Since Ive started mapping for Source, I have lost alot of intrest in mapping, maybe because Im using other peoples Props? But anyway, I would like to start modelling, not only for making Source props, but just general 3D creation of that genre (Like even creating short films) and I downloaded Blender, and so far it seems quite nice (And the tutorials are good). WHat do you guys think? Can I create props for Source in Blender? And do you know of any websites/forums similar to this which deals with moddeling. I prefer the field of modeling, such as creating cool looking aircraft, machines and stuff, as opposed to creating 'worlds'. Are there any other modellers here? Do you think blender is a good choice, otherwise I would go XSI, but it is big and I already have a bit of knowledge in Blender (And I have Blender). Just give me general info on the whole topic.

I already gave you links to the .smd exporter for Blender and a
tutorial how to use it in the 'Begun Mapping for Source' thread, but
here goes again:

Here is a tutorial on making props for HL2 with Blender:

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Modeling_props_with_Blender

And here are the plug-ins. I don't know which one of them is the most
advanced, by there aren't too many of them so it will be easy to find
out:

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Blender#Plugins

---

''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

Thanks alot. That will be VERY usefull!
But generally, how many people here model? Obviously I might map from time to time, but I would prefer to make models, contributing to mods and maps.

---

Hahaha! Im using the INTERNET!

Fishy, nooba, ReNo(I don't know if he does Source though) and there are
others too, but can't quite remember them all. I model at times, but I
haven't gotten into Source modeling yet(which was my initial plan when
I started fiddling with Blender)... I guess I could do a couple of test
props someday, shouldn't be too hard.

---

''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

What is the difference between Source moddeling and HL1 moddeling?

---

Hahaha! Im using the INTERNET!

Not much as far as I know, although I haven't done either one of them.
Mainly the amount of polygons and the fact that HL2 models can use
normal maps.

---

''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

Uh oh, this may sound quite lame, but Ive already lost my appetite for moddeling :sad: Unfortualy, seems way to time consuming and difficult, and once I have a model, what can I really do with it? Obviously I can incorporate it in a map, but I wont have time for mapping if I model?

---

Hahaha! Im using the INTERNET!

:biggrin: Of course you will have time... Once you learn the ropes you'll be faster at it.

There's no point in quitting before you've even gotten started. Both mapping and modeling are time consuming tasks.

---

''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

Thats the problem... I cant have TWO time consuming tasks, can I?
Tis a pity I agree, but I seemed to lack ethuisasm when trying. i suppose because it is such a specialised field? I would rather incorporate the time into improving my skills at Gimp2 and thus creating some custom materials.

---

Hahaha! Im using the INTERNET!

LOL, mapping, modelling, then textures huh? You jump ship fast :biggrin: No harm having a play around and finding out where your interests lie though :smile:

There are plenty of people out there who both model and map. In fact, in many companies, you use modelling programs to build levels, hence the two are quite closely related. There isn't necessarily a NEED to do both, nor is there a need to specialise in one alone. Do what you enjoy, thats all the advice I can give really.

---

[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/sig/Default/reno84.png[/img]
Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net

Yeah, I love the way ReNo always has such sensible replies :biggrin:
Yeah, but unfortualy me being in school in Grade 10 blah blah not much spare time :sad:

---

Hahaha! Im using the INTERNET!

I'm a sensible kinda guy I guess :biggrin:

If you wanna play around with modelling, but don't wanna spend weeks learning some obscure software, you might wanna take a look at SketchUp...

http://sketchup.google.com/tutorials.html

Watch those video tutorials and you'll see how easy it is. I'm planning on playing around with it when I get some free time, as I've heard good things about it. You won't be getting models from it into Source (at least not without getting your hands on the pro version...which costs $300 or something), but it looks like fun anyway :biggrin:

---

[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/sig/Default/reno84.png[/img]
Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net

ReNo said:
I'm a sensible kinda guy I guess :biggrin:

I can recall a time or three where Master Duncan was... Less so.

/runs

whispers

"You sensible stud muffin you"

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

That program looks interesting - I'm downloading it right now. :smile:

I still use the low-poly modelling tool Milkshape for both HL and HL2 modelling, though I don't model much for these games anymore these days. The modelling tool is usually not the problem (unless it lacks some serious functionality like, say, the ability to animate), you simply need an exporter to convert your meshes and animations into .smd files.

// Just tried SketchUp. It's much like a sort of Cad, only easier. I feel it lacks precision and high-level tools, so it's not really a modelling tool but rather an architectural tool.

---

Create-ivity - a game development blog

lego

---

i eat paint

.....at my age, an erector set....

Doc B... :dodgy:

You like playing with your erections?

---

"If you talk at all during this lesson, you have detention. Do you understand?"

• My yr11 Economics teacher

/me giggles

Gotta love it when "Age" interferes with a joke don'tcha Doc.

Model construction- With Lego's, and Erector sets.

Oh well, even if thats not how the joke unfolded, thats how I read it.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

I recently got back into modelling. I started on Gmax years ago, but forgot about it after a while. It's a real shame Autodesk doesn't offer Gmax anymore, only a 30-day trial of 3D Studio Max. I'm a big fan of the max interface, but there's only one package now, and it's $3,500 USD...

Anyway, having these two or three time-consuming tasks (probably three since models don't look too good untextured), while leaving you with less time for each, will give you a lot more freedom in creating. If you keep a focus in your work and do lots of planning throughout the project (mostly at the beginning though :razz: ) you'll most likely end up with something you're damn proud of. Plus, your finished product will be set apart in most people's minds from all of the custom maps utilizing stock content, just for the fact that it's got custom content in it. That doesn't mean your maps will all of a sudden become uber good though :wink:

The way I see it, mapping, modelling and texturing an entire project from beginning to end is somewhat more beneficial educationally than just mapping it. It'll take more effort, but the payoff will be greater.

Some free modeling programs:
Maya has a free version, I've never used Maya, and I hear it's not as easy as many others.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=6902573

Softimage|XSI of course is the official modeling package for Source, that being said I don't like the interface much.
http://softimage.com/downloads/default.aspx

Milkshape is just fine for static props in Source IIRC, I've never used it though.
http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/index.html

Blender has been mentioned in this thread, it's only good for static and phys props since it doesn't have good SMD support. But if you're only using it for modelling props for your levels then there should be no problem :wink:
http://www.blender.org/cms/Home.2.0.html

Then for textures, the only free thing I can think of that would be good for texture creation is GIMP, GNU Image Manipulation Program.
http://www.gimp.org/windows/

---

o

Autodesk DOES offer G-max, but its linked to turbosquid where also the reg form and the help fforum aare stored,

sorry of you cant read it, the text im typing ius black and invisble to me.<html><head><link rel="stylesheet" href="themes/standard.css" type="text/css"></head><body topmargin=2 leftmargin=2>

---

RUST Gamedesign
pepper design

The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee.

the easiest way to get into making custom props for hl2 is to go practice making some for hl1.
the actual .smd file that you need to export from your modelling program (milkshape ftw) is the same for either engine, so a project like customizing some of your old tfc or cs flags, weapons, resupply bags etc, would allow you to learn more about model making, and less about the extra confusion caused by

• messing about with strange compilers and text files to make textures (hl1 uses simple bmp's)
• the need for seperate texture directories (the simple bmp textures can be embedded into hl1 models)
• what to do about accompanying dxlevels or lods to bloat the directories (good old hl1 models are stand-alone)
• all sorts of other weird s**t

fair enough, much of the 'weird s**t' is what makes hl2 possible, but producing models for hl1 is much less hassle, and still gives you a solid grounding for stepping up to hl2. (and a collection of models to port :wink: )

---

i eat paint