A noob in need of help.

[BloodElf53]

Help! I'll bet this has been asked before but here it goes. I can make models in a moddling program called AC3D but I want to give them animations how do I do that? Would I need to buy 3DS MAX for that or is there some cheap or free program that I could use.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sopho]

Some modelling programs do not offer animations for models. They may in the future however. 3ds Studio Max does let you to add animations to your model. I heard that a new tool, 1500 times cheaper than 3ds Studio Max is released a few weeks ago. Its called 3D CANVAS and it can add animations to your models

 

[BloodElf53]

Thanks I'll go check that out.

 

[Sopho]

You can download the trial version which offers no time limitations but lesser features. www.download.com > 3D CANVAS search.

 

[BloodElf53]

Do you know how much it costs? I can't find that anywhere.

 

[Sopho]

PRO Version (compitable with wc3) is around $70
It adds the following:

More tools
Plugins
Bonus features
More than 10 import/export model formats.

For www.download.com 's 3D Canvas page, there should be the company's website link on the table.

 

[oz02]

Or you can just use Gmax, which is a free modeling program made by discreet (www.discreet.com). It's basically a stripped down version of 3ds max, but still almost as good.

 

[ColdFusion]

How would i attach a different sword to say the Arthas w/Frostmorne model, Replacing Frostmorne with another sword, please help

 

[Sopho]

You would alpha out Arthas's weapon and attach a sword model via triggers.

 

[ColdFusion]

just out of curiosity, what triggers do i use?

 

[Sopho]

You would use the action - Special effect - Attach special effect on unit

 

[GreyArchon]

You would use the action - Special effect - Attach special effect on unit

Or, much more easily, you make a custom "orb of fire" unit ability, and change the graphic from the little rotating fireball to the object you want.

 

[ColdFusion]

well the trigger works, but how do i get rid of frostmorne? its still there

 

[Sopho]

well the trigger works, but how do i get rid of frostmorne? its still there

You can't get rid of it via triggers. You'll have to extract the skin and alpha the frostmorune sword out.

 

[BloodElf53]

@oz02
How do I get a identification code?

 

[Sopho]

You register (give them your real e-mail) and they'll send you the code.

 

[Sever.2]

So... about this "3D Canvas". Its Freeware right? If so, Does it got, or can you point me out to a converter that converts the model file to .mdl. Heh.... I beleive if I had the right tools, i would not be a half bad 3D modeler. Please respond asap, cause im gettin bored.

 

[Sopho]

You won't be able to do much and get it working on wc3 because 3D Canvas doesn't have the key features for that. It is free and you can do models with it but if your go for 3D Canvas Pro (which is around $70) and its compitable with wc3.

 

[BloodElf53]

How do I download Gmax from discreet? I looked everywhere and all I found was a way to download it from turbosquad, and I noticed some people on the forums saying that if you download it from turbosquad than it was messed up and if you got it from discreet it was fine. Can someone please give me a link to a URL that I can download Gmax from?

 

[Sopho]

DOWNLOAD HERE: http://files.turbosquid.com/Products/L567271/XFM83W83US/gmax12.exe

 

[oz02]

I don't think discreet has it uploaded on their site. Downloading it from turbo squid should work just fine, I downloaded it that way and it works perfectly.

 

[BloodElf53]

Oh, good I just found a special thing, it said that there regstering thing was down and they had a link to get a code. So I got that now.

@oz02
How do I do give a unit animations?

 

[oz02]

This tutorial should help you learn how to animate.

 

[BloodElf53]

Thanks for all the help, but I have one more thing. how do I convert a .gmax to .mdx? I have programs to deal with .mdl and .3ds but not .gmax

 

[oz02]

Well, if you read the tutorial I gave you, it mentions a MAXScript called 'DeX Script that exports models as mdl. You can find 'DeX Script with a simple search on Wc3Campaigns' forums and learn how to use it in the tutorial.

 

[BloodElf53]

Ya, I saw that but couldn't think how to get it. Thanks for all the help.