain you from pursuing your 3d modeling goals. Starcraft 2 is a young game (some may say it isn't born yet!) and it's perfectly normal we face some technical difficulties. Don't let this matter bother you and instead keep focusing on getting better with handling the application's tools, read some tutorials and try them out, work on the proportions and so forth.
There's obviously a lot to learn, to develop and to master, but I swear, it's worth every minute if you're into it. It's just so gratifying. ;)
Gonna try to see if I can make it work uploading it into SC2
Edit: Aight guys, I managed to install the plug ins necessary and exported my cactus using SC2 materials and SC2 Mapbit
2 problems however.
My first problem is that I can't set color using SC2materials as a material
My second problem is in adding the model to the editor. This is probably a stupid question but I'm a noob when it comes to the Sc2 map editor and I can't seem to find a way to import the model.
I know its with the data editor, and I already created my unit as a cactus completely devoid of any attributes beyond its name whatsover, and I do know I have to add a model
I'm not that interested in knowing how to use the map editor as I want to get good at modeling and work with someone who can use the map editor, but, I do want to be able to import my models to see how they perform in-game or if there is any problems
Thanks to all btw.
@payne007: really nice link, could be a really great faq to help people get started, but it seems to be broken atm, so I can only post my questions here
I realize that modeling is one of the most solicited thing in map making, because it takes a lot of time, because the maps gain a lot from custom models, and because it just opens up a lot of possibilities.
For that reason I am kinda interested in getting to know how to model, but I don't really know much. I am, however, a dedicated person with some knowledge on programming, and willing to learn different things, but again, I don't have much info as of yet.
I guess the first questions are, is it incredible difficult to get into modeling, or can a person with some free time get into it? What programs do you primarily need?
Thanks in advance
I am not a modeler, but my brother picked it up from scratch a few weeks ago, and I'm impressed by his progress. My suggestions:
1) Download blender.
2) Learn the program inside and out. Modeling things well does take creativity, but if you can't place your creativity into the rules of the software (the "how" its done) then creativity is useless.
3) Expect to learn slowly. He and I sat down for a full day trying to create a sphere of fire in 3DS max. We wanted 3 layers: an inner burning layer like the sun, and 2 flame layers. It took us about 3 hours to figure out how to get the animation to rotate at 60 frames per second for 90 seconds without accelerating or decelerating. Now that we've figured it out, we could do the same thing in about 3 seconds.
4) Do tutorials. Any tutorial that you can follow (i.e. isn't way out of your league) is worth going through. I don't know all the places where great tutorials can be found, but youtube does have some.
5) When you want textures, google images is a plentiful source while you're just trying things out.
Now that those thoughts out there... I'm actually quite interested to hear what other people have to say about this (since my bro is in a similar boat).
Thanks a lot, I did download blender and I am going through some basic tutorials.
It doesn't seem impossible at all, and it can actually be quite a lot of fun. So when I have more time I will try to really get into it.
How do you end up importing these models into SC2 maps though? Is it hard? Because it would really help the process if I could see my progress taking shape :P
yay i made my first diamond
@Kitadol: Go
Congrats! Did you figure out how to get it in game? (I've never actually tried to do it)
I still haven't figured that out yet so some advice would be great
I made my first monkey monolith
don't you feel like you could put this on a TD map and it would be more fun than using the usual stuff?
The following thread highlights the procedures : http://forums.sc2mapster.com/mapping-utilities/third-party-tools/963-m3-exporter/#posts
Unfortunately, I think it only works with Autodesk 3D Studio Max thus far, although some work-arounds can be made if you import meshes under compatible formats into 3ds Max. (Using certain softwares, such as Maya, allows this.)
As far as Blender is concerned, there's this thread that recently popped : http://forums.sc2mapster.com/development/artist-tavern/3173-any-importers-exporters-found-for-freeware-editing/#p8 I don't think I can help further though.
Oh absolutely. It's one of the reasons I'm trying to get better at modeling myself. Being able to create and implement custom structures is something I've dreamt of since I started playing Warcraft 3. =)
So wait, you can't export things from blender?
Some clarification on this would be pretty useful. What is it that you need to import models into SC2? Do you need a special kind of file(the .m3's)?
And the problem would be that Blender doesn't export in this kinda of files and only 3ds Max does this? Is this correct
So if you have 3DS max, how do you export it into sc2?
Man this is certainly confusing
You can export from Blender. However, alike other 3d applications, it does not support by default the format used by the Galaxy Editor (.m3). For each application, it will require that a plug-in be written through scripts, and I'm unsure wether Blizzard will eventually provide such plug-ins or not.
Luckily for us, some programers like the game enough to do this work. :D NiNtoxicated01, from the Sc2Mapster community, delivered (and is still updating, as far as I can tell) a plug-in compatible with 3ds Max, a common high-end application. There's also someone that seems willing to write a plug-in for Blender as well, as shown in the second thread I linked you. Can't vouch for him though.
This being said, I would suggest you keep learning and practicing with Blender. It may or may not end up directly supporting exports (through a plug-in) to the Sc2 GEditor, however you could get yourself the 3ds Max trial and then Export from Blender > Import into 3ds Max > Export through NiNtoxicated01's plug-in > Import into the Galaxy Editor. Yeah, it does seem a bit tedious, but it's all that's available for now and you're not alone wishing it gets easier. (If you ever happen to switch —and that's a bit more of a general tip here— to another program, the time spent learning an application is never wasted, as there's so much to learn about space, lighting, compositing, heck everything that makes a creation attractive —and that transcends applications frameworks.)
For the time being, and given you get NiNtoxicated01's plug-in, that is correct. Things can (and are likely) to evolve though.
I think you'll find the necessary explanations in the first link I gave ya.
I'd like to add you really shouldn't let small inconveniances refrain you from pursuing your 3d modeling goals. Starcraft 2 is a young game (some may say it isn't born yet!) and it's perfectly normal we face some technical difficulties. Don't let this matter bother you and instead keep focusing on getting better with handling the application's tools, read some tutorials and try them out, work on the proportions and so forth.
There's obviously a lot to learn, to develop and to master, but I swear, it's worth every minute if you're into it. It's just so gratifying. ;)
hai gaiz, i moved your thread to the artists forums, might have a better chance at getting tips here!
If you can get 3dsmax, I can provide you few tips.
One important tip is when you are making model(mesh) that you first do most simple object. Then expand it to more complex.
For start, when you are modeling a head, you should start with box. Then you can split it and so on.
I did get 3dsmax, haven't gotten the plugins yet, just getting to know the tool, so getting some advice would be really appreciated
@payne007: Thanks a lot! Will check out when i get back today
Im familiar with 3dsmax, i think its ultra easy. Just that blender is free...
Hey look I made my first organic object starting from scratch.
Kinda stupid design, but I didn't really thought about it, just went ahead as I progressed, but as you see I can find my way around some tools now.
Gonna try to see if I can make it work uploading it into SC2
Edit: Aight guys, I managed to install the plug ins necessary and exported my cactus using SC2 materials and SC2 Mapbit
2 problems however.
My first problem is that I can't set color using SC2materials as a material My second problem is in adding the model to the editor. This is probably a stupid question but I'm a noob when it comes to the Sc2 map editor and I can't seem to find a way to import the model.
I know its with the data editor, and I already created my unit as a cactus completely devoid of any attributes beyond its name whatsover, and I do know I have to add a model
I'm not that interested in knowing how to use the map editor as I want to get good at modeling and work with someone who can use the map editor, but, I do want to be able to import my models to see how they perform in-game or if there is any problems
Thanks to all btw.
@payne007: really nice link, could be a really great faq to help people get started, but it seems to be broken atm, so I can only post my questions here
Im making progress, working on my first complex model following the famous Joan of Arc tutorial.
Completed her leg, Feeling good about this
I apreciate the help bro but I don't see how that has anything to do with modeling
i learnd by simpy doing a few tutorials everday.
Making progress in the model, though the torso is really hard
Still, LOOK AT THEM LEGS
Would appreciate some help on how to put m3 models into maps. Not really familiar with the editor