[tool] mdb Importer for 3DSMax Under Development

[Michael_DarkAngel]

[tool] mdb Importer for 3DSMax Under Development

Yep, you read that right.In conjunction with my work on my RPG Explorer project, I have unlocked some of the secrets of the mdb format. In doing so it has allowed me to fine tune some of my previous work on an importer for 3DSMax.Here's a screenshot

 

[timpan]

wow this is great news !

 

[Gamewidow]

It is indeed! thank-you!!!! :wave:

 

[username_2075278]

:dead:

Yep, you read that right.In conjunction with my work on my RPG Explorer project, I have unlocked some of the secrets of the mdb format. In doing so it has allowed me to fine tune some of my previous work on an importer for 3DSMax.

Have you learned anything in the process which would be useful to getting a Blender importer/exporter working? There are things which are supposed to be able to allow the Blender to work with NWN models, but I haven't (yet) got them to work with the Witcher.And - might you be willing to share your code?

 

[Michael_DarkAngel]

Have you learned anything in the process which would be useful to getting a Blender importer/exporter working? There are things which are supposed to be able to allow the Blender to work with NWN models, but I haven't (yet) got them to work with the Witcher.

I'm sure that what I have learned so far could at some point be applied to Blender. But it has been so long since I have used Blender that I'm not sure if I would be the person to do this. As soon as I have ironed out all the details on the animation side of things I plan on adding the mdb format specifications to the Wither Wiki.

And - might you be willing to share your code?

There is still quite a few things I need to add to this before I feel it would be ready for public use. However it is written in MaxScript, so the code would be visible to anyone that uses 3DSMax.As an aside, this was written using a few older (pre Enhanced Edition) models as the test subjects. With The Enhanced Edition the mdb format has changed significantly enough that it will not import anything past the model base. That just means about another week of hunting through the format to find all the proper links.But sometimes progress happens in small steps. ;D

 

[st_ghost]

Have an oren for your good efforts for the modding community

 

[username_2075278]

Have you learned anything in the process which would be useful to getting a Blender importer/exporter working? There are things which are supposed to be able to allow the Blender to work with NWN models, but I haven't (yet) got them to work with the Witcher.

I'm sure that what I have learned so far could at some point be applied to Blender. But it has been so long since I have used Blender that I'm not sure if I would be the person to do this. As soon as I have ironed out all the details on the animation side of things I plan on adding the mdb format specifications to the Wither Wiki.As an aside, this was written using a few older (pre Enhanced Edition) models as the test subjects. With The Enhanced Edition the mdb format has changed significantly enough that it will not import anything past the model base. That just means about another week of hunting through the format to find all the proper links.

I think it's brilliant that you've achieved what you have, and everyone working on modding should be grateful to you (I certainly am). When you feel ready to release code I shall study it with interest.

But sometimes progress happens in small steps. ;D

Oh, definitely!

 

[Evolution101]

Yep, nice work here Mikey

 

[username_17]

I agree... that's good work and I would like to please you, to not stop here.As Simon said, we could use some code for Blender, because not all People have expensive programs like the 3D MAX.And to the "small steps": Yes, we all know....

 

[Michael_DarkAngel]

Remember them "little steps" I mentioned earlier Well over the past few days I was stumbling somewhat trying to figure something out. Namely, Parenting, Positioning and Rotation. It puzzled me for roughly two and a half days. No matter what I tried I just couldn't get all the nodes and meshes to line up properly. Simple static objects (like the Aardstone, or a barrel) loaded in fine, no issues. Started trying a couple character and animal models, something a little more complex, in order to start gearing up for animation importing. Well, things started coming in all over the place. What was working for the simple objects, no matter what I tried, just would not work properly for the bigger models.So, instead of getting anything done in the way of animation importing I spent the whole weekend trying to figure out what was warping meshes and dummy nodes all over the place. And much to my amazement, however closely The Witcher's mdb files resemble that of Neverwinter Nights' mdl files, I have to keep reminding myself that they are indeed... different.Regardless, what I'm really here to do is show you the next accomplishment, makes me wish I had taken a screenshot or two of my previous attempts at getting to this point And here they are...Geralt - The FirstandGeralt - The First with helpers (meaning all the extraneous bits and pieces necessary to make a model look good and do what you want it to in-game)Keep Watching... Animations will be happening soon... I hope ;D

 

[username_2075278]

Remember them "little steps" I mentioned earlier Well over the past few days I was stumbling somewhat trying to figure something out. Namely, Parenting, Positioning and Rotation. It puzzled me for roughly two and a half days. No matter what I tried I just couldn't get all the nodes and meshes to line up properly. Simple static objects (like the Aardstone, or a barrel) loaded in fine, no issues. Started trying a couple character and animal models, something a little more complex, in order to start gearing up for animation importing. Well, things started coming in all over the place. What was working for the simple objects, no matter what I tried, just would not work properly for the bigger models.So, instead of getting anything done in the way of animation importing I spent the whole weekend trying to figure out what was warping meshes and dummy nodes all over the place. And much to my amazement, however closely The Witcher's mdb files resemble that of Neverwinter Nights' mdl files, I have to keep reminding myself that they are indeed... different.Regardless, what I'm really here to do is show you the next accomplishment, makes me wish I had taken a screenshot or two of my previous attempts at getting to this point

This is SERIOUSLY cool - congratulations and many thanks!

 

[Evolution101]

Muahahahhaha!... Sorry, an evil laugh seemed appropriate somehow, awesome work

 

[Michael_DarkAngel]

Well, its been a couple weeks and I've finally got something to report.Skin, bones and animation are working... somewhat :'(A short 3DSMax render animation. Click on that link to download my brief little success video.There are 5 animations on the cat model. I can import all 5, however, everything after the first gets even more screwed up. And even the first isn't quite perfect, but real close. One step closer.

 

[username_17]

I love kittys... and yours is nice. ;DHope you go on with your work, have you found out something for the im/export to Blender yet?

 

[Michael_DarkAngel]

Hope you go on with your work, have you found out something for the im/export to Blender yet?

I plan on continuing this for as long as it doesn't kill me As for an importer/exporter for Blender... I did buy a book on Learning Python. However, I have a few more things I need to get finished with this before I think about starting a third project.

 

[Gamewidow]

you work is very much appreciated! -- i'm out of orens, otherwise, i'd give you one

 

[username_17]

you work is very much appreciated! -- i'm out of orens, otherwise, i'd give you one

I'll give him mine, it's a new week...

 

[korianous]

This is an awesome looking project, maybe we'll be looking at a Witcher TC sometime soon.

 

[Michael_DarkAngel]

you work is very much appreciated! -- i'm out of orens, otherwise, i'd give you one

I'll give him mine, it's a new week...

Thank you, you both are too kind.

 

[rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr]

you work is very much appreciated! -- i'm out of orens, otherwise, i'd give you one

I'll give him mine, it's a new week...

Thank you, you both are too kind.

I want to be a beta-tester, too!Very good work, i'm waiting for a full importer, the models are still waiting :evil: