Starship Modeling Questions

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi. I have begun to model starship parts in anticipation of getting the game. I have a few questions and I would appreciate knowledgeable replies.
1) In the manual it says that you can replace models but it does not say that you can simply add new models. Can this be done or can you only replace?
2) Does the .x format contain texture/material/shader information?
3) How can we add things like blinking lights and attachment points? Say I want to make a bar that you can put a whole bunch of sensors on. Obviously I would need attachment points for the sensors on the bar. Can this be done?
I have more questions but I will wait. Thanks if you can answer!
11,159 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hey satasha, glad to hear some users are interested in making additional jewelry for the game. I'll try and answer these the best I can...

1.) We're currently working to get a directory that players will be able to plop new X files into and the game will read them as valid peices of jewelry. This will hopefully make it in for the bonus pack. There are other ways to get your models into the game, but i suggest waiting until this is working before doing so (otehrwise the files may get overwritten when doing updates).

2.) When exporting the X file info we really just include the Texture information. All the other necessary info is pulled from there. I'll try to make a more comrehensive guide to how ship textures are handled by release (the colorizing process can be fairly tricky).

3.) Attachment points are easy, but blinking lights probably wont work (would need to add code). To make an attachment point, just place a "Dummy" object in the scene and the game will read that as being an "Attachment" point. Again, theres more to this that I'll cover in some sort of Modding guide before the game is out.

Thanks for your interest! Let me know of any other issues you'd need touched on so modding the game can be as painless as possible (perhaps we can even include an in-game tutorial) 

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
1) You can have as many new models as you wish. The core models cannpt be changed or deleted but there is no limit on user options.

2) don't know that one but the ships can be colorized on the full spectrum.

3) The bar that you mention is available as an extra. Lights are available but they don't blink.

There are many attachment points but wouldn't you know, they leave off the one that I need. There are ways to alter attachment points but no way to create a new one that I am aware.

I am sure the more inventive among us will soon have mods to do all this and more.
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks for the replies! I will wait for the mod guide for further clarifications such as what a "dummy" object is and how colors/textures will be handled. I am psyched about this game and creating mods for it. I am sure I will have lots of questions unless the mod guide is clear as glass. Thanks again!
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

What 3d program do you plan to be working in, satasha? The exporter we used is available for 3dMax and Maya...will it be one of those 2 programs? Or something else?

 

Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Right now I am coming to grips with modo but I can convert obj to .x using a converter program. If that doesn't go smoothly then I will look into 3dMax and Maya although I have heard the learning curve on those progs are insane. I wish bryce would export! Is there a special export plugin you are using?
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
There is a .x exporter for Blender, though I've not tested to see how well it handles things (I know the importer seems to lose the UV data in the stock GC2 models, but hopefully it exports alright).

If that does work, then anyone can make GC2 models for free