Tutorial: Tips and Tricks on modeling

[Quanon]

Mod note: Tutorial posts copied from this thread. Please post any feedback or questions to the author there. ~M

 

 

Here's the download links to the tutorial:

Part 1 - Starwarsknights

 

 

Part 2 - Starwarsknights

 

 

Gmax Extra - Starwarsknights

 

 

 

Tips and Tricks on Modelling : Part 1

 

 

Hey,

 

I've worked the whole night on this first part. The last part might be a bit less clear Anyway, in this tutorial I attempted to teach you, new to modelling, on how to model. Yes, this is something for the "noobs, newbies, ...".

 

Whats in this first part:

• A long bit of dry theory, where I try to explain some basic stuff about 3D, not that it is that complex, but just so you now.
   
   
  
• You'll learn to model a nifty looking container.
  

 

That way I can already show some basic things and actions about modeling. It's a long read 31 pages, many screenies and such. And I'll admit, modeling is something you need to learn and its not one of the easiest things.

 

Getting used to an interface of a big program like Max or G-Max isn't that easy when you're on your own. Thats exactly what I try to counter here, I point to all the buttons, show off somethings it can do. In the end the ball is in your camp, my best advice in the end is EXPERIMENT.

 

Play and mess around with all the bips and bobs, you'll get an better idea what does what and how. I think after an end you'll figure it out when what where comes in handy.

 

One last nasty thing: G-Max looks different then 3D-Max, so you might have to look and search a bit more to find the same things, because the interface/GUI is different.

 

EDIT : No offense to the noobs, newbies. Ignore the Noob part, seeshh I sound like a fat headed nerve herder, apologies people.

 

Tips and Tricks on Modelling : Part 2

 

On the other note; I have just finished my second part, which tackles the Sword modeling, its long again, mostly because of the many screens!

 

Here's the link:

RapidShare

Starwarsknights.com

 

I think this will grow into a 4 part tutorial.

Part 3: a lightsaber hilt!

 

Tips and Tricks on Modelling : Part 3

 

WARNING *** Don't do the Planar map step in the part about UVW-mapping *** WARNING

 

Hey hey !

 

Found some time to waste and decided to do my Part 3 .

LightSaber hilts ; It won't suprise anybody that it strongly looks like

T7Nowheres tutorial , its just a bit more detailed on the modelling

instructions and a somewhat differant on the UVW mapping thing.

 

Anyway , just a warning , use MDlops 5.0 .

I almost started to flip when I could'n get my saber models in the game .

In the end it turned out that MDlops 6.0 alpha is "evil" on the saber part .

 

Just to let you know ,before swamping the thread it doesn't work .

Plus like always , this can be a buggy affair , don't give up on your first try .

 

EDIT 2 : THis is part 3 , so read part 2 or the G-Max version of it !

You'll soon notice that I speed up certain parts , because I "pretend" you know them already , so if you're in doubt , look into Part 2 .

 

This is mainly to the import and export of stuff in G-max / Max .

 

So here the links :

 

EDIT2: Removed dead end links. Replaced FileFactory link. Enjoy!

 

EDIT : Added extra Link to FileFactory :

 

Clicky3

 

I'm sure if one of the Moderators spot this they'll load up it up to KotorFiles / LucasFiles

 

Plus they can merge it with the older thread .

[Quanon]

Please can you make one for gmax.I tried to do what you said search the thing.But I searched everywhere and still can't find these:Ring,Connect etc.Please make one which explains with gmax interface.

 

Hmmz, I noticed this, since I chit chattered with DDD last night... I guess there's no other way then to re-work this tutorial a bit to fit G-Max better. I fear G-Max was a dumbed down version of Max 5 or 6, so there might be options not available, like the "Ring", since they were never included...

 

I'm not sure about this all though.

 

EDIT: I've been peeking into G-Max and... ow dear... I feel bad, I'm so used to my Super Deluxe 3D-Max, I'm like a dumb monkey in G-Max. Your right LordRevan999: there's no Connect and Ring. Jehebus, this means some serious manually handy work. I'll have to re-think this over.

 

EDIT 2: Quick temporary fix, for this Connect edges problem. G-max users, you'll have to Cut everything:

1. Go to select edge, look for cut. Then go into one of the View-Ports and start to cut, click middle mouse to stop cutting, click left again to start again. You'll need to fly around your object and cut between two edges each time.
    
    
   
2. Then you'll need to go into select Vert. You'll have to adjust each Vert, which you just created, cause of the Cutting. Fill in the box of the Z-value (most of the times). Use the Move Tool, to drag the Vert to the right height (what you like of course), look at the Z-Value, copy that over to all the other verts. And should get straight new edges. *The picture below is an example of bad cutting*
    
   
   

 

Still, I hope (very faintly) this gives people more insight into the 3D modeling thing.