Interlopers.net Forum - Half-Life 2 News & Tutorials

Hello,

I dediced to give modelling another try, but this time in 3dsmax.
I started with something relatively simple. As you can see the model is build from 4 main parts that are cloned with the array function. Since each part is copied a few times I think it is a good idea to make each part then unwrap the UVW's before cloning them.

However this left me with a few questions:

1) How can I make sure that when I clone the basic parts that they share the same UVW?

2) Do I have to attach all the elements together before exporting for compile?

3) Are there other things I should be aware of when preparing a model for compile?

1) the easiest way I would do the model would be to unwrap the whole model with only one of the wooden planks, and then clone the element (set grid snapping to get equal spacing). You could either then choose to have a couple of UVs for the planks to add variation, or overlay all the plank UVs on top of one another to save texture space.

2)Yeah, just select one of the editable polys/objects, go into the modify tab, and right click on somewhere on the object and hit attach. Do this for every element you want to be in the object. It basically just groups the pieces to say 'this is one object' and nothing else.

3) Ummm, check your normals, delete any unwanted faces that would be hidden. And create a simple collision mesh. But for something this straight forward, it should be fine.

When I try to attach the elements to eachother some of the uv information is lost.

Code: Select all

A modifier exists in the stack that depends on topology.
Changing parameters may have undesirable effects.

The dependent modifier is : Unwrap UVW

How should I attach them without losing that information?

IIRC you have to collapse the stack before being able to attach things properly.

My model turns up invisible after compile. I don't have a texture applied to the model,so it should be purple/black checkered.

This is the QC, qc is in the same directory as the smd files and I am compiling through ConText (link)

$modelname "props_downfall\track512.mdl"
$body mybody "track512_ref.smd"
$staticprop
$surfaceprop "combine_metal"
$cdmaterials "models\props_downfall"

$sequence idle "track512_anim.smd"

$collisionmodel "track512_phys.smd" { $concave }

The only error displayed in the console output is

WARNING: AppFramework : Unable to load module p4lib.dll!

but people on VDC say it's safe to ignore.

It might be caused because the model doesn't have a material assigned to it in 3DSmax.

edit: Yep, it was caused because I didn't had a material assigned to it in 3dsmax. Thanks to YM for helping me figure it out!