**Tutorial** - DIY ships with Destructible Parts using SUR S
a tutorial by yours truly, Cold_Void
this an ADVANCED TUTORIAL about converting a single-mesh ship to have all the features of a stock ship(destructible wings, wireframes, SUR), not for the beginning modder who has never exported a model!
vocabulary:
code-hardpoint- a single triangle, tells the ms3d exporter how to orient, name, and nest hardpoints in models
model-hardpoint- a model of a hardpoint mount, this is the block-thing with yellow hazard stripes that code-hardpoints are located over for equipment items
mesh - a milkshape model group
part - a freelancer Compound Part - it can be made up of several meshes, or just one, and it's usually destructible (1d.)
.vms - the parent node of the VMeshData in UTFedit
.vwire - wireframe data
.3db - a simpler form of cmp, requires an additional exporter
.cmp - a compound model for the game freelancer
.sur - a SURface file for detecting hits
req. software:
Milkshape 3d modeling software required! you get 30 days free, and its only $20 to purchase
Modding tools by Colin Sandby:
a. .cmp exporter
b. .mat exporter
c. HardCMP hardpoint editor/model and SUR preview
d. .3db exporter
Other tools:
Tools by Dev (aka Devast8or)
e. SUR splicing tool
f. Dev's makewire (wireframe-generating application)
Essential tools:
g. SUR exporter compiled binary (thank you Argh, you're a saint!)
h. UTFedit v3 (recommended but not necessary, it's just more convenient than Mario's old build)
(note: i have talked to both Colin and Mario indirectly and directly in emails and confirmed we are free to redistribute either program under 1. defacto GPL rules and 2. explicit permission from both programmers)
optional software:
a. Open Command Window Here "XP powertoy" it allows you to open a ms-dos command window in any folder with a right click
videos:
in-game video of my first ship with destructible parts
in-game video of my second ship (Tron recognizer) with destructible parts, showing how they break off
Edited by - Cold_Void on 8/2/2007 7:14:09 PM