LightWave DTS Exporter v05-02-17 Released
by David Wyand · 02/17/2006 (4:15 pm) · 13 comments
I've just released a small update to the LightWave DTS Exporter over at Gnometech. You can grab the Windows and OSX versions from the Product page.
So what's new in this version? I'm glad you asked!
More than 8 Collision Meshes for TGE 1.3
Todd Pickens' RTS Environment Pack contains some shapes that have complex collision meshes. He ran up against the limitation in TGE 1.3 of 8 collision details within a single DTS file (TGE 1.4+ has removed this limitation). To work around this, I added a new feature to the exporter that will place all collision meshes into the same collision detail rather than one detail per mesh.
To take advantage of this, go to the Preferences tab and activate the Combine collision meshes into single detail level check box.
So for those that are taking advantage of Todd's great pack, you'll need to pick up this version of the LightWave exporter to export his more complex shapes.
Detail Map Scale
The LightWave exporter has had support for detail maps for quite a while, but you were never able to adjust their scale. Now you can!
On the DTS Exporter Material Attributes shader there is a new Detail Image Scale edit box that allows you to size the detail map independent of the base texture. This ability has always been in the DTS file format, but was not accessible to the LightWave exporter.
I've also corrected a bug with detail maps always being environment mapped. Now the default is to not environment map them. If you want to turn environmental mapping back on, use the new Detail image uses environmental mapping check box on the DTS Exporter Material Attributes shader.
OSX Bug with DTS Exporter Material Attributes Shader
There was a bug with the previous version of the LightWave exporter that would cause the OSX version of LightWave to hang when you attempted to open the Material Attributes shader interface. I've made some changes and have tested under LightWave v8.5. It appears that this bug has been corrected. Don't forget to update the exporter plug-in for both Layout and Modeler to ensure that you receive this bug fix!
Well, that's the list. Please let me know if you run into any problems with this version. Enjoy!
- LightWave Dave
So what's new in this version? I'm glad you asked!
More than 8 Collision Meshes for TGE 1.3
Todd Pickens' RTS Environment Pack contains some shapes that have complex collision meshes. He ran up against the limitation in TGE 1.3 of 8 collision details within a single DTS file (TGE 1.4+ has removed this limitation). To work around this, I added a new feature to the exporter that will place all collision meshes into the same collision detail rather than one detail per mesh.
To take advantage of this, go to the Preferences tab and activate the Combine collision meshes into single detail level check box.
So for those that are taking advantage of Todd's great pack, you'll need to pick up this version of the LightWave exporter to export his more complex shapes.
Detail Map Scale
The LightWave exporter has had support for detail maps for quite a while, but you were never able to adjust their scale. Now you can!
On the DTS Exporter Material Attributes shader there is a new Detail Image Scale edit box that allows you to size the detail map independent of the base texture. This ability has always been in the DTS file format, but was not accessible to the LightWave exporter.
I've also corrected a bug with detail maps always being environment mapped. Now the default is to not environment map them. If you want to turn environmental mapping back on, use the new Detail image uses environmental mapping check box on the DTS Exporter Material Attributes shader.
OSX Bug with DTS Exporter Material Attributes Shader
There was a bug with the previous version of the LightWave exporter that would cause the OSX version of LightWave to hang when you attempted to open the Material Attributes shader interface. I've made some changes and have tested under LightWave v8.5. It appears that this bug has been corrected. Don't forget to update the exporter plug-in for both Layout and Modeler to ensure that you receive this bug fix!
Well, that's the list. Please let me know if you run into any problems with this version. Enjoy!
- LightWave Dave
About the author
A long time Associate of the GarageGames' community. I run www.zworldo.com a free-to-play, browser based games site using Torque 3D technology.
#2
02/17/2006 (7:14 pm)
Shouldn't it be v06-02-17 Released we are in 06 now Dave. Heh too busy with Constructor to know the year?
#3
02/17/2006 (8:33 pm)
Doh! 
#4
Now, i need a tutorial on how to make detail maps , lol.. Do i apply them to the bump? spec? second layer in a surface?
..../ponders
02/18/2006 (8:40 am)
SWEET!Now, i need a tutorial on how to make detail maps , lol.. Do i apply them to the bump? spec? second layer in a surface?
..../ponders
#5
Thanks for the kind words.
Allyn
I'd recommend reading the changes.txt file if you're ever wondering how something works. Here's the excerpt from 04-04-13:
- LightWave Dave
02/18/2006 (10:47 am)
AaronThanks for the kind words.
Allyn
I'd recommend reading the changes.txt file if you're ever wondering how something works. Here's the excerpt from 04-04-13:
- Added in Detail Maps. These are usually gray-scale images that are applied over the coloured surface, often to "dirty it up". To apply a detail map, place an image into a surface's diffuse channel. This will cause a detail map material to be exported. Note that as of this date, the TGE will render the detail map in a second rendering pass. This means that detail mapped polygons will be rendered twice each frame.
- LightWave Dave
#6
02/20/2006 (3:12 pm)
Good deal, i just havent taken the time to upgrade yet. (and i must have missed that) looks like a good thing for a TDN article =)
#7
07/22/2006 (2:29 pm)
Hi i need a tutorial of dts exporter i have lightwave but i dont know how make objects in the dts exporter, please helpme
#8
07/22/2006 (2:32 pm)
i dont know how make a collision in the object, please helpme i need a full help in this plugin
#9
Looks like you are doing real good work out there, real service to the community. But I've been "LightwaveDave" for better than 10 years on the web, and It'd be a real shame and unneccesary for us to start being confused by folks on the internet. You don't want folks giving me credit for yiur good work, and vice/versa. No offense Dave, but just ask around, I had a "LightwaveDave's 3d Space site as early as 96, I'm not ready to give the handle up.
LightwaveDave Adams
10/05/2006 (10:06 am)
Dave,Looks like you are doing real good work out there, real service to the community. But I've been "LightwaveDave" for better than 10 years on the web, and It'd be a real shame and unneccesary for us to start being confused by folks on the internet. You don't want folks giving me credit for yiur good work, and vice/versa. No offense Dave, but just ask around, I had a "LightwaveDave's 3d Space site as early as 96, I'm not ready to give the handle up.
LightwaveDave Adams
#10
I also use Lightwave as my 3D app of choice and Blender if I have to ;)
01/13/2007 (6:56 am)
Does this still work with the TGE 1.5?I also use Lightwave as my 3D app of choice and Blender if I have to ;)
#11
I am going to have to put that to use soon.
Great stuff
05/16/2007 (9:46 pm)
Some how this is the first time I have spotted this post about you last exporter update Dave *banging head on table* ...I could have taken advantage of detail maps with my last pack..and the soon to be released update for that matter.I am going to have to put that to use soon.
Great stuff
#12
Help!! Thanks
05/17/2007 (2:07 pm)
Having problems getting this exporter to work. It's worked before but after a brief relapse in development and a renewed interest I can't get File->Export to show Export DTS. I've added the plugin but when I go to edit plugins and categorize by File I only get one plugin through ls2whatever.p when I should have 5.Help!! Thanks
Torque 3D Owner Aaron E
Default Studio Name
As an aside, I'm loving TSTPro. You've done a lot to help out the community and you are definitely appreciated.