Author Topic: Information on Modding and Custom Components (Read 2329 times)

Gaminguru · « **on:** July 11, 2009, 11:42:51 AM »

Hello everyone. I am a new member here on the forums but have been reading your work for a few years now. I would like to begin by appoligizing. I am sure that the information I am looking for is here in the forums somewhere but I just can't seem to find it. I have been playing RA since the first installment but never had the time or desire to get into modding. My other mods keep me pretty busy. I recently picked up some handy information on the net and became re-interested in modding RA2. I am looking for a very dumbed down version of a tutorial that will help me understand where to begin with the scripting. Also, I need some kind of export script that will work with 3DS Max 2009. I have tried all of them and no dice.

I understand MAX and PS pretty good but it is the scripting language I am interested in learning. You folks here are the most knowledgable people I know of for this subject and I would really appreciate the help. Thanks in advance! Any information would put me in a better position than I am currently. :):Confused:

Sage · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2009, 12:09:10 PM »

Well, here is a very handy tutorial on how to mod RA2 WITHOUT 3ds max:

http://beetlebros.gametechmods.com/modding.htm

And here is a tutorial on how to do it WITH 3ds max:

https://gametechmods.com/RA2wiki/index.php?title=Creating_Components

hope that helps!

Gaminguru · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2009, 01:44:58 PM »

Thanks very much Sage. BTW I have really enjoyed reading all of your input here on the forum. You seem quite knowledgable on the subject of modding and customization. I will give the links a quick look see and get back to you.

Sage · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2009, 01:51:05 PM »

Quote from: Gaminguru;50528

Thanks very much Sage. BTW I have really enjoyed reading all of your input here on the forum. You seem quite knowledgable on the subject of modding and customization. I will give the links a quick look see and get back to you.

Thanks, but I learned almost everything I know from Madiaba. He's the real expert.

Just giving credit where credit is due.

Gaminguru · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2009, 01:55:14 PM »

Well, no good. I have read and used the beetle brothers tutorial and it works very well but it does not allow me to create something completely new. I have also tried the above listed tutorial for 3dsmax and the script does not work on max 2009. I am not a scripter. I have no idea how the language and functions work. well, I have an idea but it is not enough to write my own script. Please, if you have any more links I could try it would be most appreciated. Is there anyone here on the forums that knows how to write scripts? Maybe clickbeetle or aacams or someone. I just need a point in the right direction. Thanks again.

*EDIT* - BTW It also needs to be said that I am using Vista and 3DS MAX 64 bit. I don't know if this matters but there it is.

kill343gs · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2009, 02:01:13 PM »

In order to make components and such you needs 3ds max 4 or 5.

Gaminguru · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2009, 02:07:04 PM »

There is no way to use 2009? The tutorial listed above names MAX 8 and 5.
ALSO....does anyone have another copy of dummee's reference file. It seems that the link is broken and it will not DL.

Trovaner · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2009, 02:15:07 PM »

To my knowledge, the second link that Sage gave you works on all versions of 3DS Max (before that tutorial was written, it was believed that only 3DS Max 4 and 5 worked). Please make sure that you are following all the instructions and explain what error message you are getting from the script.

Gaminguru · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2009, 02:23:03 PM »

My problem is that I don't know "IF" it is running. I followed the directions but nothing is happening. Am I correct to assume that when the script is executed it will create a pop-up menu? If so, it is not working. My ignorance is as genuine as imaginable.

:-):-)

Also I do not have a copt of the reference.MAX to open and follow the tutorial with. The link is busted.

Gaminguru · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2009, 02:54:28 PM »

Dumee's reference model is not downloading. I need this file to make sure that whatever I create in MAX is done to the correct scale. Does anyone have a copy of the reference.zip that I can use?

Serge · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2009, 03:45:02 PM »

Quote from: Gaminguru;50543

My problem is that I don't know "IF" it is running. I followed the directions but nothing is happening. Am I correct to assume that when the script is executed it will create a pop-up menu? If so, it is not working. My ignorance is as genuine as imaginable. :-):-)

Also I do not have a copt of the reference.MAX to open and follow the tutorial with. The link is busted.

Hi, I created these tutorials. Does Max throw an error when you run the script? Anything? Are you sure you do Run Script and not Open Script? Does the rollout appear? What happens when you click the button?

The reference.max file is just.. well, for size reference. I'm attaching a link to a 3dsmax scene of a redbird motor, for size comparison. Ignore the DLL errors. Just merge it with your scene, resize your part to be lifelike, then delete the motor.

Just to be sure, I also attach a link to a surely working on v9 (just tested it) export script.

http://venema.q3k.org/ra2stuff/

Do you have some sort of IM? If so, add me. bazanski@gmail.com for MSN, Google Talk and Jabber.

Gaminguru · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2009, 03:53:01 PM »

OK! Thanks very much. I seem to be having a problem with my MAX 9. It will not popup anything even with the new script I just DL from you. I can open the .max files just fine and change what I want but it is getting it back into a GMF that I am concerned with. How do you go from GMF to MAX and vice versa?

Serge · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2009, 03:59:26 PM »

Well, to go .max to .gmf, you can use either the official exporter (for v4 and v5 only), or one of the exporter scripts.
To go back, it's impossible for now, although making an importer wouldn't be that hard, since I already coded a functional framework for GMF parsing.

Does the exporter group appear when you select RA2 Export Tools (or whatever I named that) in the rollout underneath the Run / Open Script buttons?

Gaminguru · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2009, 04:04:42 PM »

I get no changes. I may be doing something wrong. You said you tried the script with 3DS Max 2009?

I am no professional LOL but I am eager to learn!

Gaminguru · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2009, 04:07:25 PM »

Is your IM logged in? We can work this out there if you would prefer

Serge · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2009, 04:16:58 PM »

Ah, no, I tried it with v.9, 2009 = v.12 :D.

Yes, I am logged in to MSN and GTalk now.

Gaminguru · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2009, 12:50:03 PM »

Still no good Serge
Do you think that maybe the script is bad or the compiler is not working?