Topic: Advice on Model Format

[intermech]

I'm looking for some advice on model formats. I am starting to develop an online repository for my models. I want to release them in a generic format that people can use to convert to future game formats. I have Milkshape and want to export to the most universal format that will retain light maps. Any suggestions?

[Terradyhne]

i suggest to use Wavefront Obj-format it supports longer texture-file names and doesn't mess up the polyshading, after rewelding vertexes in the mesh, like 3ds-format does.
Milkshape exports to this format and for most version of max there is an importer plugin available, but 3ds is easier to handle in most modelling programms.

[intermech]

Thanks guys. It seems 3ds and obj both drop the light map. I could include it in the file and let the person downloading deal with it. In fact, if I do that, I could do bump and speculate maps while I'm at it.

[markyd]

Since your happy to release why not just release the 3ds.max .scene file also?

[wancow]

Thanks guys. It seems 3ds and obj both drop the light map. I could include it in the file and let the person downloading deal with it. In fact, if I do that, I could do bump and speculate maps while I'm at it.

I wouldn't worry too much about the issues you have here.  I use DAZ Studio for  rendering and I have to do a lot of tweaking to get a render looking good in the first  place with maps.

My pref is Wavefront OBJ.  IMHO it's the easiest to use and more hobbyists have access to it.

[admiral horton]

Yeah do bump and specular maps
I know in DAZ it will export a model in .obj and convert all maps with it