gametechmods
Robot Arena => Tutorials and Tips => Other Tutorials => Topic started by: Serge on February 14, 2010, 10:04:12 AM
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Holy crap, I thought it was well known already.
YOU CAN MOD RA2 WITH ANY (>4.2) VERSION OF 3DSMAX. INCLUDING THE NEWEST VERSIONS.
Yes, that's right. There are two methods for using 3ds max to mod RA2:
- The OFFICIAL version uses Gabriel's GMF Exporter, it's VERY EASY, it does not require messing around with ASCII GMF files, but it works only for version 4-5. It is very, very easy to use (and very well integrated with 3dsm), but not only do you need to find both a version of max between 4.2 and 5.1, but also the Havok Exporter (not Reactor that comes with 5.0 and up). Even more annoying is the fact that those version are BROKEN on anything newer than Windows XP SP1. There are currently no tutorials available, but anyone familiar with Havok can use it (after reading tips on the RA2 exporter page).
- The UNOFFICIAL version uses dummee's MaxScript exporter. It's HARD to use, and requires some knowledge around ASCII GMF Files, but it works on ANY VERSION OF 3DSMAX. What the script does is allow you to export manually the "building blocks" of components, like display and collision meshes, attachment points, lights and it's up to you to stich them together into an ASCII GMF File and then compile them using a compiler, either dummee's (or a version by FireBeetle that fixes advanced materias) or mine. The procedure is explained on my wiki tutorial (https://gametechmods.com/RA2wiki/index.php?title=Creating_Components).
If I see anybody sayign that you need an old version of 3dsmax to mod, I'm gonna invent a way to rip out their balls via the internet.
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Set in place, Serge. All yours...
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"No Spam zone".
Please make only contributory 'content' posts concerning any step between "3dsMax" and the final "gmf/txt" product... This includes:
-Questions
-Input
-Feedback
-Tips
-Examples
-Critiques
(just stay on topic...)
And,...If you see anyone asking about this, please link them here.
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Wow, that is a good find once again Serge. I quess everyone has been just too stuck in the loop to not be able to even try the other options out.
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yay! Now to d/l 3DS max...
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nice work serge... after everything I went through to get the older version lol at least it seems to be easier
I still owe you big time for teaching me how to export... one and a half hours of your time was very generous to give up :mrgreen:
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You know if there's an exporter for version 8?
It would save me a lot of time .
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Can somebody upload Dumee's export script for max? Link on RA2 wiki is empty =(
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It is on the front page under tools.
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Oh, I didn't see it, thanks =)
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It won't let me open the links on the wiki...
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What links?
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for dummees stuff, i have a version where you have to do it the hard way
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Link works fine for me, it'll be your computer/internet.
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What's the export script called under tools on first page, see if i can get it from there
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Sorry to seem dozy but I cant track down a version of 3DS Max that incoperates the GMF exporter, does anyone have a link or know of a safe source to download it?
Cheers.
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Sorry to seem dozy but I cant track down a version of 3DS Max that incoperates the GMF exporter, does anyone have a link or know of a safe source to download it?
Cheers.
The recommended version (at least the one I used) is 8.
Depending on if you torrent or not, Piratebay has you covered.
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I previously used Piratebay religiously (is it even wise to admit this a public forum?) but Sky broadband have now blocked all torrenting sites, hence why I'm asking for an alternative.
Sorry it seems I'm being awkward, it just seems to be bad luck I guess. I cant stand being one of those members who has promise new content for the game and not produced it. To show evidence that i am producing something I have created 3ds models already using Sketchup Pro, there's just this hurdle to overcome.
https://gametechmods.com/forums/index.php?topic=15064.0 (https://gametechmods.com/forums/index.php?topic=15064.0)
If anyone does know of an alternative source or are willing to reupload the program after downloading it themselves then that would help a great deal.
Thankyou.
HB
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One word: HideMyAss
Don't know if it's verboten to post about proxies in the main forum, but I hope it isn't.
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Hello I've created shells and components using SketchUp Pro and saved them as 3ds files, I opened them in 3ds Max 8, used RBCollection1 to create attachment points and exported them as FBX then converted them using Leadwerks FBX2GMF converter but this doesn't work.
I know that the GabrielMax plugin doesn't work for my version of 3ds Max but I cannot find a viable version If anyone either has 3DS 4.2 to 5.1 and they're willing to send it to me that would be brilliant, I'm assuming that I would have better luck using them rather than the later versions. If not then can someone please advise me how to get this damn thing working.
(http://i39.tinypic.com/fbb1h4.jpg)
Cheers.
Adam
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Leadwerk's FBX2GMF was neither created for nor compatible with RA2. Even with 3DS Max 4.2 or 5.1, you would still need a rough understanding of Gabriel Interactive's GMF format (just enough to do what was suggested in Serge's tutorial).
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Hadn't noticed the link to his Wiki page before although Dumee's export script and the reference model's download links are either expired or unavailable and they are not available in the download section of this forum.
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Sorry to double post but I am admittedly getting impatient.
Because the links in Serge's tutorial are expired, I found Dummy's reference model in the downloads section of the forum but being unable to track down his export script, I have substituted it with Slider Export Script for 3DSMax5. Now with these tools being used and following Serge's tutorial I have got quite far, although after exporting the gmf, the tutorial states that i should have a text file appear but nothing appears anywhere on the drive. I cant really ignore this as I apparently need it for creating the attachment points, so once again help?
(https://gametechmods.com/RA2wiki/images/d/d3/3dstut7.PNG)
Before anyone asks, the random purple box is the collision mesh, It's just a wedged box for the time being in an attempt to keep things simple
(http://i44.tinypic.com/2ijjkgo.jpg)
Thanks,
Adam
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My sincerest apologies for the long wait. I had to sift through 7 years of RA2 material before I finally found it (it was quite literally in the last folder of my last backup).
I've uploaded it to the downloads section under the name Megabyte's RA2 Export Script (https://gametechmods.com/forums/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=180).
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Cheers Trov, a massive thanks to you for finding the scripter.
I've got one last issue with the model now...
(http://i43.tinypic.com/287lnxy.jpg)
I've managed to get the model into the game, although i haven't a clue how to skin it. But when i click attach the game crashes entirely. Its just problem after problem isn't it, so close as well!
This is the decompiled GMF incase it helps
http://speedy.sh/4zrNf/morg.gmf (http://speedy.sh/4zrNf/morg.gmf)
Thanks again and sorry about all this.
Adam