plib-users

[Plib-users] Options for textured models

[Jasmin P. <jf...@mu...>]

Hi,

I wrote about a week ago about problems I was having loading 3DS models
with PLIB (both 1.1.11 and CVS).  It was suggested that I also try ASE,
but I got no further with that.  

James Barnard, a 3D artist, has offered to create models for my game Tux
Racer (http://tuxracer.sourceforge.net).  He's currently using 3D Studio
Max, and says that he'll get softimage soon.  So far all my attempts to
load his textured models in PLIB have failed.

I'd like to find a solution that works before he gets too discouraged
and goes away. :-)  My current idea is to buy AC3D, use it to load his
3DS models, and save them as AC.  I take it that PLIB's AC loader is
fairly well tested and works with textured models -- is that correct?

How good is AC3D's 3DS loader?  That will be a crucial link in the
chain.  (I don't think the shareware version allows importing of any
models from other formats.)

James also created a model with transparency maps (these are separate
images, currently).  Any idea if this will work?  I suppose I could
incorporate the transparency into the texture's alpha channel...

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Jasmin

Re: [Plib-users] Options for textured models

[Steve B. <sjb...@ai...>]

Jasmin Patry wrote:

> I wrote about a week ago about problems I was having loading 3DS models
> with PLIB (both 1.1.11 and CVS).  It was suggested that I also try ASE,
> but I got no further with that.
> 
> James Barnard, a 3D artist, has offered to create models for my game Tux
> Racer (http://tuxracer.sourceforge.net).  He's currently using 3D Studio
> Max, and says that he'll get softimage soon.  So far all my attempts to
> load his textured models in PLIB have failed.

We know that the 3DS loader has some problems with textured models - and
the author (Per Liedman <li...@ho...>) has indicated that he's willing
to fix them if someone will send him some examples of files that fail.

> I'd like to find a solution that works before he gets too discouraged
> and goes away. :-)  My current idea is to buy AC3D, use it to load his
> 3DS models, and save them as AC.  I take it that PLIB's AC loader is
> fairly well tested and works with textured models -- is that correct?

My experience with AC3D is that it's loaders for alien file formats
suck.  Dunno if that's universally true - but I wouldn't hold out
great hope.

I have a copy of AC3D - so if you'd like to send me your 3DS models
I'll try to convert them and send you back the converted models as
AC3D '.ac' files - which should load OK.
 
> How good is AC3D's 3DS loader?  That will be a crucial link in the
> chain.  (I don't think the shareware version allows importing of any
> models from other formats.)

Nope.  But I have the full version.

> James also created a model with transparency maps (these are separate
> images, currently).  Any idea if this will work?  I suppose I could
> incorporate the transparency into the texture's alpha channel...

It will work when we have the 3DS loader fixed.
 
Does TuxRacer load '.ac' models OK?

-- 
Steve Baker                  http://web2.airmail.net/sjbaker1
sjb...@ai... (home)  http://www.woodsoup.org/~sbaker
sj...@ht...      (work)

Re: [Plib-users] Options for textured models

[Jasmin P. <jf...@mu...>]

On Sat, 18 Mar 2000, Steve Baker wrote:

> We know that the 3DS loader has some problems with textured models - and
> the author (Per Liedman <li...@ho...>) has indicated that he's willing
> to fix them if someone will send him some examples of files that fail.

(Actually, in response to my email, Per said he didn't have time to look
into it.)  Dave McClurg has been very helpful getting ASE to work (turns
out there were problems with the way the models had been set up in
3DSMax), so that problem seems to be solved (thanks, Dave!).  I can't
confirm if there really was a problem with the 3DS loader (since I don't
have a copy of 3DSMax), or if that problem was also due to problems with
the models themselves.

> Does TuxRacer load '.ac' models OK?

No, Tux Racer doesn't load any 3D modeller's file formats currently.  

Btw, any idea when the next release of PLIB will be out (i.e, one that
will incorporates the ASE loader)?

Cheers,
Jasmin

Re: [Plib-users] Options for textured models

[Per L. <li...@ho...>]

On Mon, 20 Mar 2000, Jasmin Patry wrote:
> (Actually, in response to my email, Per said he didn't have time to look
> into it.)

Yes, thinks were a bit hectic for a while. If you still have the model, I'd be
happy to look into the problem now, it should really be easy if I just had a
textured model... (and as usual, I'm to lazy to find one myself).

Regards,
Per

-- 
   / Per Liedman
  / li...@ho...
 / www.mdstud.chalmers.se/~md6pl
/ 031-825659 / 0705-520455

[Plib-users] Help

[Matthew B. <Roy...@US...>]

Jasmin Patry wrote:
help