Topic: SFC Modelling tools

[markyd]

Hi all,

 Are the modelling tools still available anywhere? Got a bit of a modelling itch I need to scratch. 

In particular, the Dederidex HP editor was always useful, but I need it all I think. Modelling manual, exporter etc.

Many thanks.

[Don Karnage]

The only software I'm aware are Milkshape 3D (not sure how it was spell?), but its limited. The other one is or was 3D max studio 5 with the .mod extension or patch?

[atheorhaven]

I still have some floating around on my hard drive.. not sure what all I have though.

I do know I have the official Taldren SFC3 tools and those stock textures, CoreEdit 0.0.3, Util5, then the Modviewer, the original SFC Ship editor.  I have a few around still.

Think I still have the gmax installer as well (Gmax 1.2) and those plugins.

[AlDaja]

Hi all,

 Are the modelling tools still available anywhere? Got a bit of a modelling itch I need to scratch. 

In particular, the Dederidex HP editor was always useful, but I need it all I think. Modelling manual, exporter etc.

Many thanks.

https://www.moddb.com/mods/sfciii-mirrorrorrim-v-10/downloads/sfc-game-modding-programs

[Panzergranate]

I use the M6 V1 SFC modelling & kit bashing tool. It allows one to create new ploys, if starting from scratch is required or a patch mesh needs to be built and manipulated to link parts in a kit bash.

It's pretty simple to use, once one has the hang of it.

Best advice is to build a library of textures, parts, shapes & meshes as it makes life a lot easier no performing "do overs" of common parts.

Contact me if you want a copy as it was a free download to support the game, back in 2001.

[MadmanMudd]

Hey Panzer -

I know you have that old mission program ... FSME? ... could I get a hold of that?

Thanks;
-Mudd.

AFTERTHOUGHT:

Does anyone still have the Niftool plugin for gmax that creates the nifgmax executable?
I REALLY need that ...

AFTER LITTLE TO NO HELP AND MUCH STRIFE:

I have a working system now so never y'all mind me ...

Thanks;
-Mudd.

[Panzergranate]

I do have FMSE backed up on several CD's and PC's, just to be safe.

The Compressed self extraction FMSE.EXE is too large to fit in attachments so I'll try zipping it in parts.

[MadmanMudd]

I thought I did too ... 
HA!

<stupidfathobbit ...>

Thanks!
--Mudd.

[Panzergranate]

I have the M6 V.2 SFC 1 / SFC 2 / SFC OP ship modelling & kit bashing tool as well. It can also be used to convert models between the SFC model formats using the "Piggyback & delete" method.

I create all my models using it. tricky to use but very powerful once mastered.

Anyone want me to post, then it speak up.

[Panzergranate]

I've been working on a Federation heavy frigate for the pre-TOS period set for 2235. Named the class after Earth's most successful & legendary naval captain in history, Captain Thomas Cochrane.

All the other ships in the class named after vessels he commanded for the British Royal Navy, Chilean Navy, Brazilian Navy & Greek Navy.

NCC 1040 Cochrane
NCC 1041 Speedy
NCC 1042 Arab
NCC 1043 Pallas
NCC 1044 Imperieuse
NCC 1045 O'Higgins


Thomas Cochrane was the inspiration behind the Horatio Hornblower series of books, TV series & films. Gene Roddenberry based James T Kirk on Hornblower & Cochrane.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Cochrane,_10th_Earl_of_Dundonald

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU-kFUJoJEU

Cochrane is worthy of a Hollywood action film or at least a TV series!!

[Bernard Guignard]

any screen shots ?

[Panzergranate]

Still have some work to do on the graphics, fit the hardpoints and test fly the thing I have already done the Ship Edit attribute details.

I have it on my Gateway 500 LS at the moment, where I do all my shipyard work  That's also my principle SFC and other classic games PC. It runs Windows ME (Migraine Edition).

I'll just post it for download when its done. Plenty of free time at the moment due the lockdown here in the UK plus the weather is too cold & sh*tty to be outside or in the garage working on my motorcycles.

I've heard that lockdown is hard on people not smart enough to have hobbies.

[Panzergranate]

Here's some of the SFC ship modelling tools I've acquired, during the past 20 years:

A Pair of 3D Studio Max plug ins for format conversion. (I Don't have 3D studio Max!!).

M6 V2 complete SFC ship modelling & kit bashing tool. I use this for all my models as it's very powerful. It takes some learning and adapting to, as there are many tricks and foibles to learn. It also requires a lot of patience to work with.

[Panzergranate]

To convert an SFC 2 model into an SFC 1, using M6 V2, do the following:

(1) Load The SFC 2 model.

(2) Select all Polys and Copy.

(3) Load any appropriate sized SFC 1 model.

(4) Select all Polys, then select one. (This is important!!).

(5) Delete all Polys. (The lone unselected Poly will remain).

(6) Paste in previous copied SFC 2 model (it is now an SFC 1 model, retaining all hardpoints. Textures will be for deleted SFC 1 host model though).

(7) Move pasted in model into position using the CTRL Vertex highlighter function to align.

( Delete the last remaining Poly of the host SFC 1 model.

(9) Select all Polys and click "Normalise" (synchronises the light & shadow direction). Select all Polys and click "Normalise Vertices" (locks all vertices).

(10) Save under new model name.

(11) Re-label SFC 2 model textures to match filenames of deleted host SFC 1 model to correct textures.

To convert an SFC 1 model to SFC 2 is a similar procedure except the host model will need to be an SFC 2 model.

[Panzergranate]

I discovered, yesterday,  that M6 V2 will also convert SFC 3 models to SFC 1 & SFC 2 (and vice versa).

[atheorhaven]

I still have some floating around on my hard drive.. not sure what all I have though.

I do know I have the official Taldren SFC3 tools and those stock textures, CoreEdit 0.0.3, Util5, then the Modviewer, the original SFC Ship editor.  I have a few around still.

Think I still have the gmax installer as well (Gmax 1.2) and those plugins.

Thought that I put these up in another thread.. but here you go again.

https://app.box.com/s/tv5qg79c2q8c30ln54wpyge34r98driv

[Panzergranate]

Great!!

It's only through modding that many old games continue to survive and flourish.

[Centurus]

Hey all!!  Sorry to be a necro poster, but I have to ask, anyone by any chance have the ability to take the old SFC plugins for 3DS Max and and re-engineer for newer versions of MAX?

I'm itching to get back to making ships, but I don't feel like having to work through a virtual machine to get an old copy of 3DS Max 5 running just to do importing and exporting of SFC ships.

I think someone once told me the Max 3 plugin files were also the source code?  Not sure.

It would be great if we could get new plugins for newer versions of Max. 

[Tus-XC]

go here... if i remember right you can use the tool import/export to .obj.  and it will export to .mod.  There is more in there than just the model viewer, but the model viewer is what you will need.   Thus as long as you export to .obj, a mod export is not needed. 

https://hotandspicyforums.com/model-browser-t27680.html

[Centurus]

go here... if i remember right you can use the tool import/export to .obj.  and it will export to .mod.  There is more in there than just the model viewer, but the model viewer is what you will need.   Thus as long as you export to .obj, a mod export is not needed. 

https://hotandspicyforums.com/model-browser-t27680.html

Long time TUS!!  Hope all is well with you and your family and loved ones. 

So this is basically the only way to do conversions to and from .mod format now.  Better than nothing, but I'd seriously kill for a programmer to compile new plugins, hahaha.