experienced gmax/3dsmax users : quake3 - md3

daemonfoe

I've reached a few roadblocks with gmax while trying to learn how to use the program. My goal is to add a few animations to the quake3 upper.md3 model. (I have a working importer, and an exporter, but I can't be sure how well the exporter works until I learn how to use gmax properly.)

blocks:

1. how to properly specify multiple frames for exporting.

2. how to load an md3 with the proper number of animation frames (when I load upper.md3 it loads it with only 52 frames of animation, but if I import a 2nd upper.md3 it will load all of the frames.)

3. how to add a frame of animation w/o inadvertantly modifying the position of the models in the rest of the frames.

4. what I need to know about tags when deleting a portion of the model and leaving for example only the arms. (I'm making a weapon model and I only want it to consist of the arms, and not the chest.)

5. bone structures? is this easier than manually moving and rotating the objects? and if so, how do i do it? or can I set up the tags to work as bones/pivot points within gmax?

Raven

1. You make the animations as a complete model, you export each part (Head, Upper, Lower) as selected objects, complete with all of the frames. Don't worry Quake 3 will simply ignore extra frames it doesn't use.

2. See answer 1.

3. not sure, never imported one with any animation.

4. Can't remember how in Max, but I'm pretty sure you keyframe the frame you want to affect then go to the Animation Linker and set it so there's no Interpolation. (read the manual on how)

5. MD3 exports as a Mesh Deformed model, so no matter how you physically animate it.. it will alway export what you've done. Using a Skeleton is just a one hell of an easier way to animated for the artist.
(again read the manual on how to Create, Skin and Bin Skeletons)

daemonfoe

Ok, so far I've gotten everything to work, besides one thing. It seems as though the tags are exporting, but they're mixed around. The head is appearing on the torso, and the weapon is appearing on the head. It was all working fine before, so it has to be something with the export process... it is possible that I have a bad exporter, but there's no way of knowing unless I can find another one.

[ Edit: Nevermind, I figured it out, the tags changed order. I just had to do a little juggling. ]

Raven

heh ^_^ good to know you got it figured out

daemonfoe

One question about bones. Is it possible to add them after animations already exists? or will I have to reanimate if I want to use bones?

Showster

You can add them if the animations exist, but you will have to adjust the mesh skin / phsique modifier and also key frame the new bones to existings animations. Also don't forget to link the bones up correctly to the existing rig otherwise the modifiers won't recognise them and you'll have a hissy fit like I do.


Gluck Show

Btw I have an exporting to md3 tutorial if it wud be any use

daemonfoe

Eep, I think I might just have an easier time animating w/o bones. I'm only adding a couple animations, and I found it's not too difficult to just animate the vertexes.

I can get the model to export, but I guesss it wouldn't hurt to look at your tutorial.

Showster

Heres the tutorial, its on fileplanet sorry hehe

http://www.fileplanet.com/dl.aspx?/planetquake/rol/exportingtoquake.avi


Note these are additional Tutorials that cover some of the steps I haven't mentioned I have not created these text's but I can try and answer questions about them if you have them Smile

http://www.4thdimented.com/dimented_tutorialQuake3_1.htm
http://merlin.zsnes.com/tutorials/export/index.html
http://www.planetquake.com/polycount/resources/quake3/tutorials/Steed-Tut/MAX2md3.shtml


Good luck

Greg