problem with sfc conversion
 

In making a new mod for a2 i'm trying to convert models for sfc from battleclinic. I can get the models ingame but they won't shoot. I'm new at this so please bear with me. I need to convert the hp's but I don't know how. I have tutorials to place hp's but in milkshape I can't seem to delete them to start fresh. The textures also don 't look right, they seem cartoonish. Lightmaps maybe? I don't get that yet either, but hp's are the main focus now. Just so you all know, I'm not trying to steal any models from anyone. The mod is just for me and if I decide to share it I wiil get all the proper permissions. Any help would be great, thanks.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

Your best hope is Armada 2 Files - Milkshape 3D Tutorial done by Major A Payne will tell you everything you need no, any probelm pm me. And ill see if I can help

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

To delete a hardpoint/all of the hardpoints from a model go to the Joints tab and double click on the name of the joint(s) you want to delete and then press the DEL key on your keyboard :)

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

Thanks I'll give it a go.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

All right, I think I'm getting the hang of it. My ship is coming out all rearranged but I think I know why. I'll get it soon. Thanks alot for your help guys.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

ok the model is in game and looks fine. I followed the tut completely but I still have no weapons. What am I missing? Any guidance would be great.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

This may sound like a pretty stupid question, but with any problem, people always say think of the simple solutions first. So, with that in mind, have you given the ship(s) any weapons in your .odf file?

If you have, and you've done your entire hardpoint tree, then chances are, you've missed one the hardpoints. The hardpoints (h_hp01, h_hp02, h_hp03 etc) are all suppose to be connected to the h_damage node.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

I have weapons in the odf And that's not a stupid question at all. I'm looking at every possibility. I thought the hardpoints were to be linked to the h_hardpoint node? Thats what the tut says anyway.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

Yeah, they are. Maybe I wasn't too clear, sorry.

The individual hardpoints (h_hp01, h_hp02 etc) are suppose to be linked to the h_hardpoints node. It is the h_hardpoints node that needs to be connected to the h_damage node.

Also, am unsure if you know this, or whether it is on the tutorial (haven't looked at in a while) but each hardpoint you add, you have to click on the h_hardpoints node first. So h_hp01 would be connected to the h_hardpoints node, then, before you add h_hp02, you'd have to again click on the h_hardpoints node, and you'd do that again for h_hp03, h_hp04, h_hp05 etc.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

All of the hardpoints are linked to h_hardpoints properly and I linked h_hardpoints to h_damage and still no joy. The ship will turn to attack but not fire. I know there must be a simple solution but I sure have not found it yet.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

CHeck you ODF and how you have thing set up there.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

I'm not sure h_hardpoints is connected to h_damage. Shouldn't it be connected to the scene root?

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

yeah the h_hardpoints should be linked to scene root, if you link it to h-damage it will use them only as it get damage to the systems
i see 3ds Max is still the best program to export Armada models to, Milkshape simply has not all the possabilietys you need to make a good export to Armada file format

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

3D Max is the best but also the most costly. Milkshape while not perfect is quite cheap at around $25 (AU) for a lifetime licence and does the job fairly well.

I also agree with SquireJames and Terradyhne about the hardpointing. I have hardpointed all my models (both YY and non-YY) with h_hardpoint linked to scene root (or root).

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

See Below

I stand corrected. It is the h_scene root that the h_hardpoints should be connected too. Not the h_damage node.

I was going from models in Zero Hour, of which I have somehow linked all my h_hardpoints to my h_damage node.. I should slap myself. :( More work for me to do, having to do them all again now I think. Aggravating! :mad:

So yeah, link them to your h_scene root instead, if that does work (it should, but it may not) then post your .odf file here.

Sorry for giving you the wrong information too..

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

Also I am having trouble with my 3dmax installation so, Ms3d or UU3d are the only tools I have available, Ms3d being preferable due to the lighting systems and such.

Infact, heres a weird tip for you. If your going to use Ms3d, use V.1.6.5 (or similar) not the latest. Why? Well the latest versions make Alpha Layers appear as transparency so any lightmaps you have make the ship go transparent in Ms3d (not the export, but its annoying when your trying to move hardpoints about on an invisible ship! Older versions ignore alphas when showing the ship in Ms3d) Also, the hardpoints seem to align themselves better in the older version, rather than being at weird angles (i assume this is due to the way they changed the skeleton system in later versions of Ms3d). Finally, the Assimsoft Scaler tool only works in the latest version if your ship is a single mesh. Since most of mine are not single meshes, it crashes the program. In 1.6.5 it works fine on multiple meshes (according to Mete this is due to the way the API or something has changed, the locations the Scaler Tool references no longer exist basically)

So yes, 3dmax is still probably the best, but Ms3d is still very servicable. Think of it like cars. 3dmax is your luxury saloon. Lots of yummy features but its pricy. If you want something to move you about with pretty much the same efficiency for cheaper but not so many bells and whistles as a trade off, you can get a basic estate car.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

I am using milkshape 1.8.2 actually. Could it be a problem with the exporter? I got it on A2files and its yhe only one i"ve found. I compared the odf to a couple others and it seems to be in order. In game the ship looks fine and moves normally, it will turn to attack on command but not actually shoot. And it blows up quite nicely. I guess I'll keep experimenting. If anyone has any more tips let me know, and thanks to all for the help. Oh and Tycoon don't sweat it I'm still having. fun for me the learning is what it's all about. Failing teaches me as much as success.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

Well, I have 1.8.2 but for Armada and A2 I find 1.6.5 works better. (for the above reasons)

Is your h_hardpoints node now attached to your scene root? If its still attached to the damage then it won't work. :)

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

Yes I redid all the hardpoints and finally have it working. It was a problem in the odf but I still have no idea where. I used a different odf as a template and it works fine. So now I can continue with my mod. I needed to get more rom ships as there are so few tos designs. Battleclinic has tons. Thanks again everyone for the help. I've learned alot. I was always curious if I could do this sort of thing. Oh, and James, I can't wait for your mod. I loved the first release. I'm sure the second will be outstanding.

Re: problem with sfc conversion
 

Glad to hear your problem has been solved :)