Constructor -> TrueSpace ( or Dif to dts)
by Ryan Neighbour · in Artist Corner · 08/20/2009 (2:14 am) · 5 replies
Hey hey!
I'm trying to use Torque Constructor for my buildings but I need to have the end results be dts (collada's fine too). I'm using the cathedral file that comes with constructor.
Right now I'm trying to get from Constructor to Truespace but I'm having some issues. I'm using map23ds.exe so that I can load the file into blender.
Problem is that I lose all the texture info (at least I think I do, can't see it anyway) and that I can't seem to get from blender to truespace (I'd like to skip the blender step if I can, truespace is easier for me to get a handle on).
Anyone have any ideas?
P.S. Has anyone tried the collada exporters in blender? I've heard they don't work so well.
I'm trying to use Torque Constructor for my buildings but I need to have the end results be dts (collada's fine too). I'm using the cathedral file that comes with constructor.
Right now I'm trying to get from Constructor to Truespace but I'm having some issues. I'm using map23ds.exe so that I can load the file into blender.
Problem is that I lose all the texture info (at least I think I do, can't see it anyway) and that I can't seem to get from blender to truespace (I'd like to skip the blender step if I can, truespace is easier for me to get a handle on).
Anyone have any ideas?
P.S. Has anyone tried the collada exporters in blender? I've heard they don't work so well.
About the author
Just started an M.Sc. in Electrical and Computer Engineering during which I'll be investigating the use of Agent Based Models in the field of Epidemiology. Aside from that, trying to get my first indie project off the ground and having a blast doing it.
#2
08/20/2009 (2:52 pm)
I've never worked with map23ds or Blender, but I have made a trueSpace exporter for map files called mapExporter. The problem with texturing in trueSpace and Constructor is that a map file's texture space is much different from that of trueSpace (which uses UV space, same as other standard modeling programs out there). You can do a Google and turn up an explanation of Valve's map format, which will show you how they do the texture projections for the map format, and maybe that can help you. I haven't worked with the format for a few years, so I can't fully explain it except to point you to that doc. Hope it helps. 
#3
08/20/2009 (11:07 pm)
Why not just make the buildings in Blender? Especially if your using Torque 3D? That way you don't have to worry about converting between programs. 
#4
This means building in Constructor. Exporting to DIF. Placing said .dif in a level, and then using the Export Interiors to Collada menu command. I don't know if the texture coordinates will actually carry over though (kind of doubt it), but this could give you an optimized mesh better than what you could get through the map23ds.exe silliness -- 3DS is a poor format anyway despite it's near universality.
Possibly quite simpler to just use Blender. It's DTS exporter is near flawless, although Collada can be a bit problematic.
08/21/2009 (2:02 am)
Torque 3d has a handy "Export Interiors to Collada" feature.This means building in Constructor. Exporting to DIF. Placing said .dif in a level, and then using the Export Interiors to Collada menu command. I don't know if the texture coordinates will actually carry over though (kind of doubt it), but this could give you an optimized mesh better than what you could get through the map23ds.exe silliness -- 3DS is a poor format anyway despite it's near universality.
Possibly quite simpler to just use Blender. It's DTS exporter is near flawless, although Collada can be a bit problematic.
#5
@Willbkool: That's what I've started asking myself. Pretty sure I'm switching to Blender now that I've gone through some tutorials.
@Michael: Really? I'll have to test that out. Hope the texture coordinates work, but if they don't I'll just have to learn how to texture in Blender.
Thanks all!
08/21/2009 (7:40 am)
@Ted: I'll definitely check that out.@Willbkool: That's what I've started asking myself. Pretty sure I'm switching to Blender now that I've gone through some tutorials.
@Michael: Really? I'll have to test that out. Hope the texture coordinates work, but if they don't I'll just have to learn how to texture in Blender.
Thanks all!
Torque Owner Ryan Neighbour
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