3D Modeling...

smith · 10-16-2005, 07:46 PM

I've always been a big fan of Duke Nukem. I've been looking at what everyone has been doing with the 3D models for Duke Nukem, and enjoying them in the HRP!

Anyway, I was wondering how you create these models. I read about the programs that some of you use, and I downloaded them. I tried blender, and was really lost. I downloaded MilkShape 3D, and Wings3D, but I still didn't know where to start. I've tried some tutorials, but I dont think I read the good ones...

What I was wondering which programs do you use? How did you learn to use them? What do you think would be best for a beginner? I was kind of hoping to make my own model out of the Duke model. Should I leave this to the experts?

Ding Bat · 10-17-2005, 01:04 AM

Most prefer Blender. Go to the blend web page and download thier tutorial, it's like 100 pages long.

I tried blender and was able to make simple person in no time.

motionblur · 10-17-2005, 06:07 AM

Short answer:

Blender is perfect because it's free. The usage is somewhat difficult, though. But in your case I'd go for it.
If you want to spend money - LOTS of money: Buy either 3DStudio Max, Maya or SoftimageXSI (which is the cheapest of those three).

Blender has lots of tutorials on the website: http://www.blender.org/cms/Tutorials.243.0.html

For any other application go to: www.3dtotal.com and select Tutorials.

Parkar · 10-17-2005, 07:19 AM

Another good choice for modelling is gMAX. It has all the modelling tools of 3dsmax (afaik) but is free. Unfortunately I just noticed that autodesk has stopped developing gMAX

.

I would suggest to try a few of them and see which has the camera controls you like best (try to find tutorials on how to use the camera). This is important since you will spend most of the time studying your model.

Once you have found one app you feel like you can get around in 3d space comfortably look for tutorials and do them one at a time, not a whole bunch after each other. Then experiment with what you just learned before going to the next.

Don't learn the app while doing your first "real" model. You will end up doing it from scratch anyway as you learn more. Just make experiments to see how the tools work and don't spend to much time on each model.

I guess the bottom line is be prepared to spend a month or so just fooling around and experiment, looking up tutorials to figure out specific tools work.

smith · 10-17-2005, 05:53 PM

Thanks a bunch for all your responses! The tutorials I found were only like 3 or 4 pages! They really didn't help much. I'll definatly check out the one on Blender's site.

Love the HRP!

Killd a ton · 10-17-2005, 10:49 PM

Tho they stoped the development of it is still avalible at
http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

you will get the .md3 exporter at the same page (tempestinstall.exe).

im back by the way :P

Tea Monster · 10-18-2005, 09:53 AM

Welcome back Kild!

Here are two wonderful Blender Tuts that focus on creating game models specifically. The first one is how to create a sword and takes you through all the different ways you can manipulate vertexes on the way. It's what got me started.

The other good thing with these tuts is that it teaches you the best way to use Blender itself. This is using the keyboard shortcuts rather than the rather perplexing buttons system (which sadly resembles the Space Shuttle control panel and scares new users to death).

Once you learn the shortcuts and find the space bar menu to get around the program, Blender is actually very easy to use and very intuitive. It just doesn't ***look*** that way when you first open it up.

Here is part one:

http://www.gamedev.net/reference/art/features/blender1/

and here is part two, which covers the 'black art' of UV Mapping (skinning) the model.

http://www.gamedev.net/reference/art/features/blender2/

Both are by Wolfman Yoda.

Blender has advanced since these tuts were first created, so there are some extra goodies available now, but these will get you started and show you the right way to do things.

Tea Monster · 11-30-2005, 04:54 PM

The Blender Bods have just put out a magazine in PDF format. Inside are some pretty good tuts on making different stuff and even some info on (gasp!) texturing and ('Speed Racer' style "Auuughhhhh!") rendering in Blender.

You might want to check it out on their website www.blender.org

10-16-2005, 07:46 PM	#1
smith	3D Modeling... I've always been a big fan of Duke Nukem. I've been looking at what everyone has been doing with the 3D models for Duke Nukem, and enjoying them in the HRP! Anyway, I was wondering how you create these models. I read about the programs that some of you use, and I downloaded them. I tried blender, and was really lost. I downloaded MilkShape 3D, and Wings3D, but I still didn't know where to start. I've tried some tutorials, but I dont think I read the good ones... What I was wondering which programs do you use? How did you learn to use them? What do you think would be best for a beginner? I was kind of hoping to make my own model out of the Duke model. Should I leave this to the experts? __________________ We've had our eye on you for some time now, Mr. Anderson.

10-17-2005, 01:04 AM	#2
Ding Bat	Re: 3D Modeling... Most prefer Blender. Go to the blend web page and download thier tutorial, it's like 100 pages long. I tried blender and was able to make simple person in no time.

10-17-2005, 06:07 AM	#3
motionblur	Re: 3D Modeling... Short answer: Blender is perfect because it's free. The usage is somewhat difficult, though. But in your case I'd go for it. If you want to spend money - LOTS of money: Buy either 3DStudio Max, Maya or SoftimageXSI (which is the cheapest of those three). Blender has lots of tutorials on the website: http://www.blender.org/cms/Tutorials.243.0.html For any other application go to: www.3dtotal.com and select Tutorials.

10-17-2005, 07:19 AM	#4
Parkar	Re: 3D Modeling... Another good choice for modelling is gMAX. It has all the modelling tools of 3dsmax (afaik) but is free. Unfortunately I just noticed that autodesk has stopped developing gMAX . I would suggest to try a few of them and see which has the camera controls you like best (try to find tutorials on how to use the camera). This is important since you will spend most of the time studying your model. Once you have found one app you feel like you can get around in 3d space comfortably look for tutorials and do them one at a time, not a whole bunch after each other. Then experiment with what you just learned before going to the next. Don't learn the app while doing your first "real" model. You will end up doing it from scratch anyway as you learn more. Just make experiments to see how the tools work and don't spend to much time on each model. I guess the bottom line is be prepared to spend a month or so just fooling around and experiment, looking up tutorials to figure out specific tools work. __________________ Action Unreal Tournament Duke Nukem 3D: High Resolution Pack HRP wiki: A HRP development tool

10-17-2005, 05:53 PM	#5
smith	Re: 3D Modeling... Thanks a bunch for all your responses! The tutorials I found were only like 3 or 4 pages! They really didn't help much. I'll definatly check out the one on Blender's site. Love the HRP! __________________ We've had our eye on you for some time now, Mr. Anderson.

10-17-2005, 10:49 PM	#6
Killd a ton	Re: 3D Modeling... Tho they stoped the development of it is still avalible at http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax you will get the .md3 exporter at the same page (tempestinstall.exe). im back by the way :P __________________ hell-angel: "I would sig this if I had the room." Duke 3D art to do list New and improved.

10-18-2005, 09:53 AM	#7
Tea Monster	Re: 3D Modeling... Welcome back Kild! Here are two wonderful Blender Tuts that focus on creating game models specifically. The first one is how to create a sword and takes you through all the different ways you can manipulate vertexes on the way. It's what got me started. The other good thing with these tuts is that it teaches you the best way to use Blender itself. This is using the keyboard shortcuts rather than the rather perplexing buttons system (which sadly resembles the Space Shuttle control panel and scares new users to death). Once you learn the shortcuts and find the space bar menu to get around the program, Blender is actually very easy to use and very intuitive. It just doesn't *look* that way when you first open it up. Here is part one: http://www.gamedev.net/reference/art/features/blender1/ and here is part two, which covers the 'black art' of UV Mapping (skinning) the model. http://www.gamedev.net/reference/art/features/blender2/ Both are by Wolfman Yoda. Blender has advanced since these tuts were first created, so there are some extra goodies available now, but these will get you started and show you the right way to do things. __________________ Tea Monster's web portfolio

11-30-2005, 04:54 PM	#8
Tea Monster	Re: 3D Modeling... The Blender Bods have just put out a magazine in PDF format. Inside are some pretty good tuts on making different stuff and even some info on (gasp!) texturing and ('Speed Racer' style "Auuughhhhh!") rendering in Blender. You might want to check it out on their website www.blender.org __________________ Tea Monster's web portfolio