StarCraft II Models Archive — Models S.O.S.

[Rui]

I read somewhere that the Footman, Grunt, Ghoul and Archer would be included in Starcraft II as an easter egg. It seems that either it was speculation or a wrong information; either way, they don't seem to have made it to the retail version.
People attempted to do sci-fi projects in Warcraft III and it's highly probable that there will be attempts to make medieval/fantasy projects in Starcraft II. Thanks to a few Starcraft models included in Warcraft III, as well as the technological nature of a few others (Dwarfs', for example), there was a relative ease to transit from a medieval themed game to a sci-fi one.
In Starcraft II, though, there is little, with the exception the tilesets, of course, which can be used to make anything look medieval. Remember that we're not just talking about the unit models, but buildings, doodads and destructibles, effects, and projectiles as well.

With this thread, I want to ask who's planning to make these medieval-themed models for Warcraft III and keep track of the already made ones. I know I saw remakes of the Blademaster and the Demon Hunter, for example, but I did not save the links, so I'd appreciate if someone linked to them.

I may also keep track of other models, just so I'm not forced to edit a register of them* in some dark corner of the forum or in a pastebin, even if they're sci-fi, so do post links to all existing models for SC2 that you find, please.

Author	Model designation (by Rui)	Download mirror	Previews/Screenshots
Forsworne(@SC2Mapster)	1. Dark Protoss nonexistent in Wings of Liberty 2. Tassadar model with no glow	"Dark Protoss" "Tassadar No Glow"	Example: Dark Protoss Scout Tassadar No Glow
GnaReffotsirk(SC2Mapster)	1. StarCraft 1 Protoss Carrier 2. Protoss Shuttle 3. Zerg Brood Mother 4. Zerg Guardian	1&2&3&4. "Starcraft Broodwar Models"	1,2,3,4 -- all models preview
k10forgotten(SC2Mapster)	1. StarCraft 1 Protoss Reaver (made out of Sentries)	"Sentry Reaver (.max)"	k10forgotten's "Sentry Reaver" (large image) http://static.sc2mapster.com/content/images/26/48/SentryReaverScreen.jpg
Taylor_Mouse	?. Aragorn	1. UNAVAILABLE	Previews http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/members/9757-albums2216-picture47448.png http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/members/9757-albums2216-picture47453.png
Triceron (@SC2Mapster)	1. Orc Blademaster, Night Elf Demon Hunter 2. Zerg Tyrant, Zerg Harbinger 3. WarCraft Human Footman 4. WarCraft Orc Grunt 5. Skeletal Orc	1. UNAVAILABLE 2. UNAVAILABLE 3. "Warcraft Footman Model" 4. UNAVAILABLE 5. UNAVAILABLE	1. Blademaster & Demon Hunter 2. Zerg Tyrant + Zerg Harbinger 3. Warcraft Footman Model 4. Orc Grunt (large image) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Triceron/Grunt_Poses2.jpg 5. Skeletal Orc
UltiDrgn(SC2Mapster)	1. Worgen Marine	1. "Worgen Marine"	Worgen Marine (wide image) http://static.sc2mapster.com/content/images/29/361/WorgenMarines.jpg
Underp4ntz "Chrizz"(SC2Mapster)	1. Hybrid Zergling 2. Hybrid Hydralisk 3. General Horace Warfield of the Terran Dominion	1&2. "Hybrid Zerg" 3. "General Warfield"	1&2 -- Hyrid Zerg 3. General Warfield

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Joint-made models

Authors	Model designation (by Rui)	Download mirror	Previews/Screenshots
* mParfait * UltiDrgn	StarCraft 1 Protoss Reaver	"SC2 Reaver Model"	mParfait & UltiDrgn "SC2 Reaver Model"

 

[Darkyvm]

I'm definitely planning to do some medieval models, at least for my campaign, but they're still far from done, since I just started learning modelling (and making a high-res dragon with good anims out of nothing is going to be an absolute pita :/ ).

 

[Rui]

Good to know.

Only a single reply? I'd expect to have more. Strange how so few people seem concerned about this.

 

[Statharas]

Now now, i hope you won't steal Taylor's work ^^

 

[Xarwin]

It would be awesome having more of those models in starcraft 2 maps.

 

[MGCǂSpectre]

Are these a) imported from war3 b) modified war3 models ? x) Just so you know, those Dotas waiting to have some models will sure directly use these medieval models.

 

[Rui]

Models from Warcraft III have .mdx and .mdl extension, and Starcraft II's have .m3 (I think?) extension. On top of this, Starcraft II models use three textures, one of them being a specular map. So you cannot just export them from Warcraft III and import them to Starcraft II, no.
That is all I know -- I'm no expert in this field; from my point of view, those models seem to have some freehand put into them.

 

[mrzwach]

I believe the left model for each one is the WC3 one converted, and the one on the right is their remake in .m3.

 

[Xarwin]

So basically if you want to convert, you can convert the mdx to m3.
But doing so requires a reskin of the full model, no?

 

[Rui]

You can, but they'd look terrible and not fitting at all. The models I got screenshots from up there clearly have more polygons than the original. And yes, like mrzwach said, the bottom image on both of them is a comparison between the Warcraft III original and Triceron's work.

 

[mrzwach]

Yeah, but you would have to convert everything at once, or else low poly models would contrast horribly and look really bad compared to the higher poly models (even so, the extreme detail in the environment vs the 2003 era graphics for the units would be bad looking). Essentially, it would be playing WC3 in SC2, and if you want that, why would you want to create the map in SC2 anyways? :|

 

[Xarwin]

Well, converting a mdx and improving it might be a thing that could work in my opinion.

 

[MGCǂSpectre]

Models from Warcraft III have .mdx and .mdl extension, and Starcraft II's have .m3 (I think?) extension. On top of this, Starcraft II models use three textures, one of them being a specular map. So you cannot just export them from Warcraft III and import them to Starcraft II, no.
That is all I know -- I'm no expert in this field; from my point of view, those models seem to have some freehand put into them.

And? Let me tell you how he probably do it, I dont even have max, that's just a logical assumption: You take the war3 model import it in 3ds max, modify it to make more round shapes, taking the war3 texture you create a specular, diffusive, normal (aka orange/purple) texture out of the war3 one and then using a method like Mr Bob's thread you combine them. Thus, imported from war3, modified a little, created the other textures out of the main, imported into sc2. Unanimated im pretty sure and to the point - yes taken from war3, the shapes are obvious.

 

[Rui]

Lower the tone. I already said I'm no expert in this area; in fact, I know only the little I can absorb off occasional conversations.

I'd really like to know if there are any other models or modelers thinking of creating medieval & fantasy-themed works out there.

 

[pangahas]

The thing with normal maps, if done right, is that you could actually make a low poly lets say from WC3 look much detailed. So maybe wc3 models can be used as base models then do a high poly of it, project its normals to the low poly one.saves time instead of actually making everything from scratch..but then again I prefer doing models from scratch
Count me in, I'm planning to do lots of medieval/fantasy/steampunk themed models..(for SC2WC4 actually)..but since AFAIK there's still no tool to convert models into .m3 format which SC2 uses I have not yet started any..that and plus the fact that I have little to none free time atm..but a few props won't take much time so we'll see..
Well maybe a community project or something can be considered in the future..to recreate WC3 models or simply fantasy/medieval themed ones, modelers? texture artists?

 

[Triceron]

If you have the right tools, you can definitely transfer any Warcraft 3 unit into Starcraft 3.

WoW support is functional now as well, and the models in WoW are a lot closer to SC2 polycounts than Warcraft 3 would be. The main things that are missing would be specular and normal maps, which would have to be created/added; but for the most part WoW models seem to look pretty decent in SC2 as is.

As for normal maps for Warcraft 3 units, I would sort of advise against it. Many aren't even UV'd properly to allow the normal map detail to show. It's easier to rebuild new meshes.

 

[pangahas]

As for normal maps for Warcraft 3 units, I would sort of advise against it. Many aren't even UV'd properly to allow the normal map detail to show. It's easier to rebuild new meshes.

I agree.. and for me it is much more fulfilling to make something from scratch rather than edit old ones.agree?

 

[Direfury]

When somebody brings about SC2 modding tools and tuts, I intend to be among the first to start a darker, grittier WC remake.

 

[pangahas]

Less cartoony looking perhaps?

 

[Direfury]

...that's what I said.

 

[pangahas]

found this>http://www.sc2mapster.com/assets/m3-export-plugin-3ds-max/
might give it a try..

 

[Direfury]

Unfortunately, I use Milkshape.

Besides, I'm talking about, say... Magos' Model Editor, retooled for SC2, or something vaguely similar.

 

[Deolrin]

Well, you could never use Milkshape to model for SC2, that's for sure. It's far too limited, especially on the material side, and it doesn't even supports square polygons.

 

[Direfury]

Well that is... problematic. I'll just have to wait until another method comes about.

Again, preferably an SC2 counterpart to Magos' Model Editor & Oinkerwinkles tools.

 

[MGCǂSpectre]

It would be easy if they made a Magos-like tool for sc2 that can import ms3d. War3Model editor can import ms3d if they wont make an m3 exporter for ms3d. But if all are saying it is not of use anymore, how useful will be Blender?

 

[Triceron]

Blender is vastly more powerful than Milkshape, and supports more features required by current gaming tech. NiNtoxicated01, the creator of the current .M3 exporter for Max and .MDX/L converters for Max, has a poll on SC2mapster about making plugins for Blender.

TBH if Hive doesn't take a stronger stance on SC2 modding, I don't really see a point wasting time here when all the necessary resources and active community is readily available at SC2mapster. Hive will always be valued as a War3 modding source, but for serious SC2 modding, I recommend moving on to where it matters.

- Update - It appears a working exporter for Blender has been created by Stante.

http://www.sc2mapster.com/assets/blender-m3-plugin/

 

[MGCǂSpectre]

You mean it's better to use blender because it has extra features - blender with others and blender vegies? 3ds max doesnt have it!

 

[Triceron]

I'm saying milkshape is crap.

I don't use Blender, nor do I support it; but it's a better alternative than Milkshape (If you really don't want to use 3ds Max) for serious SC2 modding.

 

[MGCǂSpectre]

The prob with 3Ds Max is, some of us are not some serious modelers. Some would do models casually and rarely. 1.5 GB and tons of tools and things to learn that some will never use, that's too much for a casual modeler and that's what 3DS max is.

For war3 it isnt crap. I've always liked Milkshape, 17MB and you can work so easily with it. I joke with Blender cause it has interesting associations as you can see. Such lame name not to say a new program, I wouldn't like it. But if Gmax is not an option then I'd definitely go with Blender. I heard Gmax not so good choice or apparently the majority in sc2 would use 3ds max or blender like in war3 it was 3ds max or ms3d.

 

[Avex]

[News?] First Sc2 Custom Model Almost Finished!

The model is a Zerg Unit and uses the Crypt Lord animations (Which is kinda cool, how it crosses games like that.) Called the Zerg Tyrant.

Here's a picture:

Here's a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D88LOd_pWt8&feature=player_embedded


And he's apparently making some new human-zerg male guy.. thing called the Zerg Harbinger.

Original thread:

http://forums.sc2mapster.com/development/artist-tavern/10783-showcase-custom-zerg-models/

 

[mrzwach]

actually the first model that was finished was a starship troopers alien model made a few months back, during beta.


@second model, cough mass effect cough.

 

[Dark Hunter1357]

awesome
the zerg tyrant looks like a queen ultralisk combo

 

[Triceron]

The Tyrant isn't the first custom model, there have been others before it.

The Starship Troopers model, however, isn't the first one. The youtube clip for it was posted on Jul 17. I had a custom unit with animations a full month before that unit was posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PgunmkEgTc

 

[Statharas]

LOL. We should name it a Zerg King or something... Use his ability on the queen, so that she can create her own larva that follow her!

 

[X-OMG-X]

LOL. We should name it a Zerg King or something... Use his ability on the queen, so that she can create her own larva that follow her!

I laughted when i read the part about the abillity lol.

 

[Tyranid]

They're both really good, althought the Tyrant's legs bother me a little.

 

[Freyleyes]

looks awesome

 

[Statharas]

Queen and Tyrant, sitting in the Hive,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
First come drones, then come Zerglings!
Then comes Larvae, Near the lil hivah!
Spawning a hydra, spitting a roach!
Doing, the Hula Hula /dance!

 

[Avex]

Queen and Tyrant, sitting in the Hive,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
First come drones, then come Zerglings!
Then comes Larvae, Near the lil hivah!
Spawning a hydra, spitting a roach!
Doing, the Hula Hula /dance!

..Wat.

 

[Zwiebelchen]

Looks like some reskinned models from other games to me. But still good work.

Why did the creator didn't bother to create new animations for the models? It's not that hard to make once you did all the bone skinning and stuff.

 

[Dark Hunter1357]

Looks like some reskinned models from other games to me. But still good work.

Why did the creator didn't bother to create new animations for the models? It's not that hard to make once you did all the bone skinning and stuff.

because it is that hard (for this specific model at least)

 

[Aslit]

anyone knows how to convert war 3 models to be used in star 2, i have 3ds max 2011 but it wont read the format, any plugin that i could use or other program?

 

[Jack_Sparrow93]

Anyway, it was cool

 

[StormWarriors2]

I want Terran customs >.>

 

[Avex]

I just want them to make models for all the old Sc1 units, I'll be happy.

 

[Bigkoolal]

I'd like to Model, but where can I find a good Modelling programs that can Export SC2 Models?

 

[Zwiebelchen]

I'd like to Model, but where can I find a good Modelling programs that can Export SC2 Models?

Get 3ds max 2010 and use the export plugin from sc2mapster. Damn we need a FAQ about this ...

 

[Triceron]

Looks like some reskinned models from other games to me. But still good work.

Why did the creator didn't bother to create new animations for the models? It's not that hard to make once you did all the bone skinning and stuff.

The Tyrant is completely my own design and creation, nothing was used from other Zerg units.

My goal for this unit is to try and produce a model that would fit seamlessly into Starcraft 2. Creating bones and animations is not hard, but it is time consuming. The exporter also does not support rigging tools such as Biped or CAT, so the animation process using Max's basic tools would take me much longer to create, as I am not a Max user. Reusing animations saves me time, time I am using to create more models.

 

[Deolrin]

Triceron, they both look great; the Harbringer looks like an infested commander, e.g. one that Kerrigan created to serve as a field commander or second-in-command to her. (According to the Wiki, Kerrigan always tried to do what the overmind did and create a 'perfect' infested human like herself, only that she was going to make sure it has a lot less power\influence than herself)
On a side note, it reminds me a lot of the Gestalt(Protoss-terran hybrid created by Dominion scientists), according to its appearance on the Wiki at least. ^^

 

[noob134]

someone should convert the high-res models for wc3 and add the special textures for sc2 so you could have tilesets as well as a set of doodads for medieval maps