Topic: Converting ship model files into wallpaper for windows

[chrisb]

I really enjoy some of the models created for the mods and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to convert the *.MOD files into something that could be used as Windows wallpaper. Something like a JPG or BMP would work but I have no idea on how to do it.

[Core]

in game press F12 or PrintScreen which ever you prefer thats the easy way to do it the more complex way is to get the original files from the creators get 3dmax and render the ships there with some additional effects nebula's and the like

[Wicked Zombie]

You can't 'convert' a ship mod into an image as it's a stand-alone model, just like you can't convert a real physical model into a picture. You can only make pictures and renders with the model in it, much like with a real ship.

As far as that goes, it depends on what you're going for. In-game pics can be taken, as stated above. You can also import the ships into 3ds max (assuming you have the plugins for it), or some other 3d program (though that would require converting to other formats) and render them that way. The mod import plugin only works with some versions of 3d Studio Max and one has to have some knowledge of the program in order to make renders (if they want something more than a black background). If one doesn't want to go to all that trouble, they could simply ask around and see if someone would make a few images of the model or models.

[atheorhaven]

I really enjoy some of the models created for the mods and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to convert the *.MOD files into something that could be used as Windows wallpaper. Something like a JPG or BMP would work but I have no idea on how to do it.

Exactly as WZ said.. I'll give you a couple of examples with pictures though..

Here's the first method... taking a screenshot of a ship ingame:


It can give you some pretty nice shots, and if you crop out the SFC specific stuff and resize it up to a standard wallpaper size, it can look pretty good as a wallpaper.

Option two is to get the ship into a modelling program like 3dsmax.  Once imported into the modelling program, you can render the same ship you play ingame with backgrounds and lighting to create shotss like this:



A lot nicer.    However there is also a third option that I do from time to time.. and that uses Taldren's ModViewer and a paint program (I use Paintshop Pro 7).  You can load the ship up in ModViewer, do a capture of the ModViewer window, close ModViewer, and then fill in all the blue background in the capture with a custom texture to result in a shot like this:



Simply crop out everything except the area you want to keep, and scale it up to wallpaper size. 

That's probably going to be the next easiest thing next to doing a screen capture..

[Starforce2]

and ofocurse use khalibans connie or gafy's p81 rexture...the original looks dreadfull now.

[atheorhaven]

and ofocurse use khalibans connie or gafy's p81 rexture...the original looks dreadfull now.

The ship used in those shots is kind of irrelevant... just showing the methods.

And the one used isn't the original. 

[Darkdrone]

post what ships you like done as renders for i`ll do a few renders up for you then

DD

[chrisb]

Thanks Darkdrone, would you need to know which Mod package they were from?

[Mackie]

http://www.the-tcs.net/renders
if you like

[chrisb]

The model I would be interested in is the Federation DNG.