Recalculating Normals

[Gottfrei]

occasionally when you're editing models happens that shadows (affected by normals coordinates) are totally bad in some places. in theory "mdlvis" or "vertex modify" has a function to recalculate normals and fix that issue, but the problem is that they're doing it absolutely wrong.

any suggestions what kind of tools can correct that shit?

 

[General Frank]

I always try to export that part of the model to a real modelling tool. For instance, I use Milkshape for it and just use 'reverse vertex order'. Then I just use the clean tool and export the mesh again.

 

[Gottfrei]

bad thing is that "mdlvis" (in which I animate) recalculates normals each time the model is opened by it's own stupid algorithm. and even if I create mesh in any other modeling tool, all normal's coordinates will be destroyed after re-opening in "mdlvis".

 

[General Frank]

bad thing is that "mdlvis" (in which I animate) recalculates normals each time the model is opened by it's own stupid algorithm. and even if I create mesh in any other modeling tool, all normal's coordinates will be destroyed after re-opening in "mdlvis".

Hmm, I never experienced that in MDLVis.

 

[Gottfrei]

Hmm, I never experienced that in MDLVis.

lucky you.

 

[Gottfrei]

issues with normals happen not regularly but when it happens you can't do any shit to fix that.

 

[BallisticTerrain]

I used to have the same problem when I used mdlvis to convert mdl to mdx after exporting the model from 3ds Max. For some reason as soon as I brought it in to mdlvis the normals would mess up horribly. I just starting using the mdlx converter after Talavaj found out about it and told me. Unfortunately I have no solution except finding a different program to do animation in. Have you tried gmax? You can get it for free and you can use the neodex converter, which is even more powerful than warcraft art tools to bring it into warcraft 3.

 

[PROXY]

Mdlvis can rotate normals like vertices. In one of the top tabs, select view normals, and then you can change the "direction" in which they point by hand via the "rotate normals" tool. worked for me every time and didn't fuck up later.

 

[Gottfrei]

all information about the modified normals noted in specific mdlvis group called "MDLVisInformation" that never used by the game or any other model editors. you can check it by converting your .mdx to .mdl.

 

[PROXY]

What do you mean with never used?

 

[Gottfrei]

all your calculations with normals are valid only for "mdlvis".

 

[BlinkBoy]

Mind if you post or send me the model? I want to see if i can fix the problem with neodex.

 

[Gottfrei]

it's here: http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/models-530/demoness-238869

just uncheck "unshaded" in material properties for face and hands.

 

[BlinkBoy]

Ok after some time got them fixed. What I did was simple. First I imported the model into 3ds max with KMK's importer as static. Then I ran my neodex normals recalculator and exported it back with KMK's (would have used neodex, but it changes the order of normals and vertices). Finaly I copy pasted the normal information to the original model.

I recalculated the normals to almost every geoset (I missed one when exporting).

Btw, nice model .

About the tool: If you are using GMAX, import the model using KMK's importer (look in scripts and tools section in this forum), select all the meshes and run the normalrecalculator. It will print the normals to the listener. Just start copy/pasting to the original model.

 

[PROXY]

all your calculations with normals are valid only for "mdlvis".

That's not true for me. When a model of mine got messed up normals I edited them in Mdlvis and they were working fine in the editor as well as in magos.

 

[Gottfrei]

Ok after some time got them fixed. What I did was simple. First I imported the model into 3ds max with KMK's importer as static. Then I ran my neodex normals recalculator and exported it back with KMK's (would have used neodex, but it changes the order of normals and vertices). Finaly I copy pasted the normal information to the original model.

I recalculated the normals to almost every geoset (I missed one when exporting).

Btw, nice model .

About the tool: If you are using GMAX, import the model using KMK's importer (look in scripts and tools section in this forum), select all the meshes and run the normalrecalculator. It will print the normals to the listener. Just start copy/pasting to the original model.

THAT'S WHAT I NEED, MAN, THX! now I'll try it myself and re-upload model then.

That's not true for me. When a model of mine got messed up normals I edited them in Mdlvis and they were working fine in the editor as well as in magos.

which "mdlvis" version you are using?

 

[Gottfrei]

well the one thing script is doing wrong is on the picture below:

 

[BlinkBoy]

well the one thing script is doing wrong is on the picture below:

Weld those vertices in vertex modifier. Sadly the script won't work well with detached vertices. Here's a version of the script which will try to approximate normals in those cases, but it won't fix your problem, you still need to weld the vertices.

Here's the final product:

 

[Gottfrei]

this verticles are not detached.

 

[BlinkBoy]

this verticles are not detached.

Oh really? Then how come I can do this in max by simply moving them?

Just because they are on the same position it does not mean they aren't detached.

 

[Gottfrei]

sorry, checked old model. but how could this happen if they were already welded before and I only changed normals coordinates in notepad?

or not, lol. that's funny.

 

[BlinkBoy]

sorry, checked old model. but how could this happen if they were already welded before and I only changed normals coordinates in notepad?

Only one answer, it was already there. I checked the model which you provided. Normals wouldn't change anything about those 2 vertices not being welded.

 

[Gottfrei]

probably I was distracted and forgot to weld them, nah. anyway, thx for your help, man.

 

[PROXY]

which "mdlvis" version you are using?

The one from xgm.ru with the "somehow" english translation. Don't know exactly which one.

 

[Gottfrei]

The one from xgm.ru with the "somehow" english translation. Don't know exactly which one.

well good for you if it works. I couldn't do anything with "mdlvis".