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Old 08-12-2004, 01:56 PM   #6 (permalink)
CodeCat
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands
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It's really not that hard. All that model consists of is a few spheres that are made of 4 segments. Each sphere is a bone. So you can just use a w3d importing script (look around for some links) to import the original model, and then you can just add a few of the spheres like they appear in the original model. To make a 4-segment sphere like the ones used for the bones, in RenX (gmax gamepack) go to the first of the tabs on the right, labelled "create". Click the button that says "sphere", and fill in 4 in the field that says "segments". Then just draw it somewhere by clicking and dragging. Its size doesn't matter, only the middle of the sphere actually counts.

Then once you have it drawn, it should be selected. Then in the bar on the right, go to the "modify" tab. Right at the top it should say something like "Sphere01". Type in some other name there. In this case you need to name them MINE, and there are already several MINE bones in the model, named MINE01 to MINE08 IIRC. So the next one you make should be called MINE09. Then there's one final thing to do to your bone, and that is making it invisible so the game doesn't display it (but it's still there!). Go to the last tab on the right, named "utilities". Click on the very top button, "W3D Tools". Make sure all of the bones are selected, then make sure the box labelled "Export Geometry" just below the column of buttons is NOT ticked.

That's it! You've imported the old model and have added a bone to it (or more than one if you repeat the process). Now save it as a .gmax file so you have a copy on hand in case it needs adjustments (and it saves you from having to import again). But to make a w3d out of it, you need to export. But don't worry, it's easy. Go to File --> Export... and then select W3D as the file type. Type in a name for the model (if you make it the same as the original, it will overwrite the original), then click save. A second dialogue box should come up. Select "Hierarchial Model", and just click "Export". Now you're really done, you have your w3d file! Just put it in Generals (or ZH)/Art/W3D. Then if you saved the model in a different name than the original minefield's name, you need to change the INI entry so that it uses your new model. Then start the game and try it out!
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