Help with Models (Google 3D Earth to DTS)
by AhTchian (Adrian) · in Artist Corner · 12/05/2006 (5:40 pm) · 10 replies
Hey, I could really use some help here.
I want to create a map with some realistic type buildings.
I have downloaded some Google Earth models, which can be imported into Blender.
From Blender I export the Google Earth model using the .dts exporter for Blender.
Long story short, it has been 3 weeks and I can not get it working.
I've got it creating a .dts file, but its only 1k and is empty when imported into the World Editor (if not blank, then just a flat plane with no real shape).
If someone can help me with the .dts exporter, great.
What would be better is if I can pass someone the files I want exported to .dts and have THEM get the .dts working for me and ready to just drop in. :-)
I want to create a map with some realistic type buildings.
I have downloaded some Google Earth models, which can be imported into Blender.
From Blender I export the Google Earth model using the .dts exporter for Blender.
Long story short, it has been 3 weeks and I can not get it working.
I've got it creating a .dts file, but its only 1k and is empty when imported into the World Editor (if not blank, then just a flat plane with no real shape).
If someone can help me with the .dts exporter, great.
What would be better is if I can pass someone the files I want exported to .dts and have THEM get the .dts working for me and ready to just drop in. :-)
#2
Honestly, I am not very knowledgabe in the 'hierarchy' of the models.
I do have a Shape (named Shape, as per someone elses suguestion), but I do not have any of the other things listed above.
The log file looks good, it says it exported. After I added the name 'shape' to my shape, then the log file complained about an 'exception' - something about a bone, or armature.
If I need to find out more information about the Heiarchy - I will, gladly! Can you please point me in the right direction? I've not found what I'm looking for on my own.
Thank you.
12/11/2006 (9:51 am)
Thanks for the reply, sorry for the slow response (out of town, work, as I often am).Honestly, I am not very knowledgabe in the 'hierarchy' of the models.
I do have a Shape (named Shape, as per someone elses suguestion), but I do not have any of the other things listed above.
The log file looks good, it says it exported. After I added the name 'shape' to my shape, then the log file complained about an 'exception' - something about a bone, or armature.
If I need to find out more information about the Heiarchy - I will, gladly! Can you please point me in the right direction? I've not found what I'm looking for on my own.
Thank you.
#3
Also, the models in google earth are far from nice...they are VEY VERY low detail, and the images are screen shots at best.
12/11/2006 (10:13 am)
I would not go down this road.Also, the models in google earth are far from nice...they are VEY VERY low detail, and the images are screen shots at best.
#5
www.users.on.net/~symes/gamedev/videotuts/videotuts.html
12/11/2006 (10:33 am)
These tutorial helped me a lot:www.users.on.net/~symes/gamedev/videotuts/videotuts.html
#6
Joseph: Thanks for the info! I'm going to be looking into that all this week!
Stefan: Thanks for the link. I'll have to check out the video tuts later (once I get to a high speed connection), since I only have dial up at home. Normally I just park out by an appartment complex and find an unsecured WiFi network and have at 'er. :-)
Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I feel I have some leads now on what I have to do, and I'm sure the recomended tutorials will fill in the gaps.
If anyone else gets struck with any brilliant thoughts, I'm open to those as well. :-)
12/11/2006 (12:39 pm)
Allyn: Agreed that some of the models in Google Earth arn't very purdy, but I just need something to Demo, and I'll worry about real models later. :-) Thanks for the heads up. Any sugguestions for good model sites? I'm looking for real world stuff. No sci-fi... Joseph: Thanks for the info! I'm going to be looking into that all this week!
Stefan: Thanks for the link. I'll have to check out the video tuts later (once I get to a high speed connection), since I only have dial up at home. Normally I just park out by an appartment complex and find an unsecured WiFi network and have at 'er. :-)
Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I feel I have some leads now on what I have to do, and I'm sure the recomended tutorials will fill in the gaps.
If anyone else gets struck with any brilliant thoughts, I'm open to those as well. :-)
#8
But i think allot of people here would most likely make you some, or, if its really just programmer art your after for prototyping...get you some milk shape and make some boxes =)
only thing i worry about is the legal side of using those that have been submitted to Google.
12/11/2006 (1:14 pm)
The google buildings were all made with sketch up... A pipeline to Torque, im not sure of.But i think allot of people here would most likely make you some, or, if its really just programmer art your after for prototyping...get you some milk shape and make some boxes =)
only thing i worry about is the legal side of using those that have been submitted to Google.
#9
Stefan: Thanks, checking it out now.
Allyn: Milk Shape Ah! "low poly 3D modeler".
See, I'm stuck in a tough spot. My first demo was basically square buildings and such, and people liked it.
So they asked for a 2nd demo, something to show off the engine a little better; but still more to the point than an orc running around shooting at stuff.
So I figured Google Earth has lots of buildings I can use (temporarly for the demo) without having to create them myself. With Milkshape, I'ld have to create my own models since it dosn't import the Google Earth models (unless there are free Milkshape models of buildings and such that you know of).
Thats why I went with Blender - it sounded simple. Import the Google Models, Export the DTS files, put in Torque, conquer the world. :-)
In the end, if I get funding, it looks like 3D Studio Max or Maya is the most supported... and I would probably take that route (unless MilkShape, Blender, or whatever works out better - I'm still new to Torque and this environment, so I'm open to suguestions).
12/11/2006 (2:01 pm)
Gotta tell you guys, I'm loving the feed back. :-) Been on other sites looking for help where it just wasn't there.Stefan: Thanks, checking it out now.
Allyn: Milk Shape
See, I'm stuck in a tough spot. My first demo was basically square buildings and such, and people liked it.
So they asked for a 2nd demo, something to show off the engine a little better; but still more to the point than an orc running around shooting at stuff.
So I figured Google Earth has lots of buildings I can use (temporarly for the demo) without having to create them myself. With Milkshape, I'ld have to create my own models since it dosn't import the Google Earth models (unless there are free Milkshape models of buildings and such that you know of).
Thats why I went with Blender - it sounded simple. Import the Google Models, Export the DTS files, put in Torque, conquer the world. :-)
In the end, if I get funding, it looks like 3D Studio Max or Maya is the most supported... and I would probably take that route (unless MilkShape, Blender, or whatever works out better - I'm still new to Torque and this environment, so I'm open to suguestions).
#10
Links:
quark.planetquake.gamespy.com/
collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?go=hammer
www.leadwerks.com/
12/11/2006 (2:08 pm)
If you are just looking at creating building, a csg (constructive solid geometry) modeler like quark, worldcraft or 3D-Worldstudio might also be worth a look. I found those to be easier to start, but I'm getting more comfortable with blender now...Links:
quark.planetquake.gamespy.com/
collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?go=hammer
www.leadwerks.com/
Torque 3D Owner Stefan Rampp