Modeling: For those who don't know

bazola

L1: Registered
Feb 12, 2008
34
1
Found this out today and I'm not sure whether the community is aware. You can get a free version of XSI (a 3d modeling program) from here: http://www.softimage.com/products/modtool/

The only real restriction seems to be that it is for non-commercial use only, but for me that's not a problem. Considering that their software can cost 5,000 dollars... well this is a good way to go about getting it legally :)

There is a tutorial here: http://developer.valvesoftware.com/...your_map_into_a_prop_static_with_XSI_Mod_Tool
That explains how to turn your brushes into models. From what I understand this is mostly important if you reach the brush limit in your map.
 

DJive

Cake or Death?
aa
Dec 20, 2007
1,465
741
Oct 25, 2007
219
690
Yeah, I've played around with the mod tool. It's a good tool to learn XSI, but I had buggy experiences with it. I've started using Blender (which the full program is free), and installed the Half Life 2 smd converter.

Here are a couple of TF2 props I'm building in Blender for an upcoming map of mine:

plane2.jpg

bomb.jpg
 

Hawk

L7: Fancy Member
Dec 3, 2007
419
213
I've played with Mod Tool as well. Its bugs and glitches aggravate me, so I make and texture my models in another program and simply run them through Mod Tool to get them where I want them.
 

Scotland Tom

L6: Sharp Member
Jan 19, 2008
332
64
Blender is indeed free and also a very capable program. I'm learning it myself actually, though I'm not sure how much modeling I'll do for TF2.