Comments - Alf_Hari

For someone who's never gone near shaders before, I found it a very interesting and enlightening tutorial. Can't wait to try it out when I get a copy of Source.

Cheers

Yeah well, they need to get someone on the team who can rig up skeletons and knows the way animation files are used; I can't do this and I need advice from someone who knows their stuff about how to attack the problem. Once that is sorted, I could do more models and start animating.

I'd like to do some more work for you guys, but I'm going on a short holiday for the next week or two. I should be able to check this site occasionally, but I won't be able to do any modelling until I get back. Let me know your impressions of the screenshot I linked to in the previous comment, bearing in mind it is only going to be seen from a great distance.

For any type of modding, you might want to search for FinalBIG, a program for viewing .big files. It lets you extract all the files (code, models, textures, sounds, etc) that Generals runs on. Without a .big program, you can't start modding.

Use a program like Notepad to edit .ini code files.
Use a program like GMax to edit .3ds model files.
Use a program like Photoshop to edit .dds texture files.
Use a program like Audacity to edit .wav sound files.

All of those types of files are extracted using your .big program.

On another note, I've modelled and textured a M.I. Marauder suit, and I intend to learn how to do skeletons and animations to see if I can get a full unit going. If I can get my head around skeletons and animations I should be able to modify this model to create a M.I. Scout suit and M.I. Command suit.

Is this mod still running, and is there any possibility for a lightly-experienced 3D modeller to join the team? I would like to help out if you need some more people. Mail me at oliver.stannus@gmail.com if I can join up.

Yes, I did finish the model, although I should probably put some weapons on the arms! I still haven't got a clear idea of how to make a skeleton file and have it run animation files. If anyone on the mod has any experience of setting up skeletons, I could use some advice on what steps I need to take before I animate. Actually animating the files would not be hard for me, but I don't want to do that until I get the skeleton stuff worked out properly.

I would be more than happy to just stick to modelling and texturing, but it doesn't look like anyone else here can animate, so I guess I'll have to do it. Ideally, I should just model what you tell me, but you'd have to be very clear and specific (it's essential to be organised when making mods) to not end up with models that don't work.

Anyway, here is the model I've come up with so far. Let me know what guns and weapons to put on it. Then see if you can find out about skeletons and skins for damage (both of these I can do if the file organisation is explained to me). This model is a bit grey, but that can be changed easily.

I75.photobucket.com