Using 3DS Max 20xx

RavenStryker

Former Alias: †Blade†/Xi.Cynx
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Nov 25, 2008
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So I have been watching this extremely looong tutorial from Lynda.com. 3DS Max 2011 Essential Training, cause I want to get into modeling stuff for TF2. But one thing it hasn't covered yet and I am quite curious about it how to export/import a model into 3DS Max. I'm sure I could google it but I know there are a few people around here that could easily explain it for me and any other future modelers that stumble along this exact same question. =) A nice 1), 2), 3) list like process would be nice but if that's not your style I'll work with what ya type out. Thanks in advance! This stuff is fun! :O:O:O
 
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Rexy

The Kwisatz Haderach
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Dec 22, 2008
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1.) For exporting you will need Wunderboy's .smd export plugins for 3ds Max. www.wunderboy.org

2.) You posted this in the wrong place. Someone move this to the Mapping and Tutorials section.
 

RavenStryker

Former Alias: †Blade†/Xi.Cynx
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Nov 25, 2008
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and what about for importing? Like, if I want to view a current tf2 model in the program?
Ohh and one more thing not to be a hassle, but how would you go about texturing a model in 3ds Max?
Youme what are you using to do all of your modeling?

Also I posted it in that thread cause this technically isn't mapping related or a tutorial and it dealt with modeling and I searched for something a long these lines and found a post where Boojum said that there wasn't a particular thread for modeling questions so that one has kind of became it. Ohh well though, no biggy, just stating why I posted it in there.
 
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eyefork

L3: Member
Oct 27, 2008
130
186
[For 3DS Max]

You'd have to extract the .mdl files (and reference files) of the model from the .gcf using GCFScape.

UmWzc.png


Next thing, open up the .mdl file you extracted in a text editor. On the first line you'll see IDST followed by a fifth character. Change the fifth character to a comma, then save.

vwiJN.png


Now open up MDLDecompiler (this needs to be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\username\sourcesdk\bin\ep1\bin to work properly). Select the I/O directories, uncheck all boxes, then decompile. These are the files it dumps:

ay9Hq.png


The main model is the non-lod reference at the top. So we'll use this 3DS Max .smd importer.

oOaDE.png


'Nother thing. Valve has the .smd files for character models available so you don't have to go through this awesomeness if you're trying to make a hat or weapon or whatever. They're here (in the sub-directories): C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\username\sourcesdk_content\tf\modelsrc\player
 
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RavenStryker

Former Alias: †Blade†/Xi.Cynx
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Nov 25, 2008
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Thanks! K, now let's see if I can get something done!

Hmm... Well I got everything going good except the mdlcompiler-thingy. This is an error I get when I select the location and click Extract.

Edited the .mdl file as shown:
edited-mdl.png


mdl-error.png


This is the location of the program:
location.png


And when I tried unchecking that Use steam paths box I got the following:
unable-to-load.png
 
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RavenStryker

Former Alias: †Blade†/Xi.Cynx
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Nov 25, 2008
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And when I tried unchecking that Use steam paths box I got the following:
unable-to-load.png

That is what I had meant I had unchecked. Lol.
And I got it to work with w_weapons, just not v_weapons. So I guess I just won't be able to check out any of those.. :/


I lied, I didn't really get it to work, all it did was dump the qc file but none of the .smd files. Weird.
 
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eyefork

L3: Member
Oct 27, 2008
130
186
Don't use wordpad. Use notepad. v_weapons work fine too :)
 
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YM

LVL100 YM
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Dec 5, 2007
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I use xvi32 its free and awesome.

Dunno who this Youme chap is though.
 

Rexy

The Kwisatz Haderach
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Dec 22, 2008
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Everyone is always working too hard to decompile models. Download Crafty, use the model browser to navigate to the model of your choice and right click, export. Crafty spits out a .obj file, friendly to every 3D package out there. No messy hex editing, no hassle.
 

SiniStarR

L8: Fancy Shmancy Member
Mar 31, 2009
585
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@Rexy, Do the .obj include any bones that the model may have? Or is it just the mesh? I didn't realize Crafty had that capability.

Alternativly to Crafty there is a hacked decompiler, specifically for tf2 stuff so you don't have to change that dasterdly 0 into a , when you want to convert the model.
http://www.fpsbanana.com/tools/3270


Also you might find this whole tutorial helpful. He aims at making a glock for Counter-Strike Source but, the modelling process, uv mapping, and rigging and animation was very easy to follow and he goes over alot of stuff that can be helpful to know for modelling in 3ds. You wouldn't have to complete the whole thing if your just trying to make props, but I did and I got a weapon into CSS the other day and the best part is I feel I can make another without checking back on the tutorial. All it requires is time and dedication. Hope this helps!
http://www.moddb.com/tutorials/creating-a-weapon-for-source
 
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YM

LVL100 YM
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Dec 5, 2007
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Crafty doesn't give out QCs like mdldecompiler as far as I'm aware.

Making it vastly inferior.
 

RavenStryker

Former Alias: †Blade†/Xi.Cynx
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Nov 25, 2008
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Also you might find this whole tutorial helpful. He aims at making a glock for Counter-Strike Source but, the modelling process, uv mapping, and rigging and animation was very easy to follow and he goes over alot of stuff that can be helpful to know for modelling in 3ds. You wouldn't have to complete the whole thing if your just trying to make props, but I did and I got a weapon into CSS the other day and the best part is I feel I can make another without checking back on the tutorial. All it requires is time and dedication. Hope this helps!
http://www.moddb.com/tutorials/creating-a-weapon-for-source

404 - Not Found


Think you might be able to zip/rar the videos back up and upload them somewhere for us to download? I got that error when clicking on the download link. =(
 

Rexy

The Kwisatz Haderach
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Dec 22, 2008
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Crafty doesn't give out QCs like mdldecompiler as far as I'm aware.

Making it vastly inferior.

Yes, all you get is the mesh and the material, but if that's all you're looking for it's a time saver!
 

SiniStarR

L8: Fancy Shmancy Member
Mar 31, 2009
585
116
God damn this took forever to upload to Dropbox. Warning this file is over 2GB. Comes with all the videos and materials to the tutorial I mentioned above. I'll keep this is up for as long as it has to be. If I ever run out of space in Dropbox, this will probably be the first thing to go, although I should be alright for a lonnnnng time. ;)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/934540/Glock Tutorial.rar
 

Dr. ROCKZO

L8: Fancy Shmancy Member
Jul 25, 2009
580
159
Poor Dropbox. I wont be using this as I'm trying to just stick to innocent ol' Blender an the Tutorial won't be very applicable. How much beter is 3DSMax?

EDIT: Oh, it turns out I've got a [COMPLETELY LEGIT AND ETHICAL] copy of 2009 lying around on my Hard drive. Time to Install.
 
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SiniStarR

L8: Fancy Shmancy Member
Mar 31, 2009
585
116
Oh right one last thing! The guy's tutorial while great does get somewhat misconstrued a bit when he talks about applying textures, at least I had trouble understanding it, so just as a heads up but that isnt til the end. :p
 

RavenStryker

Former Alias: †Blade†/Xi.Cynx
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Nov 25, 2008
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Awesome! Now I can finally find out how to make something decently. All the other tutorials/videos I find are ones that are in fast forward mode with crazy music playing. Lol