HowTo:Create Models

Add Ships

HowTos

Create Ships in Wings3D

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Creating a Model for Vega Strike

The previous page gives a very good overview on the entire process of producing a model for Vega Strike, and the process to insert your finished model into the Vega Strike architecture.

Here, we concentrate on the actual model creation (Part One). Please note that rather than creating a beautiful model (that we can't use as it doesn't suit the Vega Strike universe), we ask that you review the available information on Factions, Art Design and Descriptions, Vessel Descriptions and examine the lists for models still required. This will help ensure that your end creation can be approved as quickly as possible, and inserted into the official Vega Strike database.

Modeling Suites

There is a multitude of model programs out there to choose from, and we certainly don't advocate any one as the be all and end all program (they all have advantages and disadvantages). The program you use, however, must have the ability to export a file in either .obj or .xmesh format. While these can be used by Vega Strike, these formats are usually converted to a .bfxm format (using our own mesher utility located in the bin directory) for the fastest result. The others serve more as a transitory format during the design process.

The following pages deal with the create of a model using specific programs, and will be expanded as time and opportunity permits.

• Creating a 3D-model using Wings3D - includes general guidance for other modelling programs

Video Tutorials

BradMick demonstrates his simple and powerful "rapid prototyping" techniques for modelling the basic shape of a spaceship.

• modeling_intro.avi (1024x768, 375 mb)

Information dump

This is a temporary location of various Forum posts until they can be linked to appropriate areas, or their content incorporated into the HowTos.

Meanwhile, reading them will help the modeller understand the processes required to create a model and get it working in Vega Strike.

General

• Luddites = headaches Note: is now HowTo:Add Ships.

Artwork

• How can I disable reflections? Note: covered in HowTo:Add Ships.

• cockpits

The Mesher program

• How to use new ship format

• Helping convert starship models

• Form fitting shields

• Adding ships

• Converting xmesh to bfxm...

• obj->bfxm xmesh->bfxm bfxm->obj bfxm->xmesh converter

• New mesher GUI and frontend for windows

Wings3D

• Wings xmesh export not working

Tools

• List of VS object conversion scripts and tools Note: is now Development:Scripts & Tools.
  • Blender import script Note: is now at Development:Scripts & Tools.

units.csv

• Units.csv file details

• Can't add new ship to the game

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Add Ships

HowTos

Create Ships in Wings3D